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It is amazing what you and your ragtag group at Zootoo have done for all shelters and the awareness of there many needs. all the animals are blessed with your groups help and the awarenees of there needs. I believe our shelter has real need as many other shelters do, Im glad that i'm not the one who has to decide which shelter is in most need. Thanks for all your help!

Thanks zootoo for bringing awareness to the animals at the shelters and encouraging people to adopt from a shelter. The SPCA in Cattaraugus County has one of the most dedicated volunteers and staff that you can imagine. Animals that are considered "unadoptable" by most shelters due to their age or handicaps are treated with the same loving care as the younger and healthier animals. The SPCA in Cattaraugus County provides real hope for the animals in our community

What a tough decision, trying to pick the most shelter that is most worthy of the top prize. I'm reading about some of the other top 20 shelters and watching the videos, and there are so many that have a need for financial support and are really doing a good job helping animals.

I'm glad that the contest has helped raise donations and adoptions for so many shelters. I am still hoping that the SPCA of Cattaraugus county is the winner. They are such an awesome group of people. I read that the director doesn't even get paid, but has been working there for 23 years. Those are people with their hearts in the right places, for sure. They do it all.

I hope that this contest will cause more communication and sense of community, so that some of the bigger shelters would share some of their ideas for fund-raising and so on. This doesn't have a budget to afford a department for fundraising and PR, but I'm sure that people with those skills would volunteer to help out. I'm afraid that alot of the lower-budget shelters are so busy with day-to -day care, that they don't have the manpower to also do solicit corporate gifts and so on. Also, this whole area is so badly depressed, that I'm afraid the funding is just not there. That doesn't mean that the need is not there though.

I can't even describe how wonderful the people are at this shelter. They will rescue any type of animal and care for it until it is placed. I am not able to have any pets where I live except than Sweet Pea (my bird), but when I get my own house and don't have to worry about apartments that don't allow pets, I'm going straight to Olean and look for a dog. Until then, I'll just try to help with some donations. I'm worried, though, that not many people in the area can afford to give. I'm worried that money donations haven't increased much lately, as they may have in other places.

Thank you for this contest and how it has helped so many animals. Please recognize how special Cattaraugus County SPCA is and how they stand out.

Unfourtantley it has to be hard for you to choose a shelter by only seeing their deeds in one big overview. Our shelter does so many great things that im not sure any of us (except kelly who is apart of it all) can really learn about them ALL through our whole time volunteering for th is shelter. There are just so many things and hopefully with this tiny glimpse you get to see how absolutley amazing and wonderful this shelter really is for the comunity and behind shelter doors. They really are the most wonderful shelter & Im so glad we made the top 20! Im glad that this got notice out to everyone that the spca in cattaraugus county is a miracle shelter - (something i've known for years!)

Dear Richard and the Zootoo Staff,

Thank you so much for your visit to the SPCA of Cattaraugus County. The way you have chosen to extend your success and good fortune to those without a voice and your creativity in making it cumulative in nature is wonderful.

I was glad to hear you stress the importance of providing spay/neuter services ( which Catt. County continues to provide, even to non-residents). It is a crucial element of a plan to put all shelters out of business someday. How you have mobilized such a huge number of individuals for a good cause is also impressive. And how exciting is it that numbers of adoptions and volunteers have risen already as a result of the contest. Nobody loses!

You and your staff were very positive and approachable, so we really enjoyed talking with you. Your demeanor was that of someone genuinely devoted to a good cause and your enthusiasm is infectious. (I found that refreshing in this day where celebrity and publicity are valued more than service or benevolence.) So thanks for listening and sharing your ideas and experiences.

More importanly, I thank you for the commendations and recognition to the staff of the shelter......

After all this time, I still marvel at what these people accomplish even with such a terrible lack of monetary support. When we met them, they didn't even have a washer and dryer due to a fire. But the animals didn't suffer for it. Until they could be replaced, everything was line-dried and no one went without their blankets. And the staff wasn't complaining...they were just expressing gratitude that the animals were OK.

Cattaraugus County is a badly depressed area. Although rural and smaller in human population, the area served is large (40 communities) and the animals still numerous. They complete rescues which often involve large numbers of animals, many of which are (large) farm animals. I understand that there was once an emu rescued and placed, so I'll go so far as to say some are weird animals as well.

How, you might ask, do they do all of this on such a ridiculously spare budget? I thought that I knew alot about this shelter because I feel so devoted to it. However, I wasn't aware until last week that the director- Kelly Chaffee- has served all of these 24 years but DOESN'T DRAW A SALARY ! I have always felt that they are in this for the right reasons, but this astonishes me.

There are a multitude of non-profit organizations of every size and type around, but the people at the top usually draw good salaries nonetheless. And I know that the individuals here who are paid do not get what they are worth. They always go above and beyond anyway.


As everyone knows by now, I am the mom of Ben & Jerry(my dog-faced boys). They are 2 beautiful collie mutts that we were lucky enough to find and adopt from this shelter 5 years ago. They have really enhanced our lives and we would not have had this privilege without the no-kill policy of the shelter.


So I can't express how high my opinion is of these people.....

Therefore, I appreciate the Zootoo visit and your gracious treatment of the shelter staff. I realize they are motivated by the intrinsic rewards of their work but I'm so glad that they had an opportunity to be officially recognized by you and their community.

Naturally, I think that my shelter is the most deserving and most in need of the makeover prize. I hope that the dedication of supporters is clear when these "little" shelters with fewer members have been able to rival or exceed the points accumulated by those in more highly populated areas. Please don't overlook the degree of need in rural areas, as the numbers of animals in need is not proportionately lower.

Remember also that the organizations on very restrictive budgets will know how to spend every penny wisely. When one hasn't had much money, they have learned how to economize well. The top prize is enough to vastly improve several shelters and help them carry on their good work. Luckily, one didn't have to make the top 20 to benefit from the contest.

I will remain supportive of the SPCA of Cattaraugus County. I hope that you have found them to be as extraordinary as I find them to be.

Many thanks for all you have done for all of the animals.

Thanks for coming to the SPCA in Cattaraugus County, Zootoo. The SPCA in Cattaraugus County is a place where each and every animal is loved unconditionally. The respect and love for the animals is so powerful that is doesn't even seem earthly. It is amazing how there are around 200 animals and all the workers/volunteers know every one of their personalities. The workers worship the ground the animals walk on, and we view them as a lot more than just "pets." They are dear friends to us. The animals would do anything in the entire world for us, and we will do anything and everything for them. This is the type of place that would make many more miracles if they had a million dollars.

Thanks Zootoo and the SPCA in Cattaraugus County. You are both doing your part to help save animals and find them homes.

Unfortunately I couldn’t make it to the SPCA on April 17th for the Zootoo visit. After watching the video and reading the journal it looks like the day went very well.

The SPCA in Catt. County is certainly deserving of the Zootoo makeover. Their mission and goals always put the animals first. A shelter makeover would definitely allow them to devote even more time and energy to the animals, particularly since the distractions of facility issues would disappear.

I love your last sentance "what a fabulous & creative group of people @ the spca in cattaraugus county" - I dont think that this could be any more true. Kelly is definatley the glue for this shelter & on top of it she does it all for free. Im friends with amy & I know all of the wonderful things this woman does for that shelter. She's the type of person who gets up in the middle of the night to get a cat. Who stays till 11 o clock to return a missing dog to frantic owners. The person who gives all of her money to make sure the animals are taken care. In such a small community - the heart of the shelter and this community could take on the country. I am so glad that on April 17th you got to see what I see in this shelter every day!

This is an amazing event that you have created here - you are definatley heaven sent!


thanks you so much

Catt. Co. SPCA is the shelter to pick for the shelter makeover because we have such great potential. The shelter could become a model for what can be with the right supports. We could expand our spay and neuter programs and take better care of the animals that do need shelters. We could have a more homelike setting for them so when they find their forever homes, it will be easier. With our pond, we could make a sanctuary like setting, making it a place people would like to come to and see the animals instead to the cold, dank "cells" they now have to endure. If you want to get the most "bang for your buck" and draw countrywide attention to your mission, Catt. Co. is the way to go. The result would be breathtaking, I promise!

ZOOTOO......ZOOTOO...ZOOTOO it is still echoing in my ears from your visit to the SPCA in Cattaraugus County the other day. It was a great opportunity for animal lovers and SPCA supporters to rally for the animals as we welcomed you and your crew. When your crew arrived, there was excitement and hope in the air as the people chanted ZOOTOO
It was sooo touching to hear Kelly and Amy sing to you while the black pups in the background barked in tune. It made me want to howl along myself.
Thank you for all that you are doing to raise awareness and much needed financial support. We all do what we can to make a difference, but, you are to be commended for using your good fortune and turn it into a once in a lifetime opportunity for a multitude of animals and their human guardians.
I can't wait to see where this whole ZOOTOO whirlwind goes!

dear topcat (richard t.)

I would like to you to know how absolutley appreciative we are that this blessing came along. I can't thank you enough for this opportunity. Although I believe we are the shelter for the million dollar makeover i think just having this opportunity at all was just really awesome. I think all of us shelters would agree - this is definaltey something we will never forget :-D

Dear Richard and the entire Zootoo team,

Thank you! Your shelter makeover contest is helping to bring attention to the many animal shelters across the country. We had a wonderful crowd of supporters from our community during your visit to our shelter on April 17th. It was great to see the shelter staff, volunteers, and community rally together for the good of the animals.

The SPCA in Cattaraugus County is so happy and thankful to be one of the lucky top 20.

Thanks again!

Terrific to see the kids involved. Fascinating to read the journals of the shelter visits. It seems to me there is a bestselling book with wide appeal in these travels.
Go Cattaraugus County! mmk

On behalf of the Mentoring and Service Learning Program at West Valley Central School, I would like to thank the ZooToo team for visiting the Cattaraugus County SPCA. For the past three years we have been volunteering at the shelter doing various activities and bring donations which students have collected at our school. We were glad to give and communicate our support for this wonderful no-kill shelter! It is great to see the kids giving back to an organization which has given, and will continue to provide, so much to the community. We would like to thank the staff members and volunteers at the Catt. County SPCA for accomodating our needs and inviting us to volunteer there. We hope that the shelter can receive the funding and support it needs to continue its mission, caring for the "unwanted" animals, and in the process, educate the community at large. We would also like to thank Kelly and Kim for their willingness to be speakers at our school during our upcoming SPCA Day.

Dear Mr Thompson and staff,
Thank you for coming to the SPCA of Cattaraugus County. Creating this contest has made the community more supportive of our local shelter. Our status went from 37th to 15th in the last 10 or so days of the contest. People were talking about our shlter and the animals. News spread. While I was sitting at a fundraiser for the shelter, many people stopped by and told about their experiences with the SPCA of Cattaraugus County. Many wonderful stories, 1 disappointing one; however even that person donated to our cause. People asked how they could help. Kelly, Phil, Amy, Jim, John and Lisa worked very hard(as did others) to increase our chances of being in the top20. Today, as I spoke with Phil, I realised again how much he and Kelly love the animals. I told Phil that my husband and I would adopt one of the Katrina survivors after our vacation. Phil and Kelly are both helping us find a dog that would fit our family. The personal care they put into the placements makes the difference in an adoption. I can't wait until I get the dog they want me to have. Please choose our SPCA of Cattaraugus County. We need so much and our area of NYS is so financially deprived, with the loss of jobs and closing of factories. That is why we have so many farm animals in our cruelty cases. Thank you again for all that you do.
Esther

Dear Mr Thompson,
thank you for all that you have accomplished with the Makeover Contest. I hope that The SPCA of Cattaraugus County wins, as it is our local shelter. But, even if we don't win the makeover, we have realised how much the community loves us. All of the support has enthused the SPCA staff, encouraged them, and they have all felt the love and thanks of the community. Having a happy staff makes happy animals. The animals relate to the staff's emotions. Having happy animals makes visitors happy and willing to adopt. Which in turn makes the communnity and staff happy. So, in effect, we have already won a great deal. No matter who you choose, all of the shelters have already been blessed. Thank you very much. Thank you also for visiting our shelter and talking to the staff. They are really wonderful people and I am sure they appreciated the attention.
Sincerely, Paul Desnoyers

I brought my boys, Ben & Jerry (humprey & Bogart) and I was so impressed at the turnout for this event. We managed to turn out all these pople, all the lovers of animals, all the VOLUNTEERS, with out a PR budget of 300K + . I hope those who visited today will see what we do with limited resources. thank you to all who mad eit possible for ben and jerry to be in my life these past five years.

I hope we win and I think we will, but even so we have done great things. I am forever in the debt of SPCA of Catt. CO. because you brought Ben and jerry into my life. I love you all.

I was absolutely amazed at the turnout for the event. So many supporters, so may friends, so many lovers of animals. it was a great day, win or lose.

Mr. Thompson

Your truly an inspiration. Im glad that you got to see our small communtiy that does such big deeds. Im glad we got to share our stories with you as well as our cold caused crackling voices! (hehehe) I just want you to know that you have made a huge impact with our shelter and many others im sure. You really have something special and it was a pleasure to meet you and your staff (please know that i think melonie & your camera guy {srry didnt have name} really went out of their way to make us feel really special)

- amy

Thank you so much for coming and visiting our shelter today. It was great. You and your staff were so nice, and it was great to share our thoughts and hopes and everything with you. I'm glad you liked the song Amy and Kelly sang. Amy worked so hard on those lyrics. It was great to show you our shelter and just have a great day with all our community there and friends (furry or not!). Thank you again zootoo. You rock!

What a wonderful day! I cannot remember in my 23 1/2 yrs at the SPCA a more exciting and memorable day! Thank you for coming to our tiny community and speaking the words that so many of us have tried to communicate for years. Your words stating that together we can be a million voices for the animals brought tears to my eyes. All I could think was that somebody was listening all these years!Somebody does understand. Mr. Thompson, that somebody is you! Thank you for all you are doing for animals everywhere!

Kelly

Thank you for taking the time to visit our shelter. I hope your visit to our community and shelter was as enjoyable for you as it was to us. The SPCA in Catt. County tries to make the animals as comfortable as they can and do as much as possible with what little they have, they are making a difference when it comes to the animals in our community. I don’t Know what we would do with out their care and dedication. Thank you Zootoo for getting the message out about shelter awareness.

Thank you so much for visiting our shelter. We were extremely impressed with your team and apprieciate all you are doing for our shelter. The volunteers are truly of a kind and unique heart; they will go above and beyond for any animal. The staff works around the clock to ensure the animals are happy, health, have their blankets, and as spoiled as they can be. Thank you again for your help and for visiting our shelter.

Thank you very much for coming out and checking out the shelter. I feel that the people that volunteer and run the shelter are trying to make a big difference in the lives of these animals. If I could I would take all of those dogs and cats home with me. They are all wonderful pets and I think the staff at the shelter are the reason for that. Again thank you for coming out to our neck of the woods and I hope you have a wonderful time on the rest of your tour.