Author: Gina

The SPCA Serving Erie County has revised its COVID-19 phase adoption policies. While we are waiving the need for adoption appointments Monday – Friday at this time (adoption appointments for dogs are still required on Saturdays), we may revert to adoption appointments for some or all animals in the future. Please check our website prior to your visit for adoption status. The current adoption policy is as follows:

THANK YOU FOR CONSIDERING THE SPCA SERVING ERIE COUNTY WHEN YOU DECIDED TO BRING HOME A NEW FAMILY MEMBER!

FOR YOUR PROTECTION AND OURS, THE SPCA SERVING ERIE COUNTY WILL REMAIN CONSISTENT WITH OCCUPANCY GUIDELINES DURING OUR COVID-19 RESPONSE PHASE.  FACE MASKS AND SOCIAL DISTANCING ARE REQUIRED!

-Beginning November 2, 2020, it will not be necessary to make an adoption appointment for dogs, cats, bunnies, or other animals Monday-Friday. Dog adoption appointments are still required on Saturdays. This may change at any time, and we may revert to appointment adoptions for some or all animals depending on the state of our COVID-19 response and occupancy guidelines issues by local officials.

-Saturday dog adoption appointments can be made by calling 716-875-7360, ext. 207. Please leave a message and your call will be returned in the order it was received. Due to the high number of Saturday adoption requests, please note that your call may not be returned the same day.

 -Adoption hours are currently 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and depending on the number of people waiting to see animals, the final group of potential adopters will be allowed to view animals at 4 p.m. 

-Upon entering the building, it is imperative that you sign in with contact information. We require the name of every guest in your party, including children, for tracing purposes.

-Four people will be allowed per guest pass in animal areas, which means up to 4 family members or friends should come together to the SPCA to adopt. Please remember if you are planning to adopt an animal, only four people per party will be allowed on each guest pass.

-A limited number of guest passes will be allowed in the animal areas at any given time. This allows visitors to spend time safely meeting available animals without worry about proximity to other potential adopters.

-Each guest pass allows a family time in the animal areas to help accommodate all potential adopters and increase the number of animals who find homes each day. Depending on the volume of visitors on any given day, a time limit may need to be put in place. (Please note: time limits with adoptable animals are only being enforced during our COVID-19 response phase. Normally, we encourage visitors to spend as long as possible with an animal prior to adoption!)

-If you arrive to adopt and the maximum number of people are present in the animal viewing areas, you have the opportunity to wait in a small overflow area in our lobby or, if you prefer not to wait there or if that area is filled, outdoors. Your sign-in information determines the order of admission into the building. If you choose to wait outdoors, we will call you on your mobile phone when it is your turn to visit!

-Wait times will vary depending on shelter population, so please plan accordingly. Traditionally, the busiest adoption day is Saturday, so if you plan to visit Saturday, please allow yourself enough wait time and understand the visitation 1-hour time limit described above. If you arrive before 4 p.m. and there is a long wait, you may not be able to view the animals on the day you visit. Also, please remember that dog adoptions on Saturdays are only available by appointment. Thank you for understanding our efforts to abide by occupancy guidelines; while not viewing animals on the day you visit is frustrating for all involved, we must make every effort to remain consistent with current health regulations in place to keep our visitors safe.

-Adoption hours are 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday. The final group of potential adopters will be allowed in adoption areas one hour prior to closing if space allows.

-This bears repeating: we may not be able to accommodate everyone on any given day. Depending on the number of people who have arrived at the shelter before you, it is possible you will not be able to see animals on the day you visit. Believe us, we don’t like it either. We’re in the business of placing these animals in new homes…including YOURS! But we understand, and hope you understand, this is for your safety as well as the safety of our volunteers and staff members.

-See animals available for adoption on this page! Remember, our population changes several times each day, so you’ll want to check back frequently!

THANK YOU FOR YOUR PATIENCE AS WE WORK TOGETHER TO KEEP PEOPLE & ANIMALS SAFE & HEALTHY!

–Gina Lattuca, SPCA Serving Erie County Chief Communications Officer

 

SPCA KIND KIDS CLUB
Ages 6 – 14
Cost: $25 per child for a 1-year membership

For kids who love animals and want to create a better, more compassionate future for humans AND animals!

Kids will learn about proper animal care, safe handling, respect for wild and domesticated animals, and more, all while learning about kindness, compassion, and empathy for all living creatures!

Kids Club members receive:
-New member packet and name badge
-Official club T-shirt and birthday card from an SPCA animal ambassador
-Quarterly calendar of events mailing
-Email updates to stay informed on upcoming events and opportunities
-Discounts on school break and summer camps, plus other events for kids
-Free members-only events

Questions? Contact SPCA Humane Education Director Christine Davis:
(716) 875-7360, ext. 262 or ChristineD@yourspca.org.

REGISTER FOR KIND KIDS CLUB >>

PAROLEE ARRAIGNED ON DRUG AND ANIMAL CRUELTY CHARGES

October 13, 2020
By: Erie County District Attorney’s Office Public Information Officer Kait Munro

Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announces that 43-year-old Douglas D. Williams of Buffalo has been arraigned before Buffalo City Court Judge Amy C. Martoche on the following felony charges:

• Two counts of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree, Class “B” felonies
• One count of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree, a Class “C” felony
• One count of Aggravated Cruelty to Animals, a Class “E” felony
• One count of Permitting Animal Fighting on One’s Premises, a Class “E” felony
• Criminally Using Drug Paraphernalia in the Second Degree, a Class “A” misdemeanor

The defendant was arraigned on Saturday, October 10, 2020.

The defendant was the subject of an investigation led by the Erie County Sheriff’s Office. It is alleged that on the evening of Friday, October 9, 2020, the defendant was arrested during a traffic stop in the Town of Clarence and a search warrant was executed at his residence on the 2000 block of Bailey Avenue in the City of Buffalo. Inside the house, investigators allegedly found an illegal firearm, a scale as well as a quantity of cocaine, heroin and fentanyl. Five pit bull terriers, believed to be used for dog fighting, were also allegedly found in inadequate conditions inside the home. Two other dogs were allegedly in the vehicle with the defendant at the time of his arrest.

The dogs are in the care and custody of the SPCA Serving Erie County.

Williams is scheduled to return on Thursday, October 15, 2020 at a felony hearing. He was released on $40,000 bail posted in Buffalo City Court.

If convicted on all charges, Williams faces up to 25 years in prison.

DA Flynn commends the Erie County Sheriff’s Office, the Buffalo Police Department Intel Unit, and the SPCA Serving Erie County for their work in this investigation.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Rachel Kranitz McPhee of the DA’s Animal Cruelty Unit.

As are all persons accused of a crime, the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Read the original story >>

DOG FIGHTING RINGLEADER AND DRUG DEALER ARRESTED

October 12, 2020
By: Erie County Sheriff’s Office Public Information Officer Scott Zylka

Defendant is on Parole and has a Conviction for Similar Cruelty Charges

UPDATE Oct. 13: Williams Arraigned >>

Buffalo, NY – Erie County Sheriff Timothy B. Howard reports the arrest of 43-year-old Douglas Williams of Buffalo on October 9 for drug and animal cruelty charges following a month-long investigation led by the Erie County Sheriff’s Office.

The Sheriff’s Narcotics and Intelligence Unit initiated an investigation after receiving reports of armed drug dealing and dog fighting occurring at a Bailey Avenue residence. The investigation culminated in the defendant’s arrest following a traffic stop in Clarence and the execution of a search warrant at Williams’ home.

During the traffic stop on Friday, Deputies rescued two American Bull Terriers believed to be en route to Williams’ residence for dog fighting activities.

In the afternoon and following the traffic stop, the ECSO SWAT Team executed a search warrant at his dwelling where five additional dogs were rescued. The dogs showed signs of severe abuse. Also recovered in the raid was a loaded 9mm handgun, cocaine, fentanyl, as well as drug paraphernalia.

Williams was arrested and charged with felony counts of:
• Criminal possession of a narcotic with intent to sell;
• Criminal possession of a controlled substance; and
• Criminal possession of a loaded firearm.

He was also charged with felony counts of:
• Aggravated cruelty to animals; and
• Permitting animal fighting on one’s premises.

In addition to the felony counts, he is charged with a misdemeanor count of criminal use of drug paraphernalia.

The defendant was taken to the Erie County Holding Center and was released on October 10, following his arraignment and posting $40,000.00 bail/bond.

Williams is currently on parole for his involvement in a violent home invasion. He has a previous conviction for aggravated cruelty to animals and two separate federal convictions for firearm possession.

The SPCA Serving Erie County is treating and caring for the terriers.

Williams’ arrest resulted from an investigation conducted by the Erie County Sheriff’s Office, the Buffalo Police Department’s Intel Unit, the Erie County District Attorney’s Office, and The SPCA Serving Erie County.