Chenango SPCA

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by: Tyler Murphy

The SPCA celebrated its 100th anniversary in the community in 2007, a year in which the organization made a number of facility improvements.

The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA), has been an active community member in Chenango County since its founding in 1907. In that time the SPCA has transformed considerably. The modern version of the SPCA is one equipped with several advances in understanding the biology and psychology of rescued animals.

“One of the biggest changes we had in the last year was the installation of our new air system. The system exchanges air 12 times in an hour. It helps control the spread of contiguous diseases and allows the animals to get continuous fresh air,” said Executive Director Carol J. Hedlund.

The $75,000 ventilation project replaced the building’s original system which was not designed with the modern kennel in mind, said Hedlund. The money for the project was raised by the non-profit SPCA through donations and fundraisers. The largest of these events is the organization’s Fur Ball. The annual event is held around Valentine’s Day and has become a local tradition. This Feb. 9 will make the Fur Ball’s fourth year.

All proceeds from the fundraiser go to the SPCA. Last year the agency had an “adopt-a-thon,” where patrons adopted 200 stuffed animals donated by the Gund foundation for $10 a piece, and in turn donated the animals to Catholic Charities’ crime victims program. This year the event will have a similar theme revolving around sponsors purchasing children’s books that will be donated to a similar needs group.

“It’s a great community service. Everybody should be a part of a public board. We’ve come along way to a zero base budget, and last year we implemented a very successful capital campaign for the air exchange system,” said SPCA Board of Directors President Gard Turner.

The SPCA hopes to raise enough money to purchase new cages for the shelter this year. “The current cages we use are over 25 years old and could potentially be a hazard to the animals and employees if they aren’t replaced soon,” said Hedlund. The replacement cages and upgrades to the dog kennels is estimated to cost nearly $80,000.

The organization donates a significant amount of time and energy into understanding the background of its clients so that it can make successful long-\ term relationships between animals and their owners. The SPCA actively screens potential owners looking at a number of considerations such as living space and other pets or children that may be in the household.

“A lot of factors fall in this kind of decision that not everyone accounts for ... that’s where we come in - things like cost, compatibility with other animals in the household, children, animal life expectancy, a person’s lifestyle, these things can greatly influence the happiness of a pet and in turn affect the happiness of an owner. We don’t want people turning around in a few months because of problems and bring back an animal. It’s not good for them or us and it’s certainly not healthy for the animal,” said Shelter Manager Lisa Teller.

All of the housed animals at the shelter are vaccinated and tested for contagious illnesses. The facility even has three separate quarantine rooms to help protect the rest of the pets.

The animals, mostly dogs and cats, are carefully monitored by professional animal handlers, such as Teller and Hedlund. If erratic or aggressive behavior is detected in any capacity, the shelter takes proactive steps to deter the animal. If an animal can’t be made safe for adoption, then they are euthanized by intravenous injection.

Hedlund reported that the SPCA on average houses 1,500 animals on a yearly basis. Nearly 65 percent of those are cats. In the past year however the shelter has seen a jump in the number of animals, especially felines, and took in nearly 1,700 last year. The increase has been speculated by the group to be related to warmer than usual weather this past fall.

The past year was a good year for the agency and the shelter further extends its role in educating the public and working with law enforcement. Early in January the shelter welcomed in 37 neglected dogs as part of an ongoing abuse investigation by the Chenango County Sheriff’s Department. Hedlund said that by the time the animals received medical treatment, food and shelter, the costs would rise into the tens of thousands for the non-profit group.

The SPCA’s mainstay theme which has been carried by the group for many years has been to remind people to get their pets spayed or neutered.

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