Desperately needs makeover
Pros: The staff was very nice and helpful. They seemed to care about the animals. The large room with the cubbie boxes for the cats was nice.
Cons: Strong odor when you enter. Made my eyes run. The dog cages were over-crowded.
Reviewed: 4 months ago -- Friday, March 28, 2008
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I wonder if the people who wrote the other reviews visited the same facility that I did. Last April I stopped in looking for a cat to adopt. The first thing that hit me was the very strong odor when I opened the main door. The dog cages were over-crowded and the facility was quite dingy in appearance. The conditions were upsetting to me. The cat room was the most pleasant area. The staff was very nice and helpful. I realize that because of the over-crowding it is difficult to keep it spotlessly clean. Before visiting at the SPCA in Cattaraugus County, I had visited several other facilities in other areas. They were virtually spotless. I know how it can be if done properly and with a suitable facility. You should visit the Warren County Humane Society in Warren, PA. That place is impressive and it should be your goal to strive to match their excellence. The SPCA in Cattaraugus County deserves to win the Makeover Contest. These people are dedicated and work with what they have, but funding is minimal and they really need help. Their efforts should be recognized and the animals will thank us all.
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11 comments found.
I dont think anyone here is saying our shelter doesnt need a makeover but instead of focusing on the need of our makeover - people are focusing on the wonderful job that these people do - because this shelter does so much for the little they have - i think they deserve a five and a wonderful review.
The NO-KILL policy of the SPCA of Catt. Cty. prevents them from receiving federal funding. When I learned this, it seemed backwards to me. My family and I are grateful for their stance, as we found a wonderful pair of dogs there. They had been picked up roaming and the shelter had them for three months before we came across them. They would have cared for them indefinitely, though.
The reason that they have difficulty maintaing the shelter immaculately is not a lack of dedication, but rather a lack of funds. I remember when we first met them, and they didn't even have a dryer. They were line-drying blankets and did it without complaint, but the animals had their blankets! So we tried to help them get a new machine.
The staff is so devoted, that Ben & Jerry still go bonkers when they see them. We have had these dogs for 5 years and they have a good life. The fact that they fondly remember the people at the shelter speaks volumes about the quality of care. They do alot with so little and really deserve a makeover. They focus their efforts on direct care, so if they could get some substantial help with funding, it would be a great help. No one is more deserving.
The reason that they have difficulty maintaing the shelter immaculately is not a lack of dedication, but rather a lack of funds. I remember when we first met them, and they didn't even have a dryer. They were line-drying blankets and did it without complaint, but the animals had their blankets! So we tried to help them get a new machine.
The staff is so devoted, that Ben & Jerry still go bonkers when they see them. We have had these dogs for 5 years and they have a good life. The fact that they fondly remember the people at the shelter speaks volumes about the quality of care. They do alot with so little and really deserve a makeover. They focus their efforts on direct care, so if they could get some substantial help with funding, it would be a great help. No one is more deserving.
she is right about the odor but I'm not sure what she means about "overcrowding".
There are two dogs to most 4'wide by 20' long indoor/outdoor runs. Because we keep them long lengths of time, these dog's need companionship. Also, we have contracts with 40 municipalities so towns bring them to us instead of having them euthanized after the 5 day period. The SPCA never really had a proper ventilation system involved but with this makeover, that would definately be on our list! I think the majority of our support comes from people who are glad we don't kill the animals. Warren does have a great building, but one of their volunteers jumped over to our shelter after one of her favorite dogs got euthanized due to lack of space.
There are two dogs to most 4'wide by 20' long indoor/outdoor runs. Because we keep them long lengths of time, these dog's need companionship. Also, we have contracts with 40 municipalities so towns bring them to us instead of having them euthanized after the 5 day period. The SPCA never really had a proper ventilation system involved but with this makeover, that would definately be on our list! I think the majority of our support comes from people who are glad we don't kill the animals. Warren does have a great building, but one of their volunteers jumped over to our shelter after one of her favorite dogs got euthanized due to lack of space.
What does this woman think a shelter is suposed to smell like? Sure other shelters can smell better, because they get blood money from the gov'tand don't have any difficulties making space because they just kill the overstock. while i appreciate someone saying that CCspca needs a makeover, I resent her comments.
I am curious to know how these other shelters are funded. Are they strictly no-kill or do they collect a fee for every animal euthanized? Did you know the Catt. County is no-kill and for that reason they are DENIED federal funding?
I am sorry that your nose and sense of decoration were offended, but I'm just bristling at your statement that "it could be done properly". Nobody does the right thing more than these people you are criticizing......read some of the stories' like where Kelly enabled a guy going into the hospital to keep his pets by boarding his dogs while he was ill and then HELPING HIM FIND AN APARTMENT WHERE HE COULD HAVE THEM! Look around at how many people would never have found the right pet if they had been put down because space was limited or their arbitrary time period was up!
How about checking in with people who've lost a pet and, after months, been reunited with them because of these folks. They don't think first whether they'll collect a fee or get on TV with some good Public Relations story.....they just go ahead and do what the animals need. isn't that supposed to be what it's all about?
So let's get busy and help them with their mission. Only a short time left.
I am sorry that your nose and sense of decoration were offended, but I'm just bristling at your statement that "it could be done properly". Nobody does the right thing more than these people you are criticizing......read some of the stories' like where Kelly enabled a guy going into the hospital to keep his pets by boarding his dogs while he was ill and then HELPING HIM FIND AN APARTMENT WHERE HE COULD HAVE THEM! Look around at how many people would never have found the right pet if they had been put down because space was limited or their arbitrary time period was up!
How about checking in with people who've lost a pet and, after months, been reunited with them because of these folks. They don't think first whether they'll collect a fee or get on TV with some good Public Relations story.....they just go ahead and do what the animals need. isn't that supposed to be what it's all about?
So let's get busy and help them with their mission. Only a short time left.
All one needs to do is examine the facts, and the conclusion is obvious. this shelter deserves the makeover because they take in the animals that would otherwise be killed by the glorious and holier than thou erie County SPCA. Yet somehow the erie oc***y SPCA is viewed as the protectors of animals, even though they take money to kill animals. Sounds lilke a lot of people dont know the truth.
I don't think that you can compare Warren's brand new facility to the 25 year old SPCA in Catt. Co.. I take obedience classes at the Warren Shelter and yes it is beautifully kept and pretty much state of the art as far as shelter's. It appears to be well run by a caring staff and supported by wealthy backers. I recently visited Catt. Co. SPCA and I feel that they do a wonderful job of housing so many animals. The runs were clean and the staff was very caring. I was impressed on how much they knew (from memory) on each dog that I looked at considering there were around 90 dogs there. They also seem to be taking the overflow of the more agressive dog population which I didn't see at the other shelters that I visited. Obviously they all get these breeds in but must euthanize them or send them to Catt. Co. which increases their load of less desirable adoptees. Although I'm not from Catt. Co. I feel that they are doing a lot better job with an older facility then most SPCA's that have newer shelters that are designed more to impress the people who adopt than the animals themselves. I have not been in the cat room but I know from visiting other older shelters the problem of urine odors build up no matter how clean the facility is kept.
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