July 5, 2020 — There were still some fireworks set last night, whether they were part of the very few large displays that still took place, or a couple firework pops in your neighbor’s yard. Did your pet become fearful and bolt? Check out the top ways to find your lost pet:
https://YourSPCA.org/Lost-FoundStray-Animals
June 24, 2020
By: Gina Lattuca, SPCA Serving Erie County Chief Communications Officer
UPDATE, JUNE 24, 6:30 p.m.: Bill has been adopted! When his story made national news today, we received more than 100 phone calls from potential adopters from all over the country! Fortunately, our boy will be staying home! Now named Milo, he’ll be living in Buffalo with Jomaira & Kiara!
BILL THE CAT is one in a million…or to be more specific, one in 3,000! Why? Because he’s a tortoiseshell kitty, and he’s a boy!
If you’re new to the cat world, that might not seem too exceptional. But those who have spent a little time in feline circles are paying close attention right now, especially after seeing Bill’s photo with that blue collar around his neck and realizing that this is a male tortoiseshell cat, an incredible rarity.
Genetics are pretty interesting when it comes to calico cats, and the same goes for tortoiseshell cats…even the “pastel” or dilute ones like Bill, with softer colors. Several genetic mutations cause these cats to develop coats with patterns that seem marbleized, much like the shell of a tortoise. And with the most common chromosome combos, all calicos and tortoiseshell felines are female. Well….almost all.
Think back to high school. Females have XX chromosomes, males have XY.
X carries the gene for coat colors; Y determines gender.
According to this article issued by Falls Village Veterinary Hospital in Raleigh, NC, “Orange coloring in cats comes from a gene in X chromosomes. Biology refresher: females have XX chromosomes. Males have XY chromosomes. So, it stands to reason that either a male or female cat can be or have orange coloring. The girls, though, are commonly calico, tortie, or orange tabby whereas the vast majority of males are only orange tabby. This is because only a cat with XX chromosomes can be calico or tortie.”
So if two X chromosomes are necessary in a calico or tortie kitten, and males are XY with just one X, how are male calico or tortie cats possible?
Very rarely, an extra strand of DNA 
(three chromosomes) is apparent in a male, making the male XXY. What does this mean? While the Y determines he is a male, the two Xs can, in fact, give him a calico or a tortoiseshell coat!
This is an incredibly rare occurrence. In fact, several sources researched cite a study by the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine that found only about 1 in 3,000 of these calico/tortoiseshell cats are male!
Undoubtedly, it must have occurred to someone throughout history to try and breed these cats, however, cats with three chromosomes are usually also sterile. Neutering is still important to help prevent negative medical or behavioral developments.
Because we don’t see many male calico or tortoiseshell cats at the SPCA Serving Erie County, Bill the cat is feeling pretty special these days, but he’s trying not to let it get to his head. Bill is waiting to meet his new family at our 300 Harlem Rd., West Seneca shelter! We have a feeling Bill will be scooped up quickly, but plenty of animals are at the SPCA waiting to become a part of your family! See our available animals here.
Adoption appointments can be made by calling 716-875-7360, ext. 207.
Thanks to the SPCA’s Lindsey Wood for Bill’s photos and videos!
June 16, 2020 — We think they were just trying to follow the grocery store rules. They’re just too young to really understand how far 6 feet is. On Saturday, June 13, SPCA Serving Erie County Officers Heine and Maleskis assisted Officer Cindy Griffin of Amherst Animal Control as, together, the animal rescue agents engaged in the second duck rescue of last weekend….ducklings who had fallen down a sewer grate near Wegmans on Transit Road in Williamsville (see Saturday’s other duck rescue at Cazenovia Creek here). Eight ducklings in all were rescued and brought to the SPCA’s West Seneca shelter for care.
–Gina Lattuca, SPCA Serving Erie County Chief Communications Officer
Watch our “personal” thanks to EVERYONE who helped push our FANIMAL competition to a victorious finish line: a WIN for ALL ANIMALS!
May 19, 2020 — This comes to us from SPCA Serving Erie County Animal Cruelty Investigator / Animal Rescue Officer Tyler Robertson:
“On May 18, SPCA Officers Paul LeShay and Jennifer Maleskis rescued this injured red-tailed hawk from 3500 River Rd. in Tonawanda. The hawk was transported back to our Wildlife Department and radiographs were done to reveal a fractured humerus. Unfortunately the injury was inoperable.”
While our Wildlife staff were forced to make the difficult decision to euthanize the hawk, this humane passing saved 
the hawk from what most likely would have been a longer, slower, painful, and perhaps much more vicious death.
The SPCA Serving Erie County is continuing to provide animal rescue, rehabilitation, and other important services during its COVID-19 response period. For details on services offered by the SPCA as the organization continues to serve the animals and people of our community, please visit https://YourSPCA.org/COVIDResponse .
–Gina Lattuca, SPCA Serving Erie County Chief Communications Officer
Are you a FANIMAL? Vote Team Cat, Team Dog, or Team All Animals TODAY in the SPCA Serving Erie County’s all-new, socially-distant fundraiser! Cast your vote HERE!
May 19, 2020 — More Wildlife Department news coming to us from our own Dawn Karipidis:
“Even wild animals need to see the dentist! This Virginia Opossum caught a lucky break when he was spotted by a passer-by in East Aurora. Upon completing his exam, we concluded that his sad state of emaciation could be caused by an infected, painful canine tooth. Due to his guarded condition, we did not expect him to survive through the night, but he proved us wrong! Upon arriving at the wildlife hospital the following morning, May 14, we found him to be bright, alert, and 
growling. When he’s strong enough, we can then address the offending tooth. This strong-willed boy is receiving medications for pain and inflammation, an antibiotic, fluids, and will be hand-fed until he can eat on his own. At this rate, his anticipated release will be in 2-3 weeks!”
The SPCA Serving Erie County is continuing to provide animal rescue, rehabilitation, and other important services during its COVID-19 response period. For details on services offered by the SPCA as the organization continues to serve the animals and people of our community, please visit https://YourSPCA.org/COVIDResponse .
–Gina Lattuca, SPCA Serving Erie County Chief Communications Officer
Are you a FANIMAL? Vote Team Cat, Team Dog, or Team All Animals TODAY in the SPCA Serving Erie County’s all-new, socially-distant fundraiser! Cast your vote HERE!
May 18, 2020 — This exciting news comes to us from our Wildlife Department’s James Sevigny:
“On May 5, a family in Akron found a Red-bellied Woodpecker that appeared to be injured underneath their bird feeders. As it was unable to fly, they were able to contain it and bring it to the Wildlife Department at the SPCA Serving Erie County. Our wildlife rehabilitators took X-rays, and thankfully, no fractures were seen. After just a few days of R&R, the little guy was flying again as if nothing had happened! Knowing that at this time of year, he was probably helping to care for a nest full of babies, our rescue agents brought him back to Akron and released him right where he was found!”
Check out this video of the release:
The SPCA Serving Erie County is continuing to provide animal rescue, rehabilitation, and other important services during its COVID-19 response period. For details on services offered by the SPCA as the organization continues to serve the animals and people of our community, please visit https://YourSPCA.org/COVIDResponse .
–Gina Lattuca, SPCA Serving Erie County Chief Communications Officer
Are you a FANIMAL? Vote Team Cat Team Dog, or Team All Animals TODAY in the SPCA Serving Erie County’s all-new, socially-distant fundraiser! Cast your vote HERE!
May 12, 2020 — In the midst of the health pandemic and our COVID-19 Response phase, animal rescues are continuing at the SPCA Serving Erie County.
This news comes to us from our own John Lattimer, reporting from the Wildlife Department earlier this month: three baby possums were still with their mom, who had passed away, when they were all found by an observant community member. Two of the babies were attached and one was in its mom’s pouch. Once in the care of the SPCA’s Wildlife Department, they were extremely cold and dehydrated but two were quite active. Sadly, the dehydration and hypothermia proved to be too much for the third baby, who was gone by the following morning, but the others are being cared for by John, who hasn’t been getting much sleep since they require feeding every 2-3 hours (yes, during the night too!).
Saturday, May 9 was a busy day for some ducklings who were seemingly trying to take a shortcut when it comes to flying. The SPCA Serving Erie County received a call from the Buffalo Niagara International Airport about ducklings who had fallen through a sewer grate. Officer Ivory rushed to the scene and was not only able to rescue all the ducklings, but he was able to reunite almost all of them with mom! One little duckling proved a bit too small and slow to keep up with mom and babies on the move, so he was brought to the SPCA’s Wildlife Department amongst other little ones in our care until they’re old enough to be released!
And when one Buffalo individual had to be hospitalized due to non-COVID-related complications, the family, unable to care for the animals or receive other assistance, was not sure where to turn with the individual’s 7 adult cats and 12 kittens. Because the SPCA has continued serving the community in emergency situations, our officers were on the scene to help gather the kittens and bring them to our West Seneca shelter for examinations, care, and possible foster placement.
To see how the SPCA Serving Erie County is continuing to serve the community during its COVID-19 Response phase, please visit https://YourSPCA.org/COVIDResponse .
— Gina Lattuca, SPCA Serving Erie County Chief Communications Officer