SQSPCA To Hold September 7 Study Buddy Weekend Event
COOPERSTOWN—On Saturday, September 7, to kick off the new school year, the Susquehanna Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals will hold another of its popular Study Buddy adoption events. That day, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., both dog and cat adoption fees will be waived; other fees may apply.
“This event is aimed at creating a connection between young people and pets, from grade school to college-aged students,” explained SQSPCA Executive Director Stacie Haynes. “Studies by the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry show there are many benefits for children raised with pets, including contributing to a child’s self-esteem and self-confidence, developing trusting relationships with others, and developing non-verbal communication, compassion, and empathy while providing physical activity, comfort contact, love, loyalty, and affection.”
Many families in the region struggle with financial insecurity, Haynes said, adding that more than 60 percent of Otsego County students enrolled in public schools are eligible for free or reduced lunch through the National School Lunch Program, according to the “2023 Community Needs Assessment for Otsego County” released by Opportunities for Otsego.
“Our free event will make it easier for families to adopt a pet by waiving adoption fees and making pet food available at no cost through our pet pantry,” Haynes added.
SQSPCA’s Study Buddy program will also reach out to area college students and encourage them to participate in the shelter’s foster program.
“We currently work with SUNY Oneonta and Hartwick College students who foster dogs and cats awaiting adoption throughout the school year,” Haynes continued. “By fostering or adopting a pet, college students benefit from the emotional support that pets provide, a reduction in stress and anxiety, time management skills related to pet care, increased social interaction, and greater exercise and physical activity.
“Our shelter animals benefit from the great companionship, comfy home life, and amazing enrichment that living with college students brings,” Haynes said.
The SQSPCA will further contribute to the well-being of area students by supporting access to additional resources. This will include offering back-to-school supplies, compliments of Leatherstocking Region Federal Credit Union, sending home Chobani yogurt products that can be used in kids’ lunches, after school, or during study breaks, and providing water bottles supplied by NYCM Insurance.
In addition, SQSPCA is partnering with HeadCount, the mission of which is to “use the power of music and popular culture to register voters and promote participation in democracy.” According to Haynes, HeadCount and their local volunteers will provide a non-partisan voter registration opportunity for attendees aged 18 and over as part of its collaboration with The Daily Show’s 2024 InDogCision to support dog adoptions.
“Their stated goal is to increase visibility for dog adoption events and encourage voter registration and engagement in a positive way. As we are at the start of the school year and in the midst of campaign season, this seemed like a perfect pairing for our Study Buddy adoption event,” Haynes said.
HeadCount will have free giveaways for people and pets in addition to a chance to win a trip to New York City to see The Daily Show.
“By having multiple resources in the same place at the same time, we can make a greater impact in the community and support human welfare and animal welfare, both of which are interdependent,” Haynes said.
The first 80 students to participate on September 7 will receive free donor-sponsored SQSPCA book bags. Stewart’s Shops is also donating ice cream for the Study Buddy event.
Organizations or individuals interested in sponsoring adoptions, contributing donations of food or treats for pets, snacks for students or other items that would be helpful for students in elementary school through college are asked to contact Sarah Wilcox at (607) 547-8111 or swilcox@sqspca.org.
