On June 6, WGRZ – Channel 2 Buffalo allowed us to share some information on what a puppy mill could look like, and why it’s important that the “Stop the Puppy Mill Pipeline” bill is signed into law by Governor Hochul. Watch here >>
June 2, 2022
By: NYS Animal Protection Federation’s Libby Post, (518) 857-6788
The Companion Animal Care Standards Act for Shelters and Rescues was passed by a vote of 149-0 in the State Assembly on Tuesday, May 31st after it passed by a similar margin of 61-0 in the State Senate on Wednesday, May 25th. The bill, A6245c/S6870b, provides comprehensive, uniform facility and animal care standards for shelters and rescue organizations.
The basis for much of the provisions related to such standards is the Association of Shelter Veterinarians’ (ASV) 2010 Guidelines for Standards of Care in Animal Shelters. The bill covers all aspects of shelter and rescue operations including training requirements, recordkeeping, facilities standards, housing, sanitation, management protocols, animal husbandry, veterinary care, behavior and transportation.
The effective date of the bill is three years after the bill is signed by the Governor. “This time frame will give shelters and rescues the time they need to meet these standards,” said Libby Post, Executive Director of the New York State Animal Protection Federation. “Our sister organization, the Federation’s Education Fund, will receive $147,000 in grant funding to provide low cost/no cost consulting to help these organizations reach and maintain these standards. We’re not leaving folks out in the cold—we’ll be with them every step of the way to help them provide the best care for homeless companion animals. It is essential that we raise the standard of care for homeless companion animals. We hope that Governor Hochul agrees on this point and urge her to sign this important bill.”
“The Federation began working on this bill over 10 years ago,” said Stacie Haynes, the Federation’s president and Executive Director of the Susquehanna SPCA. “This is one of the most consequential pieces of legislation for animal shelters and rescues. The Federation’s Companion Animal Capital Fund initiative which has now brought $28M in state funding to capital projects at shelters across the state will be integral in helping both shelters and rescues reach these standards.”
Under the bill, all shelters and rescues would be licensed as animal shelters because the bill creates a licensing and inspection program that will be administered by the NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets’ Division of Animal Industry.
Get the full action pack here >>
“I’m thrilled that the Companion Animal Care Standards Act (A.6246C/S.6870B) has passed in the Legislature! This legislation, which provides comprehensive standards of care for animal shelters and rescues, seeks to protect and improve the lives of animals in these organizations throughout New York State,” said Assembly sponsor Amy Paulin (D-Westchester). “I thank my sponsor in the New York State Senate Joseph Addabbo, Jr., the New York State Animal Protection Federation, and the many other advocates who worked relentlessly to bring this bill to passage. So many of our homes and families have been blessed by the companionship of a loving animal. It’s wonderful to now be one step closer to ensuring that they’ll receive the high degree of care they deserve.”
“We have made tremendous strides on behalf of homeless companion animals across New York. Since not all facilities are monitored by the state, this legislation will require all shelters and rescues to be licensed by the NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets, to ensure safe and humane conditions, with proper cleaning, nourishment, and veterinary care,” said Senate sponsor Joseph Addabbo (D-Queens). “By creating a universal system for training personnel, recordkeeping, and a written outline of practices and responsibilities, we are addressing ineffective and unenforceable laws while further protecting innocent animals.”
“The passage of this long-awaited measure marks the beginning of a new era in animal sheltering and rescue in New York State,” said Bill Ketzer, senior director of state legislation for the ASPCA. “Conceived and championed by shelter directors, veterinarians, behaviorists and other welfare professionals, these uniform facilities standards will directly support and enhance the lifesaving work of all organizations serving homeless and abused animals in communities statewide. We greatly appreciate the hard work of Assemblymember Paulin and Senator Addabbo in passing this bill, and urge Governor Hochul to sign it into law.”
New York’s animal shelters are committed to saving lives and making a difference in the towns, cities and villages they serve,” said Brian Shapiro, New York State director for the Humane Society of the United States. “This legislation is based on standards established by the Association of Shelter Veterinarians (ASV) guidelines, which were developed to raise the standards of care throughout the sheltering community. The HSUS applauds the work of Assemblymember Amy Paulin and Senator Joe Addabbo for bringing this important legislation over the finish line. We respectfully urge Governor Kathy Hochul to sign this bill into law.”
The New York State Animal Protection Federation is the advocacy voice of New York’s network of animal shelters. Founded in 2010, the Federation now has over 100 members comprised of municipal and nonprofit shelters, brick and mortar rescues, local and national animal welfare organizations.
–Gina Lattuca, SPCA Chief Communications Officer
It’s only appropriate that, during our Summer of Love, the SPCA Serving Erie County has a big, ol’ hunk of burning love for the WNY Elvis Appreciation Society [WNYEAS]!
In April, the WNYEAS held a fundraiser featuring Buffalo Music Hall of Fame member Terry Buchwald 
to benefit our hound dogs and other animals! Last night, WNYEAS President Kevin Kedzierski, Secretary/Treasurer Sylvia Walworth, and other members of the group were taking care of business, presenting a check for more than $3000 to the SPCA Serving Erie County’s Gina Lattuca!
Sylvia says, “Many people don’t realize that Elvis Presley gave so much of his money away. Donations, taking care of others…this was very important to Elvis. Part of the reason our group is in existence is to honor that caring quality, which was a big part of who this remarkable man was.”
To date, the WNYEAS has donated more than $10,000 to the SPCA Serving Erie County, and we couldn’t be more shook up!
Thank you, WNYEAS! Thank you very much!
-Gina Lattuca, SPCA Chief Communications Officer
–Gina Lattuca, SPCA Chief Communications Officer
At this time, SPCA Paws for Love therapy teams will be assisting:
~Tops Markets associates: visits started May 18 and will be made all week, expected to continue next week;
~Buffalo Academy of Science Middle School: visits begin this week, possible future dates to be added;
~Crisis Services: a series of visits begin next week;
~Grand Island Elementary Schools: dates currently being scheduled;
~Winning Smiles Dental Care located in the Jefferson Ave. area: visits begin next week for employees who were directly and indirectly impacted by Saturday’s shooting;
~WKBW-TV Channel 7: after station representatives learned of SPCA therapy services during our appearances on the station (see those stories here >>), management recognized the need for therapy visits to station staff, which begin tomorrow;
~Build Community Schools: Paws for Love teams will visit multiple classrooms and schools in the Jefferson Ave. area throughout the month, while school is still in session;
~Erie County, NY: Working with the County Executive’s Office, providing Paws for Love therapy teams at the Johnnie B. Wiley Sports Pavilion this weekend. Coming: neighborhood strolls with Buffalo Peacekeepers, stress-relief events for first responders at the scene of Saturday’s shooting, and stress-relief events with Erie County and City of Buffalo employees.
Please see image above to learn how to receiving therapy visits or become an SPCA Paws for Love volunteer.
–Gina Lattuca, SPCA Chief Communications Officer
May 16, 2022
Dear SPCA Friends & Family:
On Saturday morning May 14, members of our SPCA’s Humane Education Department embarked on a visit to Buffalo Public School #99, the Stanley M. Makowski Early Childhood Center, 1095 Jefferson Ave. in Buffalo. We were participants in an event teaching children about the different ways to safely express themselves and their feelings through art, words, music, and more.
Mere hours later, less than one mile away, ten lives were taken in a barbaric act of violence, rage, and racism.
The people we lost to this hatred, members of our community, were exceptional individuals who, we have learned, truly made the world a better place for those in their lives and for so many they didn’t even know. Our hearts go out to the victims, to their families, to all the people in our towns and cities and counties who are suffering from this hateful brutality.
The violence inflicted upon these individuals, and the violence that affects community members every single day in our neighborhoods, is something we must continue to fight together. With one voice. As one community.
The SPCA Serving Erie County stands committed to its work of putting an end to such violence. Our specific efforts in response to this weekend’s killings are slowly unfolding, but we are ready to bring our existing programs where they are needed most. Our Paws for Love therapy pet visitation teams are on notice, ready to step in at counseling events, therapy sessions, stress-relief events, and more to help suffering individuals cope with their feelings, fears, and emotions. Our Humane Education team is ready to bring our important message of anti-violence, inclusion, empathy, respect, compassion, and love to our community’s children. Our pet food pantry is already in the process of delivering pet food and litter to neighborhoods filled with pet owners who may have difficulty acquiring these items at this time.
We are certain there will be more opportunities for our humane society to assist in efforts designed to not only help with what happened this weekend, but to fill the needs that arise in Erie County every day.
Our SPCA has and will remain diligent in its contribution to the creation of a society more humane, more inclusive, more accepting, and more loving. This can only be accomplished when our entire community works together in solidarity against acts of bigotry, racism, hatred, and violence.
As always, we remain honored to serve the people of Erie County and beyond.
Committed to Kindness,
Cait Daly
President & CEO
SPCA Serving Erie County
CaitD@yourspca.org
–Gina Lattuca, SPCA Chief Communications Officer
