Approximately 80 people took part in the February 9 Community Cat Forum in the Foothills Atrium, including Edie Offhaus and Jill Masset—co-founders of Feral Cat Focus Inc.—who participated via Zoom. The forum was spearheaded by the SQSPCA. (Photo by Allison Hungerford)
By DARLA M. YOUNGS ONEONTA Approximately 80 people attended the Community Cat Forum on Thursday, February 9 at the Foothills Performing Arts and Civic Center. They gathered to discuss the increasing numbers of unowned cats in Otsego County and share strategies which might curtail that growth.
“Community cats” is a term used by the American SPCA to describe outdoor, unowned, free-roaming cats. They can be friendly, feral, adults, kittens, healthy, sick, altered and/or unaltered, and may or may not have a caretaker. A caretaker is a person who monitors and provides care to a community cat, but who is not the legal owner. The only outdoor free-roaming cats who are not community cats are those who have an owner, by the ASPCA’s definition.
This Thursday, February 9, the Susquehanna Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals is hosting a Community Cat Forum at the Foothills Performing Arts and Civic Center in Oneonta. The event begins at 4 p.m. and is free and open to the public.
“Community cats” is a term used by the American SPCA to describe outdoor, unowned, free-roaming cats. They can be friendly, feral, adults, kittens, healthy, sick, altered and/or unaltered, and may or may not have a caretaker. A caretaker is a person who monitors and provides care to a community cat, but who is not the legal owner. The only outdoor free-roaming cats who are not community cats are those who have an owner, by the ASPCA’s definition.
COMMUNITY CAT FORUM—4 p.m. The community is invited to join local animal shelters and experts to discuss how we can help cats in need and steps to mitigate overpopulation. Held at the Foothills Performing Arts and Civic Center, Oneonta. Visit facebook.com/SQSPCA/
BLOOD DRIVE—1-6 p.m. Save up to three lives with the American Red Cross. Quality Inn, 5206 State Highway 23, Oneonta. Register at redcrossblood.org
COOPERSTOWN – Thirty-one days. That’s how long the Susquehanna Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SQSPCA) has to raise $100,000.00 in order to earn an additional $25,000.00.
“Promise for Parkie,” the SQSPCA’s special year-end annual fund campaign, kicked off on Giving Tuesday, November 29. Traditionally the Tuesday after Thanksgiving since its inception in 2012, Giving Tuesday is a national day of giving back to good causes.
Now through December 31, shelter supporters Beth and Gary Glynn will donate an additional $5,000.00 to the SQSPCA for every $20,000.00 raised, up to $100,000.00.
HARTWICK – Dorothy “Dot” M. McLean, 81, of Hartwick, passed away unexpectedly, Friday, October 14, 2022 in Cooperstown, NY.
Dot was born January 26, 1941 in Hobart, NY, the second daughter of the late Leslie and Mary Jane (Whispell) Kelsey.
Dot married Arnold “Cork” McLean on September 20, 1958, and together they raised their children in the Hartwick area. She was a great supporter of all family activities and never missed the annual McLean Family Reunion or an opportunity to square dance with Cork and friends. She loved taking photos and was considered the family photographer, if you were looking for a captured moment go to one of her many photo albums. She was a lover of country music, spent hours watching the hummingbirds from her kitchen window and never passed a covered bridge without taking a photo. She could be found supporting area craft shows over the years and also enjoyed volunteering at the SPCA Thrift Shop on Friday mornings, where she made many new friends.
In partnership with Five Star Subaru and Subaru of America, the Susquehanna Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals will be offering half-price adoptions this month and adoption fees for shelter animals with special needs will be waived entirely.
During the month of October, the Subaru Loves Pets initiative showcases Subaru’s belief that all animals deserve a loving home and reinforces their commitment to support the health, rescue, transport, and adoption of shelter animals. This year, the SQSPCA will receive $100 for every pet adopted during the sale, up to $3,100.
“This is a fantastic program coming again at a time when it is most needed,” said SQSPCA Executive Director Stacie Haynes. “Last fall’s event focused on cats and kittens only, but this year we are including dogs in the half-price sale.”
CONCERT – 5 p.m. The Cooperstown Concert Series presents ‘HEART: A Jazz Ensemble’ featuring the warm, brilliant tones of Melissa Stylianou, Godwin Louis, Chris Dingman and Ike Sturm in an enveloping and powerful quartet. Tickets, $20. Origins Cafe, 558 Beaver Meadow Rd., Cooperstown. Visit cooperstownconcertseries.org/heart-september-18-2022/
Don’t forget to golf for a terrific cause during the Robert B. Schlather SQSPCA Golf Weekend, made possible with support from Kevin’s Royal.
You can schedule a tee time from this Friday, September 16 through Sunday, September 18 at the Otsego Golf Club. Just mention you are golfing for the SQSPCA.
Registration is $60 per golfer and includes greens fees, cart, a hot dog, and support for the shelter!
To reserve a tee time, please call the OGC at 607-547-9290. Call 607-547-8111 or email info@sqspca.org with any questions.
Local dignitaries and animal welfare advocates join Stacie Haynes in presenting some of the SQSPCA’s adoptable dogs
Legislators and representatives of animal care organizations throughout the region gathered at the Susquehanna Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SQSPCA) on Wednesday, August 17 to collectively urge New York State Governor Kathy Hochul to sign the Puppy Mill Pipeline Bill.
SQSPCA Executive Director Stacie Haynes spearheaded the effort, which brought together members of the New York State Animal Protection Federation (NYSAPF), the national ASPCA, state and local officials, and shelter workers in support of the bill, which — if signed into law — would ban the sale of puppies, kittens, and rabbits in New York’s pet stores.
DOG SHOW – 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Bring the entire family out for a fun day with the dogs. Register to show off your four-legged friend in classes ranging from smallest to biggest to best costume and more. There will also be vendors, food truck, children’s activities, and more for the two-legged family members. Entry fee, $15 includes a bandanna & registration for 1 class. Susquehanna SPCA, 5082-5088 St. Hwy. 28, Cooperstown. 607-547 8111 or visit www.sqspca.org/ultimutt-dog-show/
Stacie Haynes, Executive Director of the Susquehanna SPCA, has a frank discussion with a rescued pig in the back of a van.
Thanks to a grant from the John T. and Jane A. Wiederhold Foundation, Otsego County’s only farm animal rescue program is poised to take things to the next level.
The Susquehanna Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SQSPCA) Farm Friends Program began as an offshoot of the Otsego County Animal Cruelty Task Force, an ongoing partnership between the SQSPCA, the Sheriff’s Department, the District Attorney’s Office, and local veterinarians since 2019.
The SQSPCA hosts an animal cruelty hotline, assists with cruelty investigations, and houses and/or finds temporary housing for animals that have been seized from cruelty situations.
The Farm Friends Program and its “Here To Help Hotline” were established in January of 2021 to prevent hardship from escalating to cruelty.
“After two years of patchwork solutions to address an ever-increasing number of situations involving farm animals, we began to analyze our farm animal cruelty data to develop a more proactive approach. It became clear that we — the SQSPCA — are receiving these cruelty calls because there are simply no farm animal rescue or farm relief organizations in this rural and low-income region,” explained SQSPCA Executive Director Stacie Haynes.
PHOTOGRAPHY EXCURSION – 6 – 7 a.m. Enjoy early morning walk and photo lesson all about how to photograph Otsego lake at sunrise. Presented by staff member Kevin Gray providing tips on composition, light & shadow, techniques and more. Cost, $17/non-member. Fenimore Art Museum, Cooperstown. 607-547-1400 or visit www.fenimoreartmuseum.org
GRAND OPENING – 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Celebrate the opening of the Susquehanna SPCA’s new complex with ribbon cutting (10:45 a.m.) and an open house. Come explore the new facility, meet some cute animals (maybe take one home?) and more. Registration encouraged. Susquehanna SPCA, 5082-5088 St. Hwy. 28, Cooperstown. 607-547-8111 or visit sqspca.org/sqspca-ribbon-cutting-open-house-set-for-july-17/
CIRCUS – 5 & 8 p.m. Come one, Come all for fun evening at the Circus sponsored by the Susquehanna Animal Shelter. Seating limited, please bring your own lawn chair. Free, open to public. Cooperstown Center, Phoenix Mills Rd., Cooperstown. 607-544-2600.
The Susquehanna SPCA is having a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 10:45 a.m. Saturday, July 17, in order to celebrate the completion of its animal shelter and campus.
The ribbon-cutting will be followed by an open house until 4 p.m.
The new shelter is at 5082-5088 State Route 28, just south of Cooperstown.
Cooperstown Center to host circus shows
There will be a free circus on Friday, July 16, at the Cooperstown Center and Centers Home Care on Phoenix Mills Road in the town of Otsego.
There will be two performances, at 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. There will be food vendors on site.
Attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs. Seating is limited. Call 607-544-2600 for more information.
