Archive: Around Town

February 25, 2015 For immediate release  Southern dogs arrive in chilly Ithaca in hopes of finding forever homes The SPCA of Tompkins County recently completed a rescue involving a dozen young dogs from a high kill shelter in rural Alabama.  Thanks to a grant received from the ASPCA and SubaruUSA's 'Share the Love' program, these dogs have a second chance—to remain alive and find loving homes.

The ASPCA, after much research, has developed a M.A.P. Program to connect shelters that have space for incoming animals with those who are facing population issues.  M.A.P, which stands for Moving Animals Places, offered grants to help subsidize transportation costs incurred for shelters enrolled in the program. It is an extraordinary gesture on the part of the ASPCA and SubaruUSA to earmark funds for the local shelters performing this life saving work.

"We are thrilled that we are once again in a position to have the space available to help beyond our own community." says Jim Bouderau, executive director. "We can only do this when space allows; in the last two years, we've been able to take more than 150 animals from other animal welfare agencies. Every animal we take makes room for one more in those agencies striving to create No Kill communities or simply struggling with their own populations. It is very exciting to know that saving 150 lives really means that we've helped save 300 by creating space for other dogs!"

Bouderau and a volunteer left Friday afternoon to meet the transport van in Binghamton and then return to the Tompkins County SPCA to complete the transfer.   Each dog is currently undergoing medical and behavioral examinations and will be spayed/neutered prior to being placed likely next week in the Dorothy and Roy Park Pet Adoption Center.

"Our shelter staff, volunteers, devoted foster families, and the funds from this grant give us the resources to transport dogs in from high kill shelters whose fates are questionable" Bouderau says. "Our community continues to step forward to adopt these southern ladies and gentlemen and to support us financially, so we expect we will find them homes rapidly."

Bouderau reiterates something he has stated many times: "It is easy to forget about the many communities that still have traditional shelters where approximately 70% of the animals who enter don't make it out.  The stories we have heard, pictures we have seen, and the scope of the problem is unsettling. Participating in these dog transfer programs fulfills our mission and feeds our collective soul. We love having the opportunity to help these dogs start their new lives."

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