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
Vets & Pets begins Sunday, November 1 and runs through Veterans Day Wednesday, November 11 at the SPCA’s 300 Harlem Rd., West Seneca shelter and all SPCA offsite adoption locations. (Please note, the SPCA’s West Seneca shelter is closed Sunday, Nov. 1 and Sunday, Nov. 8, but many offsite adoption locations are open.)
DD214 will need to be presented.
initial worming, feline leukemia test, microchip, temporary identification tag, certificate for the new pet’s first physical examination at the Lipsey Clinic at the SPCA or another member clinic of the Niagara Frontier Veterinary Society, the option of a 30-day pet health insurance plan, and a free bag of Purina food (while supplies last).
