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New York State Will Mandate Veterinarians to Report Suspected Animal Abuse; Breed Discrimination by Insurers Will Be Prohibited

June 11, 2021
By: SPCA Chief Communications Officer Gina Lattuca

The New York State Animal Protection Federation (NYSAPF) has released two exciting pieces of news this week.

With the help of New York State Senator Michael Gianaris and New York State Assemblymember Linda Rosenthal, veterinarians in the state will soon be mandated to report suspected animal abuse and cruelty to the appropriate incorporated SPCA (such as the SPCA Serving Erie County for cases in Erie County), district attorney’s office, police force, animal control officer, NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets, or other law enforcement agency. Necessary records must be turned over to the agency. Veterinarians’ identities will be protected. (A.5823/S.5023)

Last night, the NYSAPF released a statement on its website thanking Senator Gianaris and  Assemblymember Rosenthal for making this happen, and thanked member shelters for their advocacy work.

Assemblymember Rosenthal states on her official Facebook page,
“🐾VICTORY! 🐾 My bill with Senator Michael Gianaris requiring veterinarians to report animal abuse has passed the Assembly and now goes to the Governor! Vets play a critical role in identifying animal abuse and this law will help protect pets and humans from harm.”

Secondly, representatives of the NYSAPF say that, soon,  insurance companies will  no longer be allowed to discriminate against homeowners based on the breed of their dog(s). A.4075/S.4254 prohibits insurers from “…refusing to issue or renew, cancel, or charge or impose an increased premium for certain policies based solely on the breed of dog owned.”

On NYSAPF.org, the organization thanked Senator Gianaris and New York State Assemblymember Deborah Glick for their work on this legislation.

SPCA Serving Erie County President and CEO Gary Willoughby is a board member of the NYSAPF, and SPCA Chief Operating Officer Beth Shapiro is also an NYSAPF board member and the organization’s chair of the 501(c)(3) Education Fund. Willoughby and Shapiro are thrilled that these important pieces of legislation have passed.

For more information, please visit the website of the NYSAPF here >>

*Images courtesy of the New York State Animal Protection Federation

Geese and Orioles and Woodpeckers, Oh My!
The Fabulous, Feathered Rescues of May, 2021

June 2, 2021
By: SPCA Chief Communications Officer Gina Lattuca

In addition to the dramatic rescue of a juvenile bald eagle last week (see the full story of the eagle rescue here), the SPCA Serving Erie County had a month filled with other lifesaving rescues of local, winged warriors!

THE MOTHER-AND-CHILD REUNION THAT ALMOST NEVER WAS

A pair of Canada geese take up residence at the courtyard at the University at Buffalo’s School of Law just about every spring. It’s clean, it’s bright…the perfect site to lay eggs. After all, it’s totally protected from predators. There’s just one catch. When the goslings hatch and it’s time to move them along, there’s no way out. That’s when SPCA officers and rescue team members receive the annual call.

This year’s rescue proved to be a little frenzied, to say the least. The way SPCA Officer Lindsey Wood described it, she, Officers William Heine and Jasil Ivory, and visiting Lincoln Memorial University veterinary student Brittany arrived at the courtyard to begin rounding up the babies with the goal of capturing mom, too, to release the family together. This year, however, dad and mom wanted nothing to do with corralling the kids, and left the courtyard on their own. As they’ve had to do in the past, the team from the SPCA wrangled the goslings and hoped to meet the parents just outside the courtyard, where the babies could be released; that’s when dad and mom usually take over.

After being scooped up into a large cage, this year’s goslings were released on the grassy knoll outside the courtyard, just as several generations’ worth of goslings had been in years past.

However, dad and mom were nowhere to be found.

After waiting almost half an hour, allowing the goslings to call out to their parents, the officers recaptured the little ones (more difficult this time, finding them in grass rather than on enclosed courtyard pavement) and placed them back in the cage. Then Officer Wood, despondent but not ready to give up, raised the cage straight up in the air, over her head, and held it there. Think John Cusack’s Lloyd Dobler and that giant boom box in the 80’s blockbuster Say Anything. The last thing the officers wanted to do was orphan the goslings, and Officer Wood hoped dad and mom were still paying attention and would return after hearing the goslings’ continual chirps.

Still nothing.

Finally, Officer Wood and the rest of the team thought dad and mom may not be coming back this time. They sadly loaded the babies in the SPCA’s truck and started to drive away…just as two grown geese flew overhead and landed in a lower courtyard nearby….and watched…and waited.

Officers Wood and Ivory hopped out of the vehicle, grabbed the cage, and ran as fast as they could toward where the grown geese landed. After a few more peeps and cheeps from the goslings, the parents started to approach the officers to reclaim their babies. The officers RE-released the little ones, then swiftly ran back to the truck before dad could reach them to give them a piece of his mind.

With Officers Wood and Ivory safely back in the truck, the happy family turned and waddled away to their new lives on the other side of the wall. Mission accomplished. The mother (and father) and child reunion was successful for yet another year, despite the rescue’s ups and downs. Well, several downs. But to paraphrase Lloyd Dobler, if you start out depressed, then everything’s kind of a pleasant surprise.

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WINNING RECORD FOR BALTIMORE ORIOLES IN BUFFALO

The Toronto Blue Jays might be receiving all the local attention right now, but at the SPCA Serving Erie County, we’ve been rooting for the Baltimore Orioles. Make that one Baltimore Oriole in particular.

After a short, rehabilitative stay with us, a gorgeous Baltimore Oriole was released May 27 by SPCA Wildlife Director Barbara Haney, as seen in this video:

It reminded her that, five years ago to the very day, May 27, we celebrated the release of another Baltimore Oriole, whose tiny, injured wing received a tiny pin once it was determined that the injured wing would not be able to heal using only a wrap. Dr. Karen Slote (then Dr. Karen Moran) performed the surgery; in the short video below from May of 2016, you’ll learn more about the surgery, see the tiny pin, and watch the eventual release! Seems the Baltimore Orioles are the real winners in Erie County, NY! (No offense to the Blue Jays, of course.)

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A FINE PILEATED PARABLE

Finally, from the “If Only One Animal’s Life Is Changed, It Was Worth It” file, meet Kelly Hupkowicz of Buffalo. The last week of May, Kelly happened to be driving along Clinton Street just past Girdle Road when she spotted a large, adult Pileated Woodpecker on the side of the road…alive, but seemingly unable to fly. “I’m not sure how I saw him,” Hupkowicz said. “There was an area of the road cleared out, but the view of him was obstructed. He could have easily been hit, or, if a driver noticed him at the last minute and veered so as not to hit him, it could have caused a pretty bad accident.”

Hupkowicz said another driver noticed that she had pulled over and, after driving to a nearby gas station to grab a cardboard box in which to place the bird, he covered the bird with an extra sweater Hupkowicz had in her vehicle and placed it in the box. “It was a large bird, a grown bird, clearly unable to fly. Once he was inside the box, however, he was kind of loud and walking around.”

Still uncertain as to whether the bird had suffered a life-threatening injury, she knew she needed to get help quickly. As she started to drive, she called a couple places using voice control and Bluetooth, but received no answer. Hupkowicz then thought of the SPCA Serving Erie County. She grabbed her phone to punch in the phone number since the SPCA was not already on her “Contacts” list.

At this point, Hupkowicz shared good news and bad news. The good news? SPCA Wildlife Director Barbara Haney answered on the first ring and was in the process of telling Hupkowicz to bring the bird right over. The bad news? Within mere seconds, Hupkowicz was pulled over by a West Seneca Police officer for having a phone in her hand while driving.

Hupkowicz tells us she has been driving for 35 years and never received a ticket. “The officer was very nice,” Hupkowicz said, “and even wrote on the ticket that I was talking to a representative of the SPCA about trying to save this animal’s life.”

Upon arrival at the SPCA, “Barb was so nice, and calmed me right down!” Hupkowicz said, after sharing the fact that Haney heard the entire exchange between Hupkowicz and the officer since the phone call was still live once Hupkowicz was pulled over. “She was so appreciative, and could see that I was flustered and worried and stressed. Barb kept thanking me for doing such a good thing, and told me how rare the bird is. ‘Think of it this way,’ she said, ‘…you’ll never forget this day!’ She’s RIGHT! I asked her to please let me know how the situation turns out.”

After being examined by SPCA Wildlife Veterinarian Dr. Karen Slote, it was determined that the disoriented woodpecker did, in fact, require oxygen, but fortunately had no other serious injuries. Later in the week, once the bird passed a test flight with flying colors (wink), he was deemed releasable, and  SPCA Officer William Heine and Agent Leanne Webb released the woodpecker in a safe, wooded area (see photos).
   
   

Hupkowicz says she’s thankful for the SPCA Serving Erie County and the Wildlife Department, Director Barbara Haney in particular. “I’m more than happy to pay the fine required by the ticket if it means that’s what was necessary to save this bird’s life!”

Needless to say, Hupkowicz tells us she’s happy to now have the SPCA Serving Erie County’s number in her contacts…and that she’s also happy she had an extra sweater in the car that was used to cover the bird to scoop it up and place it in the box. “If I didn’t have that extra sweater,” jokes Hupkowicz, “I’d have received TWO tickets!”

See an animal in need of rescue in Erie County? Please call the SPCA Monday through Sunday, 8 a.m. – 7:30 p.m., at (716) 875-7360, ext. 214.

In an effort to keep community members aware of the SPCA’s current policy regarding FIV+ cats, we are reposting this informative article from August of 2020.

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SPCA CHANGES POLICY CONCERNING FIV+ CATS

August 6, 2020
By:  SPCA Vice President of Veterinary Services Melanie Rushforth & Director of Behavior and Research Miranda K. Workman

The SPCA Serving Erie County is making a change in its policy concerning the adoption of cats testing positive for Feline Immunodeficiency Virus, or FIV.

Previously, the SPCA only allowed the adoption of FIV+ cats to families with no other felines, or families with other FIV+ cats. Current research, however, supports the adoption of FIV+ cats into homes that include non-infected felines.

The SPCA’s new Director of Behavior & Research, Miranda K. Workman, in collaboration with SPCA Vice President of Veterinary Services Melanie Rushforth and SPCA Shelter Veterinarian Dr. Allison Kean, says, “Based on current research, FIV+ cats can live successfully in multi-cat households that include non-FIV+ cats with extremely low risk of transmission, especially when all cats in the group are prosocial. Research shows that rate of transmission is much less likely than originally thought many years ago.”

Rushforth offers the following information concerning FIV:

“FIV is an immune deficiency virus belonging to the same family of viruses that include human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) causing human AIDS. This is not to say that the viruses can cross from cat to human or human to cat, but merely explains why the medical consequences of FIV in cats can be very similar to those experienced by people with HIV. As with people living with HIV, cats infected with FIV require extra medical care and extra attention to their diet and health. And as with people living with HIV, cats infected with FIV can live long, healthy lives. FIV is not easily transmitted between cats. Therefore, other than ensuring that there is no fighting and biting, most cats with FIV can live happily with one or two other cats and never spread their virus.

Cats with FIV can live long and healthy lives. Many of these cats age normally and do not show signs of FIV-related illness.

FIV is a cat-specific virus-it can only be transferred between cats, and no other species can be infected. Since FIV can cause immunosuppression and, in theory, can increase the risk of a cat succumbing to certain infectious diseases, it is important to have the cat receive twice yearly veterinary care. All cats, including FIV-infected cats, should receive regular flea prevention consistent with the risks in the area they live.

All cats have unique personalities. Cats with FIV are no exception. Since these cats are able to live long, healthy lives, there is no reason that they cannot be a part of someone’s family. There are some who consider that FIV cats may pose too much of a risk to other cats or that the FIV-positive cat is destined to become ill from the virus. These individuals may suggest euthanasia of a cat that tests positive for FIV. This is an absolutely unnecessary measure. Cats infected with FIV should not be euthanized, unless they are actually experiencing a severe, debilitating illness that cannot be treated (as we would with any other cat).”

Workman and Rushforth encourage those considering adoption of an FIV+ cat to speak with SPCA behavior staff and veterinary technicians prior to adoption to answer any questions.

For more information, please contact Rushforth or Workman at the SPCA Serving Erie County: 716-875-7360.

Update, May 4: The first rabies clinic scheduled for May 8 is close to being filled, but there are still several openings for the May 22 vaccination clinic.

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Click on the image below to register for or learn more about the Erie County Health Department’s free rabies vaccine clinics. The clinics are appointment-only, and are being held in conjunction with the SPCA Serving Erie County:

SPCA Officers Rescue Swan from Busy Highway After Concerned Drivers Report Sightings

March 11, 2021
By: SPCA Chief Communications Officer Gina Lattuca

UPDATE, MARCH 12: Members of the SPCA Wildlife Department will continue speaking with representatives of the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) regarding the mute swan rescued two days ago. On a DEC informational website page found here, the organization states that it recently adopted regulations listing the mute swan as a “prohibited” invasive species, which prohibits the sale, importation, transport, or introduction of this species in New York. More information can be found on the DEC website.

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There was no ‘swan song’ for this gorgeous bird last night, thanks to watchful drivers and SPCA animal rescue officers. Side note to those caught in this rush hour back-up yesterday evening on the I-90 near the I-290: at least now you’ll know it was for a good reason!

The SPCA Serving Erie County started receiving calls late yesterday afternoon from concerned drivers about what appeared to be a large swan seen at various places along the I-290.

At dusk, SPCA officers Jasil Ivory, William Heine, and Leanne Webb (celebrating her second day on the job!) were finally able to capture this beautiful swan right near Exit 50.

Thanks to excellent work by the officers, kind assistance from the NYS Thruway Authority  and New York State Police, and several compassionate and patient drivers, the swan is now resting comfortably in the Wildlife Department at the SPCA’s Harlem Rd., West Seneca shelter, where the bird is being examined and evaluated. 

The bird has been identified by wildlife professionals at the SPCA as a first-year Mute Swan, an invasive, non-native species. SPCA Wildlife Department Director Barbara Haney has been in constant communication with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and will have more information to report on the swan’s prognosis within the week.

Posted here are photos of last night’s rescue, another example of a community coming together to save the life of a beautiful animal, and an example of yet another way the SPCA Serving Erie County has continued to serve the people and the animals of this community throughout the pandemic. 

Remember, the SPCA Serving Erie County’s important programs and services are funded *only* through donations. Make your gift today and be part of these incredible animal rescues and rehabs!

Be Part of the SPCA’s Rescues & Rehabs >>