Coming off its most successful year ever of aiding homeless and surrendered animals, and those seized by law enforcement, the Susquehanna Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals is seeking sponsors and selling tickets for its first Helping Paws Fashion Show and Benefit to be held on Thursday, June 8 at The Otesaga Resort Hotel.
The SQSPCA’s intake numbers have been increasing every year since 2015 and, in 2022, the shelter cared for a record number of animals—just shy of 1,500. This year’s numbers are already slightly ahead of last year’s, with 541 intakes thus far including the feline low-cost spay/neuter clinics. While animals cared for and rehomed by the SQSPCA are predominantly cats and dogs, 2023 intakes to date have also included bearded dragons, rabbits, guinea pigs, horses, hamsters, a cockatoo, and 15 parakeets.
COOPERSTOWN—The Susquehanna Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals is seeking sponsors and selling tickets for its first Helping Paws Fashion Show and Benefit, to be held on Thursday, June 8 at The Otesaga Resort Hotel.
Following cocktails and hors d’oeuvres at 5 p.m. and remarks by SQSPCA Executive Director Stacie Haynes at 5:30, models will strut the catwalk in The Otesaga’s ballroom bedecked in fashions from a number of local apparel and accessory stores, including Kate’s Upstate, Lake Classic Outfitters and the SQSPCA’s own New Leash on Life Thrift Shop, among others.
Multiple Animal Welfare Organizations Assist Law Enforcement in Rescue of More Than 35 Dogs
NEW BERLIN—The Susquehanna Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals has put out a call for donations of blankets, towels and dog crates as staff works with law enforcement on the scene in New Berlin, where more than 35 dogs have been found living in deplorable conditions. SQSPCA Executive Director Stacie Haynes said a law enforcement official from New Berlin reached out to her this morning for assistance when State Police discovered the dogs while responding to a call at the New Berlin location. Haynes said a number of animal welfare partner organizations are already on site, assisting the SQSPCA in the rescue of the dogs, including the Chenango SPCA and Delaware Valley Humane Society. Representatives from the Cortland County SPCA, Herkimer County Humane Society and the Animal Shelter of Schoharie Valley are on route as well. Haynes said the SQSPCA expects to take most of the dogs, thus the need for the items listed above as well as for food for dogs of all ages. “We’re still here and we’re still finding dogs,” Haynes said at 12:45 p.m. It is unclear at this time whether the dogs have been seized by law enforcement or surrendered. The physical condition and health of the dogs is being assessed by shelter medical staff. The shelter is located at 5082-5088 State Route 28 just south of Cooperstown. Donations can be left outside the shelter on the shelf or at the front desk.
Employees and officials at the Susquehanna Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals believe deeply in education because, the better educated we are, the better we can serve our animals and our community. Promoting the humane treatment of animals through education is, of course, part of our mission. At the same time, our professional staff is dedicated to continued education in order to remain up-to-date on animal welfare industry standards and best practices. One way we do this is by attending conferences.
I write this article today from the airport, as I am on my way to New Orleans with five members of my team for the Humane Society of the United States Animal Care Expo. This is only our second year attending and we are grateful to the C.J. Heilig Foundation for making the trip possible. We returned to Otsego County last year both motivated and inspired as a result of this incredible opportunity. We learned more about how we can help animals—and our community—beyond the walls of the shelter, and how we can work and think differently in order to keep people and their pets together, which many folks do not realize is part of the SQSPCA mission. The Animal Care Expo is also an excellent opportunity to connect with new animal care colleagues, many of whom are experts in the field.
ONEONTA—Angela Zustovich shared this photo of her gorgeous feline, Murphy, and we could not resist putting him on page one for all to admire. “As a nurse working at Bassett with COVID-19 patients at the time, I had secluded myself for the safety of my family and friends; it was definitely a hard time and became very lonely,” Zustovich wrote. “That was when I saw a FB post from Susquehanna SPCA of a cat named Murphy. I took one look at the photo and knew I had to give him a home. I adopted him in April of 2020 and my life was changed ever since! Murphy has brought so much joy to my life. He is such a playful and affectionate cat; I always look forward to his little “sandpaper” kisses when I come home from work. He enjoys sunbathing on the window perch, laying on warm laptops (he is the cutest distraction), bird watching and cuddles. I have him harness trained and he likes going out on mini-adventures on trails around Oneonta, where we reside. He has definitely been a purrfect pal!” We invite you to send pictures of your furry, feathered or finned friends to darlay@allotsego.com. Every week, we’ll select at least one photograph to be highlighted in the newspapers, and a gallery of our readers’ pets is now available for viewing on the AllOtsego.com website at https://www.allotsego.com/furever-friends-and-purrfect-pals/
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
The Susquehanna Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SQSPCA) has set two ambitious year-end goals, and they now need support from the public in order to meet those targets.
The “Promise for Parkie Challenge” has been underway since Giving Tuesday, November 29. If the SQSPCA can raise $100,000.00 by end of day December 31, challenge sponsors Beth and Gary Glynn will give the shelter an additional $25,000.00.
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.
COOPERSTOWN – Thanks to the 2022 ASPCA Subaru Grant Program, the Susquehanna Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SQSPCA) conducted its first-ever canine low-cost spay/neuter clinic on October 20 and 21. The event was held in collaboration with Five Star Subaru of Oneonta.
“Following a model similar to that of our feline low-cost clinics, our medical team was able to spay 10 female dogs and neuter 10 males during the two-day clinic,” SQSPCA Executive Director Stacie Haynes said. “Thanks to our experienced staff, everything went very smoothly.”
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.
Due to staff illness, the Susquehanna SPCA has announced the shelter will be closed to the public for Friday, October 7.
Animals in the care of the animal shelter will continue to receive care and are otherwise unaffected.
Due to the closure, the free rabies clinic that was scheduled for that day will be cancelled. The next one is scheduled for on November 7 from 3 – 6 p.m.
To learn more about the shelter and the services it offers for animals visit https://www.sqspca.org/
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/
