TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 19:
In all, the SPCA received 20 dogs during yesterday’s transport. At this time, the dogs are being examined, evaluated, some are being treated for various issues and are being given time to relax after their long flight. Some will require spay/neuter surgery. We’re hoping to have some of the dogs available for adoption before the end of the week. SPCA animal transport information can be found here.
Later this afternoon, SPCA President and CEO Gary Willoughby, along with other representatives from the SPCA Serving Erie County, will be at Prior Aviation to meet Wings of Rescue (https://www.wingsofrescue.org/), flying approximately 180 adoptable dogs from Lakeland, FL to receiving animal shelters in Pennsylvania and New York.
The SPCA Serving Erie County, one of the two shelters in New York State receiving dogs, will be accepting approximately 21 dogs of a variety of ages and breeds. ALL DOGS WERE AVAILABLE FOR ADOPTION PRIOR TO HURRICANE IRMA AFFECTING THE FLORIDA AREA, and are being transported out of Florida to give the hurricane’s canine and feline victims a safe place to live until they can be reunited with evacuated families.
The flight is expected to arrive in Buffalo, NY today between 4:00 pm and 5:00 pm. As always, these times are subject to change.
Most of the animals have already been spayed/neutered, and those who can be will gradually be placed for adoption at the SPCA’s 300 Harlem Rd., West Seneca shelter sometime this week. More specific information on what dogs the SPCA will be receiving, and when these dogs will be available for adoption, is unavailable at this time. SPCA animal transport information can be found at https://www.yourspca.org/transport.
The transport, sponsored by the Humane Society of the United States, is generously funded by GreaterGood.org. The other New York State shelter receiving dogs is the Chemung County Humane Society and SPCA.
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 8:
With Hurricane Irma on the scene impacting Florida, Wings of Rescue reps are experiencing a change of plans as they work out their response to a second catastrophic situation. The September 12 animal transport to Buffalo has been postponed. Animal Rescue Corps (https://www.facebook.com/AnimalRescueCorps/), another transport partner of our SPCA, is now involved with rescue efforts in TX and contacted SPCA Animal Transport Coordinator Barbara Frazier to ask whether our organization will accept animals as early as next week. More information on this possible transport will be available soon. The ASPCA continues to ask the SPCA Serving Erie County for available space to receive potential transports as well as available staff to assist in rescue efforts, but no firm numbers or dates have been made available at this time.
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 6:
San Antonio dog #2 was made available for adoption yesterday and within just a couple hours was adopted! Aramis, just 1-year-old, will be living in Eden later this week (after he’s neutered) and shows every sign of being ready to become a northern dog!
At this time, the next animal transport is scheduled for September 12, when we’re set to receive dogs from the amazing Wings of Rescue organization, heavily involved with rescue efforts in TX. As always, this information is subject to change. If things proceed as planned, or if another animal transport is scheduled prior to September 12, we’ll notify the community on this page and on our Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/SPCAErieCounty/, as well as via our Twitter account, https://twitter.com/YourSPCA .
VIDEO: See Jeanine, now Bambi, in her new home here!
Jeanine was adopted in record time; she was available for adoption Friday at 11:00 am, and by 11:21 am, arrangements were being made for her to be the newest resident of Elma, NY! She’s pictured here with new brother, Cole, waiting for her adoption to be finalized….and check out this video of Jeanine, now named Bambi, arriving home and meeting Bandit! The video captures just a tiny, little bit of her enthusiasm for her new, loving family!
Another dog from San Antonio, TX has become available for adoption. Aramis is a 1-year-old American Staffordshire Terrier mix waiting at our West Seneca shelter to meet a new family!
As of today there are no reports that our SPCA will be receiving animals from affected areas in Texas this week, but information is changing by the minute. If we receive requests to accept animal transports this week, we’ll release that information on this page and on our Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/SPCAErieCounty/, as well as via our Twitter account, https://twitter.com/YourSPCA .
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 1:
AUDIO: Hear this morning’s radio segment on Jeanine & Hurricane Harvey efforts here .
One of the dogs brought to the SPCA from San Antonio via St. Hubert’s transport yesterday is already up for adoption!
Jeanine (pictured here) was our Newsradio 930 WBEN Newshound during our weekly morning segment with Susan Rose and Brian Mazurowski! Hear more about Jeanine and yesterday’s tranport by listening to that segment here. The Field Investigations and Response Team of the ASPCA has contacted the SPCA about possible personnel assistance in their on-site rescue and about accepting dogs rescued by their organization, and these possibilities are currently being discussed. At this time, the next transport of animals from St. Hubert’s Animal Welfare Center are expected to arrive September 8, and a Wings of Rescue transport is expected September 12; there’s a possibility that both transports will include Houston animals. As always, these dates are tentative and subject to change.
THURSDAY, AUGUST 31:
VIDEO: See today’s transport video here.
Today, the SPCA received 13 dogs from one of our transport partner shelters.
Prior to Hurricane Harvey, these dogs were residing at St. Hubert’s Animal Welfare Center in NJ. They were moved to our shelter so St. Hubert’s can accept dogs from the Texas vicinity. In addition to the 13 dogs from New Jersey, two additional dogs arrived. These two originated from the City of San Antonio Animal Care Services shelter. They, too, were already surrendered to that shelter before the storm hit, but San Antonio is trying to make room as well to accept additional dogs from the Texas region.
All 15 dogs we’re receiving today are being indirectly affected by the storm and are not directly from Houston. PLEASE NOTE: NONE OF THESE DOGS WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR ADOPTION TODAY! For information on these animals and others being transported to the SPCA, please visit this page!
VOLUNTEER NEEDS: We have received so many calls from community members wishing to volunteer to help these animals coming to the SPCA. You’re all wonderful! At this time, there is no need for additional volunteers. That need can change in the future, and if the status changes it will be reported in updates on this page.
DONATION NEEDS: Currently, the primary donations being sought are financial ones. If you wish to be a part of the SPCA Serving Erie County’s Hurricane Harvey efforts with a financial gift, please know it is so appreciated. Gifts can be made at here. Because we are in the beginning phases of this project, we do not know what donation needs there will be concerning animal food, equipment, blankets, newspapers, litter, toys and other items, etc. This need may change in the near future; any needs that may arise will be posted on this update page. In the meantime, thank you for even taking the time to read this section of our update and for considering making a donation of any kind to the SPCA!