Watchdogs and SPCA unite for care of furry friends
Maria Hayes
Issue date: 12/4/09 Section: Features
The largest animal shelter in western New York's southern tier boasts 60 indoor/outdoor dog kennels, four cat rooms and a barn housing rescued farm animals.
Providing the animals with what they need while remaining a non-profit organization is a struggle.
"Our local shelter is definitely in need of litter, dog food, cat food, treats for both cats and dogs, rags, blankets, bleach and other cleaning products, dishes, toys, brushes, volunteers for the animals, cleaning, landscape and handyman work - pretty much anything you can think of," Flanigan said.
The shelter hopes to expand and improve its Kitty Kingdom, according to the SPCA's Web site. Cats that have been neutered or spayed and vaccinated, lounge about in cage-free rooms that encourage socialization and are more comfortable for the felines. However, the operation procedures and vaccinations cost $60 per cat. With more than 100 cats and more new arrivals each week, the expenses quickly eat away at the monetary funding the SPCA receives.
Bona Watchdogs hopes to bring a little relief to the shelter's various needs.
"Our plans for the future are to continue volunteering at our local shelter," Flanigan said. "We plan to raise money to donate to the shelter. We want to have an animal-goods drive next semester to donate to the shelter and definitely try to get these pets adopted."
Anyone interested in joining Bona Watchdogs can contact Hannah Flanigan at flanighm@sbu.edu.
hayesmr@sbu.edu
Providing the animals with what they need while remaining a non-profit organization is a struggle.
"Our local shelter is definitely in need of litter, dog food, cat food, treats for both cats and dogs, rags, blankets, bleach and other cleaning products, dishes, toys, brushes, volunteers for the animals, cleaning, landscape and handyman work - pretty much anything you can think of," Flanigan said.
The shelter hopes to expand and improve its Kitty Kingdom, according to the SPCA's Web site. Cats that have been neutered or spayed and vaccinated, lounge about in cage-free rooms that encourage socialization and are more comfortable for the felines. However, the operation procedures and vaccinations cost $60 per cat. With more than 100 cats and more new arrivals each week, the expenses quickly eat away at the monetary funding the SPCA receives.
Bona Watchdogs hopes to bring a little relief to the shelter's various needs.
"Our plans for the future are to continue volunteering at our local shelter," Flanigan said. "We plan to raise money to donate to the shelter. We want to have an animal-goods drive next semester to donate to the shelter and definitely try to get these pets adopted."
Anyone interested in joining Bona Watchdogs can contact Hannah Flanigan at flanighm@sbu.edu.
hayesmr@sbu.edu
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