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Shelter Spotlights
- 1. "Must See" Shelters
- 2. Sweep Program Summary
- 3. "Putting a Roof Over Rover's Head (Operation Kindness, Carrollton, TX)"
- 4. New and Improved in New Hampshire
- 5. Off-Site and On Target (Michigan Humane Society)
- 6. Juvenile Inmates Take HEART (Rehabilitation of Juvenile Inmates)
- 7. "The Humane Society of Yates County, Penn Yan, New York"
- 8. "Phoenix Rising (Chenango County SPCA, Norwich, NY)"
- 9. "The 'Burbs (NMHP, Salt Lake City, UT)"
"The Humane Society of Yates County, Penn Yan, New York"
Julie Morris, Sr. VP, ASPCA National Shelter Outreach
Keeping the Faith
A rural
community builds a shelter.
By Julie Morris
Yates County, in the Finger Lakes region of upstate New York,
is a picturesque spot that makes up in beauty for what it may
lack in modern amenities. Before 2002, there had never been an
animal shelter in this rural, low-income county. But all of that
changed last June when a full-service shelter opened its doors in
the town of Penn Yan. What began as a dream by the Humane Society
of Yates County (HSYC) is now reality, and the organizers'
optimism for the future is reflected in the name that they chose:
Shelter of Hope.
The Humane Society of Yates County, incorporated in 1908, has
a long history. In 1913, the society received a $3,000 trust fund
established by a local man named Mason Baldwin, and interest on
the fund helped support animal cruelty investigations. In the
1930s, an additional legacy of $20,000 was realized. By the
1940s, a number of community members had reenergized the
organization. One of those members, Alice Van Buren, is still
active in the organization today and was given the honor of
cutting the ceremonial ribbon when the Shelter of Hope was
dedicated on June 1, 2002.
Coming Up With the Money
In 1999, animal-loving county residents launched a capital
campaign for the shelter. Their aim was to raise $200,000. They
purchased a "fixer upper" house on four acres and began work in
earnest. Board member Rolf Zerges was instrumental in the
project, working with other volunteers, businesses, citizens and
foundations. In 1998, the campaign boasted a bank balance of
$25,000. Five years later, the HSYC has assets of more than
$400,000, including the sparkling new 3,700-square-foot shelter
and community education center.
The ASPCA National Shelter Outreach department recognized how
deserving the HSYC was of applause and assistance. It provided
two Partners in Caring grants, adding to grants from PETsMART
Charities, the DJ & T Foundation and others. Jim Tedford, the
executive director of the Humane Society at Lollypop Farm
(Rochester, NY), and his staff provided moral support and
guidance and donated all the cat housing. A single volunteer, Bob
Larder, raised a stunning $20,000 over four years by collecting
bottles and cans for recycling. Although currently $140,000 in
debt, HSYC is optimistic that generous community and foundation
support will continue.
The
Payoff
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What You Can Do HSYC's aim is to place every adoptable animal while providing high-quality care at the shelter. Future plans include additional outside exercise runs and a fenced-in area for working with the shelter dogs on agility equipment during their stay. To donate, or to consult with Rolf Zerges - at no charge - on building a Shelter of Hope in your community, contact the Humane Society of Yates County, P.O. Box 726, Penn Yan, NY 14527; or visit www.hsyc.org. |
The faith of
these organizations and individuals has more than paid off with a
successful new shelter. Although volunteers are the backbone of
the Shelter of Hope, two employees handle daily operations. The
onetime fixer upper is now a renovated home decorated in country
style. The building houses an animal boutique called the Wags to
Whiskers Shoppe, community education rooms, a get-acquainted room
for prospective adopters, an animal clinic and quarantine rooms,
a pet grooming area, a climate-controlled adoption center and
administrative workspace. The most important aspect, of course,
is the attached, newly built shelter with a 30-cat capacity and
16 dog kennels. The facility has many recreational amenities,
such as an indoor-outdoor cat play area and an outdoor exercise
area for dogs. That's all without mentioning the fabulous trompe
l'oeil painting on the side of the building that was painted by
local artist Linda Lesko. It adds a crowning touch to this
beautifully restored home that is now a top-notch
shelter.
"Creating the
Shelter of Hope over the past three years has been a real
partnership," says Rolf Zerges. "Local citizens opened their
hearts and their pocketbooks; area businesses contributed
materials and labor; and now, for the first time, Yates County
can be partners with animals in need."
Julie Morris is the senior vice president of ASPCA National
Shelter Outreach.
© 2003 ASPCA
ASPCA Animal Watch - Spring 2003
Courtesy of
424 East 92nd Street
New York, NY 10128-6804
www.aspca.org
Next in
For Shelters: Shelter Spotlights:
"Phoenix Rising (Chenango County SPCA, Norwich, NY)"
