Archive: Around Town

The SPCA of Tompkins County has completed the intake of 23 small dogs from Best Friends Animal Society in Los Angeles and the little Chihuahuas and mixed breed small dogs will start being available for adoption beginning on April 11 and throughout the weekend.

“We are thrilled that we were once again in a position to work with Best Friends Animal Society Los Angeles to transport 23 small dogs to Ithaca!” says Jim Bouderau, executive director.

Little dogs like Paprika, a Miniature Pinscher/Chihuahua mix. Pringles, a Chihuahua/Dachshund mix. Nero, a Cairn Terrier Mix. Little Bear, a 7 month old Chihuahua. Kimball, a small poodle mix. Tyra, Gretchen. Chocolate. Castor. Bravo. Butter... The list goes on. The smallest dog weighs just over 3 pounds, the largest is 22 pounds. Each tiny life was in peril at LA municipal shelters. Best Friends' mission is simple: get dogs out of local shelters to rescues and communities where there are waiting lists for dogs that would otherwise die in Los Angeles shelters. We are one of those great communities!

Bouderau, SPCA employees Dan Collins and Beth Brunelle, along with her partner Cheryl Jewell, drove to JFK late Sunday afternoon, picked up the dogs at the American Airlines cargo building and drove back to Ithaca, arriving at 3:00 AM Monday morning. With the help of volunteer Alissandra, the dogs were fed and watered and put right to bed after their big day.

The little dogs are being medically and behaviorally evaluated prior to adoption.

“This is a ‘win win’ scenario”, says Bouderau. “We have the room at the shelter and a community anxious to save lives, and Best Friends is scooping little dogs out of municipal shelters where they would otherwise be euthanized. I’m thrilled that our partnership with Best Friends Animal Society Los Angeles has grown.”

Jim Bouderau, executive director, reiterates something he has stated many times: “It is easy to forget about the many communities that still have traditional shelters where about 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. We could not be more thrilled to help these animals have chances for new lives.”

As in past transfers from Best Friends’ LA shelter, Best Friends, is picking up virtually all costs associated with this transfer. The dogs were fully vaccinated and spayed/neutered prior to transport.

The small dogs will start becoming available for adoption on April 11. Potential adopters may start viewing the dogs when the shelter opens at Noon on Thursday. The adoption fee for the small dogs is $250, plus the cost of a town dog license. 

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