SPCA Serving Erie County Offers Virtual Field Trips and Tours to Classrooms and Other Groups
April 1, 2021
By: SPCA Chief Communications Officer Gina Lattuca
SPCA Pop-Up Quiz:
My classroom cannot take a field trip to the SPCA.
___True ___False
Your answer:
True
Our response:
Think again!
Right now, the SPCA Serving Erie County is offering virtual field trips and tours for school classrooms, homeschool groups, after-school programs, scouting groups, camp groups, and more!
A $50.00 tour fee will virtually bring participants to the SPCA’s 300 Harlem Rd., West Seneca shelter, where everyone will “visit” adoptable animals, Educational Farm permanent and temporary residents, wild animals receiving treatment in the Wildlife Department, enjoy an up-close-and-personal meeting with one of our animal ambassadors, and more!
Virtual tours can be personalized to showcase specific animals or subjects that tie in with classroom lessons and group needs, and can even include a virtual scavenger hunt!
Tours last approximately 30 minutes. For more information on virtual field trips and tours, please contact SPCA Humane Educator Katherine Gillette-Cockerill at KatherineG@yourspca.org, or (716) 875-7360, ext. 234.
CLICK ON THE IMAGE BELOW FOR INFORMATION ON THESE BEHAVIOR ASSISTANT JOB OPPORTUNITIES:
SPCA Officers Rescue Swan from Busy Highway After Concerned Drivers Report Sightings
March 11, 2021
By: SPCA Chief Communications Officer Gina Lattuca
UPDATE, MARCH 12: Members of the SPCA Wildlife Department will continue speaking with representatives of the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) regarding the mute swan rescued two days ago. On a DEC informational website page found here, the organization states that it recently adopted regulations listing the mute swan as a “prohibited” invasive species, which prohibits the sale, importation, transport, or introduction of this species in New York. More information can be found on the DEC website.
There was no ‘swan song’ for this gorgeous bird last night, thanks to watchful drivers and SPCA animal rescue officers. Side note to those caught in this rush hour back-up yesterday evening on the I-90 near the I-290: at least now you’ll know it was for a good reason!
T
he SPCA Serving Erie County started receiving calls late yesterday afternoon from concerned drivers about what appeared to be a large swan seen at various places along the I-290.
At dusk, SPCA officers Jasil Ivory, William Heine, and Leanne Webb (celebrating her second day on the job!) were finally able to capture this beautiful swan right near Exit 50.
Thanks to excellent work by the officers, kind assistance from the NYS Thruway Authority and New York State Police, and several compassionate and patient drivers, the swan is now resting comfortably in the Wildlife Department at the SPCA’s Harlem Rd., West Seneca shelter, where the bird is being examined and evaluated.
The bird has been identified by wildlife professionals at the SPCA as a first-year Mute Swan, an invasive, non-native species. SPCA Wildlife Department Director Barbara Haney has been in constant communication with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and will have more information to report on the swan’s prognosis within the week.
Posted here are photos of last night’s rescue, another example of a community coming together to save the life of a beautiful animal, and an example of yet another way the SPCA Serving Erie County has continued to serve the people and the animals of this community throughout the pandemic.
Remember, the SPCA Serving Erie County’s important programs and services are funded *only* through donations. Make your gift today and be part of these incredible animal rescues and rehabs!
Drawn to Community Recognizes Extraordinary Girls Who Are Using Creativity and Passion to Inspire Their Communities!
Cartoon Network Celebrates International Women’s Day with Five Awesome Girls Who Take Action and Champion Community.
March 8, 2021
{EDITOR’S NOTE: Watch Gabby and these other inspiring young ladies March 8, 2021 on Cartoon Network: 8:25 a.m., 12:25 p.m., 3:25 p.m., 5:25 p.m., & 7:58 p.m.!}
Cartoon Network is celebrating International Women’s Day with the premiere of Drawn to Community on Monday, March 8. This installment of the Drawn To series features five remarkable girls who are leading their generation towards a brighter future. From reading to animals, to distributing art kits, to creating virtual cooking classes, these inspiring girls are empowering others to get involved and make an impact in their local communities.
The Drawn to Community opening graphics were designed by London-based illustrator Lucy Kirk. All Drawn To episodes are available on CN, the CN App, and across the network’s social platforms.
Gabby, 6
Volunteer for The SPCA Serving Erie County
Gabby participates in the “Tale for Two” program at her local SPCA, which encourages children to read aloud to adoptable animals, allowing them to benefit from the socialization, while children work on their reading skills. More information about the SPCA and its programs can be found at https://YourSPCA.org.
Chelsea, 11
Founder, Chelsea’s Charity
Chelsea’s Charity donates art supplies and art lessons to children in need to support social, emotional and mental health development through art. Viewers can learn more at https://www.chelseascharity.com.
Megan, 5
Fundraiser for the Humane Society
Megan creates and sells custom, hand-painted t-shirts to benefit the Humane Society. She says, “It takes $25 a day to take care of one dog. Helping the Humane Society makes me feel good!” For more ways to help, please visit http://www.humanesociety.org.
Niyoshi, 14
Cultural Event Planner
Niyoshi took her love of cooking and baking and turned it into a monthly get together creating dishes from different cultures and connecting the community. It is also an opportunity to learn about each other’s backgrounds while having fun and making new friends.
Simone, 10
Founder of non-profit, Kids that Give Back
With the help of generous donors, Kids that Give Back has provided toys to kids in hospitals, books to homeless kids, and food and toiletry items to homeless families throughout Washington DC, Maryland and Virginia. Find out more at https://www.kidsthatgiveback.org.
Cartoon Network recently announced the expansion of its content series Drawn To with new installments of monthly vignettes to be launched throughout the year. Each episode features inspirational stories from real-life kids having fun and sharing common interests such as spending time with family and helping out in their communities. The series seeks to elevate these voices, highlight diverse cultures and provide a meaningful glimpse at the passions that bring kids together to celebrate unity and connectivity in a sometimes uncertain world. Each Drawn To is produced in partnership with local artists to cultivate authentic connections with the topics discussed.
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Cartoon Network is the central Kids & Family brand within WarnerMedia and the #1 global animated series network. Combined with a rich legacy of characters and a deep roster of creatives with unique brands of storytelling, Cartoon Network showcases original content from across Cartoon Network Studios, Warner Bros. Animation and beyond that includes such hits as Ben 10, Craig of the Creek, Steven Universe, Teen Titans Go! and more. Under its Redraw Your World tagline, Cartoon Network’s expansive content commitment appeals to the complete spectrum of kids and families including preschoolers, all kids ages 6-11, and family co-viewing. Upcoming new series such as Gremlins, Jade Armor, Total Drama Island, Unicorn: Warriors Eternal, as well as a live-action slate are set to comprise an inclusive Kids & Family programming lineup on Cartoon Network and HBO Max offering more than 300 hours of original content. Seen in more than 185 countries and in 33 languages, Cartoon Network’s historic library can also be streamed on HBO Max.
Please click on the image below for more information on these current employment opportunities at the SPCA Serving Erie County!
Valentine’s Day and Pets
February 11, 2021
By: SPCA Vice President of Veterinary Services Melanie Rushforth
While we at the Lipsey Clinic at the SPCA Serving Erie County believe the best Valentine’s gift you can give your pet is the gift of a longer and healthier life without the burden of litters and pesky hormonal cycles, free of fleas and other parasites, it’s the season of love! Let’s talk a little about things to look out for this month.
Forbidden Chocolate
Seasoned pet lovers know that all types of chocolate are potentially life-threatening when ingested by pets. Methylxanthines are caffeine-like stimulants that affect gastrointestinal, neurologic and cardiac function—they can cause vomiting, diarrhea, hyperactivity, seizures and an abnormally elevated heart rate. The high-fat content in lighter chocolates can potentially lead to a life-threatening inflammation of the pancreas. Go ahead and indulge, but don’t leave chocolate out for chowhounds to find.
Careful with Cocktails
Spilled wine, a half a glass of champagne, or some leftover liquor are nothing to cry over until a curious pet laps them up. Because animals are smaller than humans, a little bit of alcohol can do a lot of harm, causing vomiting, diarrhea, lack of coordination, central nervous system depression, tremors, difficulty breathing, metabolic disturbances and even coma. Potentially fatal respiratory failure can also occur if a large amount is ingested.
Life Is Sweet
Don’t let pets near treats sweetened with xylitol. If ingested, gum, candy, and other treats that include this sweetener can result in hypoglycemia (a sudden drop in blood sugar). This can cause your pet to suffer depression, loss of coordination and seizures.
Every Rose Has Its Thorn
Don’t let pets near roses or other thorny-stemmed flowers. Biting, stepping on, or swallowing their sharp, woody spines can cause serious infection if a puncture occurs. De-thorn your roses far away from pets.
Playing with Fire
It’s nice to set your evening aglow with candlelight, but put out the fire when you leave the room. Pawing kittens and nosy pooches can burn themselves or cause a fire by knocking over unattended candles.
Wrap It Up
Gather up tape, ribbons, bows, wrapping paper, cellophane and balloons after presents have been opened—if swallowed, these long, stringy and “fun-to-chew” items can get lodged in your pet’s throat or digestive tract, causing her to choke or vomit.
Learn more about the Lipsey Clinic at the SPCA Serving Erie County here >>
Find the love you’ve been looking for at the SPCA Serving Erie County! See our adoptable animals >>
Click on one of the images below to hear SPCA Educational Farm Manager Sheila Foss tell WKBW-TV’s Mike Randall just what’s happening with the current (in Sheila’s words!) “Urban Chicken-Keeping Craze!”
