Category: News

SPCA Serving Erie County Earns a Four-Star Rating From Charity Navigator

October 14, 2024

The SPCA Serving Erie County is proud to announce that its strong financial health and ongoing accountability and transparency has earned a four-star rating from Charity Navigator. This rating designates the SPCA as an official “Give with Confidence” charity, indicating that our organization is using its donations effectively based on Charity Navigator’s criteria. Charity Navigator is America’s largest and most utilized independent charity evaluator. Since 2001, the organization has been an unbiased and trusted source of information for more than 11 million donors annually.

Charity Navigator analyzes nonprofit performance based on four key indicators, referred to as beacons. Currently, nonprofits can earn scores for the Impact & Results, Accountability & Finance, Culture & Community, and Leadership & Adaptability beacons.

“We are delighted to provide the SPCA Serving Erie County with third-party accreditation that validates their operational excellence,” said Michael Thatcher, President and CEO of Charity Navigator. “The Four-Star Rating is the highest possible rating an organization can achieve. We are eager to see the good work that the SPCA is able to accomplish in the years ahead.”

For more information or to view the SPCA’s complete rating, click here.

When a Surprise Rooster Reveal Requires Rehoming

October 16, 2024
By: SPCA Educational Farm Manager Heather Silverthorn

Our friends at Lollypop Farm in Rochester shared the following post on their social media platforms not long ago:

“Over the past couple of months, Lollypop Farm has seen a large increase in roosters needing to be rehomed due to the fact that people have found themselves with a ‘surprise rooster’ in their flock. In fact, from July 1st through [August 29] we had 28 rooster surrender inquiries. Wondering how this might happen?

When someone purchases chicks, they may be told that they are getting all females, but sexing chicks is difficult, so it’s common to end up with at least one rooster in the mix. This can lead to issues like flock imbalance. Ten hens (female) to one rooster (male) is the most common ratio for a flock, and if there is more than one rooster, it may lead to unwanted behaviors like fighting. That being said, if roosters were raised together and get along well, you may be able to adjust the ratio. The most important part is making sure the flock is happy and has enough space to thrive.

Another common reason “surprise roosters” may become a problem is when people are unknowingly violating zoning laws. These laws include a part about noise levels. Have you ever heard a rooster crow?! The sound can be very loud.” See the full post here >>

We at the SPCA Serving Erie County are in a similar predicament. We, too, have been getting an influx of phone calls and drop-ins by people with questions about surrendering their surprise roosters! While we love our feathered friends, we absolutely want them to be in a home where they are best suited.

We always encourage our community to get animals they will love and that will make their homes a happier place. However, where these animals are obtained, along with what is allowed in your town/village/city, can play a big part in choosing our feathered/furred friends. We highly recommend skipping local stores in search of chicks; these are not always the best choice because employees often are not able to properly identify the sex of chicks. This can ultimately lead to a rooster as a part of your flock.

While roosters can be very beneficial for a flock, in many towns they aren’t allowed because of their need to crow. When making the choice to bring feathered friends into your life, first check with your local office to find out what their rules are. Once established, using places like the SPCA Serving Erie County to adopt your friend is a great choice. We can also give you ideas on the best places to obtain a flock when faced with restrictions.

If you find yourself with an unexpected rooster, calling your local shelter is a wonderful start. However, many, like the SPCA Serving Erie County, do not always have room available to accept your surrender.

If you’re in a position of needing to rehome a rooster without luck at a shelter, the following social media resources are a great place to start. For WNY locals, there are excellent online sources to research, including:

Livestock in NY
Livestock in WNY
WNY Chicken Peeps
WNY Ducks and Chickens
WNY Crazy Hobby Farmers

Lollypop Farm also recommended an article regarding raising baby chickens. It’s an informative article worth reading before making any chicken purchase! Find that article here >>

The SPCA’s Educational Farm is open to the public Monday, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m., and Tuesday through Saturday, 11 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.  More information is available at YourSPCA.org/Educational-Farm .

 

SPCA President/CEO Cait Daly Named Buffalo Business First “40 Under 40” Winner

 

August 22, 2024
By: Chief Communications Officer Gina Lattuca

Cait and the SPCA’s Xylord


The SPCA Serving Erie County is thrilled to announce President/CEO Cait Daly has been selected as one of Buffalo Business First’s “40 Under 40” winners!

From Buffalo Business First: “It’s never easy to select the annual 40 Under 40 winners. This year was no exception. The winners were chosen from nearly 200 nominations for the 33rd year of the awards, bringing the total number of honorees over the years to 1,320. They are doctors, attorneys, educators and entrepreneurs. Some work to better their community full-time; others give back after hours. They’re all Western New York professionals who are younger than age 40, successful in their professions and involved in their communities.”

See Buffalo Business First’s official announcement >>

Cait is held in incredibly high esteem by the SPCA Serving Erie County’s Board of Directors.

“In a short time, Cait has become an invaluable leader of our SPCA Serving Erie County,” says SPCA Board of Directors Chairperson P. Jeffrey Birtch. “Her dedication, hard work, and compassion never cease to amaze me; it makes the organization a better place to be. Her tireless efforts are nothing short of remarkable.”

SPCA Board of Directors Vice Chairperson Sara Dayton adds, “Cait’s steadfast commitment to making the SPCA Serving Erie County all it can be for the people and animals of this community is unmatched. Animal welfare work is challenging. We’re dealing with beautiful, living, breathing beings every day, and emotions run high. Cait’s unwavering dedication, however, is contagious.”

“I am genuinely grateful for the collaboration Cait has brought to the community through our SPCA,” says SPCA Board Member Hon. Barbara Howe (Ret.). “The number of organizations with which we now work to make Erie County and beyond a better, more compassionate place is increasing every day; Cait’s attitude is inspiring and infectious. Her work is extraordinary, and deeply valued.”

Cait’s leadership at the SPCA is valued not only by board members, but by staff members, volunteers, and the community as well.

It wasn’t enough for Cait to allow the SPCA Serving Erie County to just keep doing what it was doing because it was the way it had been done for decades. Cait took time to learn what all neighborhoods in all parts of Erie County desperately needed…not what we think they should need, but what they DO need. With the help of some dedicated board and staff members, Cait spearheaded efforts to restructure the SPCA’s outreach programs and efforts. The SPCA  has among its priorities a focus on doing everything possible to remove the need a family may have to surrender a pet, and works hard directing efforts to keep families together rather than filling the shelter with animals who were already in loving homes. Hundreds of families annually have been able to keep their beloved animals due to the resources provided by the SPCA under Cait’s leadership.

Because of Cait’s vision, new programs were brought to the community in an effort to remove barriers to adoption, thereby shortening animals’ lengths of stay here at the SPCA and keeping our adoption numbers steady during this time that adoptions are declining nationwide. 

These efforts and so many others make Cait a fitting recipient of Buffalo Business First’s “40 Under 40” distinction. The SPCA Board of Directors, staff, and volunteers congratulate Cait on this exciting achievement! See the official announcement here >>

✅ Notebooks
✅ Pencils
✅ Crayons
❓ New study buddy pet

Is your child getting ready to go back to school? It’s the perfect time to find them a study buddy!

From August 24 to August 31, the SPCA is reducing adoption fees by half for pets a year old and older!

The first 100 adopters will receive:
– A pencil case loaded up with treats for your new pet!
– A 20% off coupon to the SPCA’s in-shelter store, the Petique, with the option to get an engraved ID tag for only $5!
– An animal-themed bookmark for all your studying needs!

This limited-time sale is only available at the SPCA Serving Erie County, 300 Harlem Road in West Seneca.

See available study buddies here!

TALE FOR TWO READING PROGRAM SCHEDULE RELEASED FOR 2024-2025 SEASON

August 21, 2024
By: Chief Communications Officer Gina Lattuca

Register your child for Tale for Two  >>

The SPCA Serving Erie County will continue its popular Tale for Two reading program throughout the 2024-2025 school year!

Tale For Two encourages children ages 5 – 16 to read aloud to adoptable animals at the SPCA. Animals benefit from the increased socialization and reduced stress levels, while children work on their literacy and reading skills, building their self-esteem and confidence.

This year’s reading sessions are available in six packages, and new this year are single sessions:

-Full-year package: $150
September 30, 2024 – August 30, 2025

-School year package: $100
September 30, 2024 – June 14, 2025

-Seasonal packages: $65
Fall: September 30 – December 14, 2024
Winter: January 6 – March 29, 2025
Spring: April 7 – June 14, 2025
Summer: June 30 – August 30, 2025

*NEW* -Single session: $10

Packages include one reading session per week, available Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, 4:30 p.m. – 6 p.m., and Saturdays, 3:30 p.m. – 6 p.m., at the SPCA’s 300 Harlem Rd., West Seneca shelter.  Reading sessions are 30 minutes in length.

Children can bring their own reading materials, or make a selection from the SPCA’s library.

Register your child for Tale for Two >>

Please contact SPCA Community Education Director Christine Davis with questions: ChristineD@yourspca.org. NOTE: Space per reading session is extremely limited, so register early!

SPCA Serving Erie County Receives $100,000 Grant from PetSmart Charities® to Address Lack of Accessible Veterinary Care in Historically-Excluded Communities

August 15, 2024
By: PetSmart Charities® | SPCA Chief Communications Officer Gina Lattuca

The SPCA Serving Erie County has received a grant from PetSmart Charities®  in the amount of $100,000 to address barriers in accessing veterinary care on the east side of Buffalo, specifically in the 14208 area.

Rising costs combined with geographical, cultural and other barriers have left many communities out of the veterinary care system altogether. The Incubator grant program supports innovative and culturally relevant veterinary programs targeted toward historically-excluded communities across the U.S.

While 70% of American households include pets, access to basic veterinary services has not kept pace.  Pets are universally considered important family members and keeping them together requires resources that are often missing. This is particularly felt in many underserved communities where not only cost, but geography and systemic inequities have left veterinary care beyond reach. Early in 2023, PetSmart Charities, the top funder of animal welfare in the country, committed $100 million over the next five years toward improving access to veterinary care. The Incubator grants focus on historically-excluded communities, many of which lack access to community supports, including veterinary services.

The SPCA Serving Erie County, NY has been chosen as part of this year’s Incubator grantees, designed to give veterinary organizations a one-year runway to build relationships with and deepen their understanding of their partner community.

Tasked with enlisting support of local changemakers, the grantees agree to co-creating models of care alongside communities.

“The SPCA Serving Erie County has been a steadfast resource for pet lovers and pet parents throughout western New York and beyond for 157 years,” says SPCA President/CEO Cait Daly. “Though we touch so many lives every day, the fact remains: there are still community members without equal access to the services we provide. Because of PetSmart Charities, we now have the resources to reach even more pet lovers and caretakers, those making every effort to keep the pets they love healthy and safe. Through this grant we can bridge gaps to care, learn what services are truly needed, and hear firsthand what barriers are keeping folks from accessing us. It’s something we’ve wanted to do for so long, and PetSmart Charities helped us make it a reality.”

“Most people today consider pets family, yet nearly one in three Americans face challenges in accessing even basic preventative care such as spay/neuter procedures, vaccinations and annual exams,” said Kate Atema, director of community grants & initiatives at PetSmart Charities of Canada. “While this issue affects families in nearly every community, those who have been historically excluded from human social services are most in need of pet services. We’re proud to be contributing to care that meets the unique needs identified by those living in the communities themselves.”

“We are deeply grateful to PetSmart Charities for awarding us the Incubator grant, which allows our SPCA to reach and support communities where pet resources are scarce,” says SPCA Chief Strategic Officer Stephanie Pepper. “PetSmart Charities’ generosity helps us make a lasting difference in the lives of pets and their families.”

Learn more about SPCA Serving Erie County community and outreach initiatives here >>

#SPCACompassionInAction

Want to learn more about dates for ’24-’25 Tale for Two (children reading to shelter pets), summer and break camps, scout programs, and other educational programs offered by the SPCA? Just click on the image below or type bit.ly/SPCAEducationInquiry (cap-specific) into your browser!

Bring Home a Feline Dream Team Now Through Saturday, as the SPCA Serving Erie County Offers a Feline Flash:
TWO CATS OR KITTENS FOR THE PRICE OF ONE!

Even if you’re not an Olympics buff, you can bring home your own Feline Dream Team!

Now through Saturday at the SPCA Serving Erie County, ALL felines…ALL ages…can be adopted at the feline flash of two for the price of one!*

Win the gold when you bring home a purrrfect pair of eight tiny paws with two big attitudes.

Visit the SPCA’s 300 Harlem Rd., West Seneca location Thursday through 8 p.m. (final adoption passes issued at 7 p.m.), or Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. through 5 p.m. (final adoption passes issued at 4 p.m.).

Each adoption includes the animals’ general physicals by SPCA Veterinary Services; spay/neuter surgeries; age-appropriate vaccinations; initial deworming; doses of flea control medicine; Feline Leukemia tests; microchips; temporary identification tags; and a certificate for new pets’ physical examinations at the Niagara Frontier Veterinary Society’s veterinarian of choice.*

 

See all animals available for adoption HERE >>
Adoption fees and other information are available HERE >>

*Don’t forget: You’ll need to bring along an appropriate carrier or two to transport your pet(s)! Don’t have any? You can purchase them here at the SPCA’s Petique!

Ways To Give

Monthly Giving

Make a One-Time Gift

Leadership Giving

Honor & Memorial Gifts

Planned Giving

Corporate Partners

Sponsor-A-Pet

Host a Fundraiser

Wish List

Yelp for Help

Marie Gebura Caring Heart Fund

Wildlife Donations

Mobile Giving

Other Ways to Give

Get Email Updates

Share