More on the SPCA’s PAWS FOR LOVE Program >>
Kenmore Farmers Market: 2919 Delaware Ave., Kenmore, NY.
–Gina Lattuca, SPCA Chief Communications Officer
The SPCA Serving Erie County is assisting Buffalo neighborhoods most affected by the Jefferson Ave. killings of May 14. Thank you, Mike Randall, Emily Lampa, and WKBW-TV Ch. 7, for helping to share the news of the assistance available to the community through the SPCA. Click on the images below to view each story:
–Gina Lattuca, SPCA Chief Communications Officer
Reading to SPCA Animals is Back!
New Tale for Two Season Offers In-Person and Virtual Options.
September 1, 2021
By: SPCA Chief Communications Officer Gina Lattuca
The SPCA Serving Erie County is now welcoming readers into its 2021 – 2022 season Tale for Two program, encouraging children ages six through 16 to read aloud to adoptable animals at the SPCA, or therapy pets who are volunteers of the SPCA’s Paws for Love program! 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.
If registered for in-person reading, one adult and one child can visit the SPCA’s 300 Harlem Rd., West Seneca shelter to read aloud to shelter pets. To remain consistent with COVID-related occupancy guidelines, only six child/adult teams will be allowed on the Adoptions floor at any given time, so space is extremely limited.
Virtual reading will take place on a 
Zoom call, during which participants will read to a Paws for Love therapy animal. Each virtual session will conclude with an opportunity for the child to ask the shelter representative questions about the animal or the SPCA.
This year’s reading season begins October 4, and is available in a three-month package (program cost: $50 for one 30-minute in-person reading session per week, or unlimited 30-minute virtual reading sessions); a ’21-’22 school year package (program cost: $85 for one 30-minute in-person reading session per week, or unlimited 30-minute virtual reading sessions; this package has an end date of June 9, 2022); or a full year 12-month package (program cost: $125 for one 30-minute in-person reading session per week, or unlimited 30-minute virtual reading sessions; this package has an end date of September 15, 2022).
In-person shelter reading opportunities along 
with virtual reading slots are available Mondays and Wednesdays, 5 p.m. – 6:30 p.m., at the SPCA’s 300 Harlem Rd., West Seneca shelter.
Children can read from their own reading materials, or make a selection from the SPCA’s library.
REGISTER NOW to choose your reading package and to select your desired virtual orientation date (orientation is mandatory for adults and recommended for the child readers). Space is extremely limited. For more information on Tale for Two, please contact SPCA Director of Humane Education Christine Davis at 716-875-7360, ext. 262, or christined@yourspca.org .
Register for TALE FOR TWO now!
From the SPCA’s Humane Education Department regarding the safety of children participating in one of the Humane Ed programs:
“The SPCA Serving Erie County has and always has had strict cleaning and safety policies in place due to the nature of animal sheltering and the potential for zoonotic disease exposure. During the age of COVID-19, we will follow all CDC guidelines and recommendations. At this time, the SPCA Humane Education Department requires social distancing and masks for all participants, regardless of vaccination status. There will also be a temperature check and COVID screening prior to entry.”
Please click on the image below for more information on the SPCA’s Guest Services Coordinator job opening:
ECMC Staff Receiving SPCA Serving Erie County Paws for Love Therapy House Calls
April 14, 2020
By: SPCA Chief Communications Officer Gina Lattuca
The SPCA Serving Erie County Paws for Love therapy animals are hitting the virtual road again as they make more HOUSE CALLS, this time bringing their comfort and care to Erie County Medical Center (ECMC).
When ECMC staff members were asked what could be done to help make them feel just a little better, the response included an overwhelming desire for therapy pets.
Enter the SPCA’s Paws for Love therapy animals. 
The SPCA Serving Erie County Paws for Love two and four-footed volunteers will be making virtual house calls to the staff at ECMC through recorded therapy visits. “SPCA Serving Erie County Paws for Love: HOUSE CALLS, Project ECMC” starts this week; ECMC staff members will be informed about where they can view the “visits” on ECMC’s Intranet site.
ECMC Corporate Associate Medical Director and Emergency Department Attending Physician Dr. Sam D. Cloud said, “Our dedicated clinical and support staff are working many long, difficult hours each day to address the many needs of our diverse patient population during this pandemic. On behalf of us all at ECMC, I am pleased to offer our sincere thanks to the SPCA for providing virtual access to their therapy animals through their ‘Paws for Love’ video visits.”
Read more about the SPCA Paws for Love: HOUSE CALLS program and find a playlist of house calls here >>
The SPCA Serving Erie County shares its gratitude and thanks to the professionals at ECMC for doing everything in their power to help us recover and rebound during the current health crisis. Our hearts, thoughts, and prayers are with you all.
Click on the image below to see Lauren Hall’s story on the SPCA’s Paws for Love program and the Family Justice Center, airing this morning on WGRZ-TV:
Buffalo Bills Visit SPCA Veterans in NFL’s ‘Salute to Service’
November 13, 2019
By: SPCA Chief Communications Officer Gina Lattuca
On Tuesday, November 12, 2019, members of the Buffalo Bills visited veterans connected in some way with the SPCA Serving Erie County as part of the NFL’s ‘Salute to Service’ program!
From the Buffalo Bills: “In recognition of the NFL’s Salute to Service campaign, the Buffalo Bills joined local military veterans at the SPCA Serving Erie County on Tuesday to engage with adoptable animals, and promote the good work the SPCA does for our community. The SPCA’s Paws & Patriots program was developed for veterans in our community in need of giving and receiving special love and attention, and for animals at the SPCA who need exactly the same.”
Honored for past or current service were Joseph Browning, Brian Buck (with SPCA Paws for Love dog Sam), Bruce Clugston, Peter Cooley, Keith Foss, Gary Gonzalez, Dennis Hennessey, Timothy Joyner (with SPCA Paws for Love dog Bruno), Anthony Lattuca, Ray Mandel, John Miller, Allan Monaco (with SPCA Paws for Love dog Jake), Richard Sansone (posthumous recognition), Steven Tuttle, and SPCA staff member Laura Zaranek.
Also on hand to add to the evening’s excitement were SPCA Paws for Love volunteers Brittany Betts (with Brody), Marcy Baumgarden (with Yankee and Dodger), and Deborah Williams (with Sam)!
The SPCA Serving Erie County extends a heartfelt thanks to the NFL and the Buffalo Bills for helping us honor veterans while shining a spotlight on the Paws and Patriots program here at the SPCA for the second year in a row.
If you are a veteran or active service man or woman and would like to learn more about the SPCA’s Paws and Patriots program, encouraging those who have served to work with SPCA shelter pets, please send an email to PawsandPatriots@yourspca.org.
Check out the Buffalo Bills’ photo album here, or by clicking the image below:
See WKBW-TV Ch. 7’s story here, or by clicking the image below:
See WIVB-TV Ch. 4’s story here, or by clicking the image below:
From the Amherst Bee: click the image below to see how Amherst Middle School is dedicating the year to helping the SPCA Serving Erie County’s “Paws for Love” program!
Read the full story on Amherst Middle School’s support of the SPCA Serving Erie County’s Paws for Love Program by clicking the image below!
August 8, 2019:
DOG YOGA AT THE SPCA HAS BEEN CANCELED. THOSE WHO HAVE REGISTERED WILL BE RECEIVING A FULL REFUND. THANKS FOR YOUR INTEREST, AND PLEASE KEEP WATCHING YourSPCA.org FOR UPCOMING PROGRAMS!
