The Chemung County Humane Society and SPCA, along with State Senator, Tom O'Mara (R-C, Big Flats), Chemung County Executive, Thomas Santulli, and City of Elmira Mayor, John Tonello, have joined together to declare February 22, 2011 as "Spay Day 2011" in Chemung County and the surrounding area. "Spay Day" is a national day of awareness for the animal overpopulation problem. Senator O'Mara, County Executive Santulli, and Mayor Tonello are all signing proclamations declaring the day "Spay Day" and Senator O'Mara is also sponsoring a Senate Resolution.
"I'm grateful for the opportunity to help support the Chemung County Humane Society and SPCA, along with so many area veterinarians and animal shelters, to raise public awareness of this challenge. It's a great effort and an important community initiative," said Senator O'Mara.
To celebrate "Spay Day" this year, the Chemung County SPCA held an online pledge drive throughout February. To date, the shelter has already raised enough in donations to spay and neuter 12 of its shelter animals before they are adopted. Four animals, two cats and two dogs, each week have "raised" money online to be "fixed." To participate, please visit www.chemungspca.org.
Local area veterinary practices are also celebrating "Spay Day" by donating their services to the Chemung County SPCA to help spay and neuter shelter animals. In total, 32 spays and neuters have been donated by Agape Veterinary Clinic, Broadway Animal Hospital, Chemung Valley Veterinary Clinic, Compassionate Companion Care, Corning Animal Hospital, Lake Road Animal Hospital, and Rio Vista Veterinary Hospital.
The Chemung County Humane Society and SPCA, The Elmira Animal Shelter, The Horseheads Animal Shelter, Spay/Neuter Assistance Program of the Southern Tier Inc. (SNAP), and Shelter Outreach Services (SOS) have also come together to offer another spay/neuter clinic for qualified individuals in the month of February. This means during the month of February, participating organizations will have come together to alter an extra 77 animals.
"Animal overpopulation plagues our community, and so many others like it, because of the uncontrolled and irresponsible reproduction of animals," said the Chemung County SPCA's Executive Director, Barbara McLean. "'Spay Day' brings light to this sometimes hidden problem and helps encourage people to get their animals spayed or neutered, not only for one day, but throughout the year."
Published: February 21, 2011
The Chemung County Humane Society and SPCA is celebrating 120 years of operation on February 21, 2011. The shelter, now located on State Route 352 in Big Flats, has seen its challenges and successes, including a period of brief closure in 1979. Despite its many challenges, the organization has managed to endure for more than a century to serve the homeless, abandoned and abused animals of Chemung County and the surrounding area.
"I think the longevity of the organization is a real testament to the generosity and compassion of the community we serve," said Barbara McLean, Executive Director of the Chemung County SPCA. "I am so proud of what the shelter has become, the quality of the care that we give the animals, and the expertise of our caring staff."
This year, the organization is holding a 120th fundraising campaign to help the shelter continue its efforts. The shelter is asking community members to consider making a one time or recurring donation of $12, $100, $120, or $1,200.
The shelter also will unveil on February 21, a special 120th anniversary slogan, "120 years of helping animals go from homeless to hopeful." In conjunction with this slogan, the shelter will be unveiling a series of promotions and innovative ideas to help more animals be adopted throughout the year. For more information on the year-long anniversary celebration, please visit www.chemungspca.org.
When the shelter first started, it did not even have a building to operate out of and from its first, small shelter on Lowman Road, which opened in 1942, the organization has grown leaps and bounds in its 120 years of existence and now takes in nearly 2,000 homeless, abandoned, abused, and unwanted animals each year.
Most recently, in February 2009, the shelter announced a $350,000 budget deficit and informed the public that if this deficit was not made up, it may have to close. Thanks to the community's generosity the organization met its fundraising goal, allowing it to stay open.
Over the next few years, the shelter's focus will be on: continuing to provide a combined approach to combating animal overpopulation, tackling issues with our aging facility, cooperating with other like-minded organizations, and finding innovative ways to provide the best quality of care to the animals at the lowest possible costs to the public.
An ice-covered river may be beautiful, but it's dangerous to walk on river ice - not just for people, but pets too.
The Friends of the Chemung River Watershed and the Chemung County Humane Society and SPCA remind the public to keep their pets on a leash when walking near an ice-covered river or stream.
"Around the river, it is important for people to treat their pets just as they would a child that is unaware of the hidden danger," said Barbara McLean, Executive Director, the Chemung County Humane Society and SPCA. "If allowed to run on the ice a dog can slip and possibly injure itself, or the ice can crack and the dog could fall into the river."
A dog may chase an animal onto thin ice or run after a thrown ball or stick that mistakenly bounces onto the ice.
Rivers, streams and moving water do not freeze uniformly. While the ice near shore may be thick and solid, areas above a fast moving or warmer current may be thin and fragile. Snow cover increases the danger, because you and your pet can't see the ice beneath it.
Rivers and stream levels rise and fall during the winter. Ice may form when the river is high and the water surface supports the weight of the ice. But when water levels fall, there is nothing between the ice and the cold water but space.
If you see an animal go out onto the ice and fall in or injure itself, you can call the area police department.
Please, stay off of river and stream ice and be especially careful when walking or running with your pets near a river. Winter exercise for people and pets can be fun, as long as you keep it safe.
This February, the Chemung County Humane Society and SPCA is urging you to "Follow Your Heart" and adopt one of the members of the Lonely Hearts Club. This club is made up of the cats 12 cats who have been at the shelter the longest.
During the "Follow Your Heart" promotion, these cats will be offered for adoption at $37.50, which is a 25 percent discount off the regular adoptions price of $50. The price includes shots, microchip, spay or neuter deposit and 30 days of free pet health insurance with qualifying criteria.
Please note that due to the weather, the SNAP Clinic for Wednesday, Feb. 2 is canceled. If your pet was scheduled during this time, a SNAP representative will get a hold of you to reschedule your appointment.
Published: January 25, 2011
The Chemung County SPCA would like to thank Competitive Edge Solutions for sponsoring this week's Pet of the Game segment on Friday, January 28. The puck drops at 7:35 p.m., so make sure to be in attendance to see which dog takes the ice during the second intermission.
CELEBRITY CHEF TASTING EVENT TO BENEFIT THE CHEMUNG COUNTY SPCA
On Friday, January 21, 2011 starting at 6 p.m., Hill Top Inn, Wegman's and WETM-TV will sponsor a celebrity chef tasting event to benefit the Chemung County Humane Society and SPCA at Hill Top Inn in Elmira. Local celebrity chefs will prepare and demonstrate their recipes to the attendees and then participants will feast on the demonstrated dishes prepared by Hill Top Inn's culinary team while enjoying wines and beers
Tickets are $59 plus tax and service if purchased 10 days before the event and $69 if purchased after that. Twenty percent of the ticket sales go directly to benefit the animals at the Chemung County SPCA. Guests will be allowed to meet and greet the chef's during a complimentary cocktail hour which begins at 6:00pm. For more information or to purchase tickets, call Hill Top Inn at (607) 732-6728.
Published: January 6, 2011
The Chemung County SPCA would like to thank Hesselson's for sponsoring this week's Pet of the Game segment on Saturday, January 8. The puck drops at 7:35 p.m., so make sure to be there to see which pet takes the ice during the second intermission.
The Chemung County SPCA would like to thank Southern Tier Custom Fabricators for sponsoring this week's Pet of the Game segment on Dec. 17. The puck drops at 7:35 p.m., so make sure to be there to see which pet takes the ice during the second intermission.
The Chemung County SPCA would like to thank the Holiday Inn Elmira and Horseheads for sponsoring this week's Pet of the Game segment on December 10. The puck drops at 7:35 p.m., so make sure to be there to see which pet takes the ice during the second intermission.
Sitefinity ASP.NET CMS