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
June 16, 2020 — This comes to us from SPCA Serving Erie County Animal Cruelty Investigator / Animal Rescue Officer Tyler Robertson:
On Saturday, June 13, 2020, Officer Ivory, Officer Jaworski, Officer Maleskis, and I rescued eight domestic ducks from Cazenovia Park. Officer Ivory and Officer Maleskis used kayaks to steer the ducks to shore where Officer Jaworski and I were able to net the ducks and get them into carriers to be transported back to the barn at the SPCA.
Credit for the video and pictures go to SPCA volunteer Cheryl L. who happened to be walking by and who provided assistance as well!
This was one of two duck rescues over the weekend; read more about the rescue of 8 ducklings practicing a little too much social distancing here.
Watch our “personal” thanks to EVERYONE who helped push our FANIMAL competition to a victorious finish line: a WIN for ALL ANIMALS!
May 20, 2020
By Bethany Kloc, SPCA Serving Erie County Communications Manager
With the nice weather finally upon Western New York, have you noticed more raccoons than usual out during the day in your neighborhood? There’s a very logical reason for that.
“In general, just seeing a raccoon during the day is normal — especially now that mothers have their litters of babies. They’re off getting food for them ALL day long,” says SPCA Serving Erie County Wildlife Department Director Barb Haney. “And even though I think we can all appreciate how cute they are, I’d like to impress upon people that under no circumstances should anyone ever touch a raccoon – even baby raccoons. In New York State, once a rabies vector species like a raccoon has had contact with people, for the protection of those people, it must be tested for rabies. This means the raccoon is euthanized to gauge its brain’s infection status. So contact with a raccoon doesn’t only have deadly consequences for the animal, but could lead to the transmission of rabies from the animal to the person who initiated contact.”
With more raccoon sightings in neighborhoods, the SPCA has received more calls than usual about them. On a recent day, SPCA Officer Tyler Robertson said that, after receiving calls for help, members of his department transferred five separate litters of 14 raccoons, and all needed to be euthanized to be tested for rabies.
“Individuals are finding baby raccoons that they erroneously feel need intervention, and they think they’re doing the right thing by handling them to ensure they’re safe. After that, they reach out to the SPCA for assistance. Unfortunately, once the human contact occurs, euthanasia is the only outcome for the animal.”
What should you do if you find a raccoon who looks sick, injured, or orphaned? Officer Robertson recommends, “Leave the animal where it is, contact our Wildlife Department between the hours of 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. at 716-449-0727, and comply with any instruction that is given. By calling ahead of time and speaking with the experts, it will give the animal the best (hopefully live) outcome.” If you have questions between 8 p.m. and 8 a.m., please call your local police department and/or animal control department or the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.
As always, it is important to have your pets up-to-date on their rabies vaccinations. Should you or your pet have contact with a wild animal, including a raccoon, please call the Erie County Health Department at 716-961-6800.
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
May 8, 2020 — A resident of Orchard Park found this short-tailed weasel underneath her kitchen stove! Also called a stoat, short-tailed weasels are common but seldom-seen residents of our area. She brought it to the SPCA Serving Erie County’s Wildlife Department where it received a clean bill of health. He will be transferred to the care Elise Able of Fox Wood Wildlife Rescue, Inc.
–James Sevigny, SPCA Serving Erie County
