One of the greatest gifts that keeps the FLSPCA of CNY shelter running and gives a bit of happiness to the animals housed there is that of the volunteers and the donors. And there are never enough of them so you could make the difference to a dog or cat that has lost its home and everyone it has known by volunteering.
Fosterers take some of the animals into their homes and care for them, socialize them, exercize them, and give them love and a bit of training. FLSPCA executive director, Carol Russell, says “We have one special foster mom who always responds to our cries for help. Linda has cared for dozens and dozens of kittens over the years and has helped the days old babies who have lost their mother survive. We need more Lindas!!! Please volunteer to foster kittens or do other much needed jobs. We will provide training. We couldn’t open the doors without our volunteers!”
Some other faithful volunteers: Frannie who comes every afternoon to feed, water and clean the felines. She has been volunteering for about 3 years. Allison, Sally, Michelle, Elaine and Paula who volunteer for every spay/neuter clinic which usually last 12-14 hours or more. Sally faithfully tends to the front garden that makes the shelter entrance more attractive. Frank comes most days to walk dogs and help with minor repairs. Joe helps with temperament testing the dogs. Skip helps with data entry and anything else he is asked to do.
George and Tanja walk every dog in the Shelter on Sundays. Mary religiously walks sweet pitbull, Jed, and takes him for car rides and buys him ice cream cones. Sharon made a video of Jed and put him on YouTube. Laurie comes every Monday to walk dogs. Robert ,who is new to dog walking, and Ron also give every dog a good workout.
Then there are those who volunteer for SPCA special events: David, Tacie, Ginger and others.
More volunteers are needed as adoption assistants, cat socializers, dog socializers, foster moms/dads, someone to regularly take pictures of new animals for adoption websites, repair/maintenance and general clean up help. They can use any kind of help - from plumbing, electrical, carpentry, painting, and advice on many things. According to Carol Russell if people who possess these great skills would be willing to be on a list that we can keep and call on - we would promise to not abuse their generosity.”
The family of the late Dr. Mackey, DVM, donated his operating table to the Shelter which is being used for the barn cat spay and neuter program. Welch Allyn donated two operating room/surgery lights for the spay/neuter clinics.
The garage that will soon arrive was donated and will be much appreciated by staff and animals alike as will the donation of stone for it’s base.
A roofer has offered to fix the building’s roof which leaks on the dogs. Carol wants them all to know how extraordinarily grateful everyone at the shelter is to those who donate not only their time but donate items that are desperately needed and also to those who routinely send monetary donations.
One more person to thank. Carol Russell herself stands up to cruelty and ignorance every day. She knows and lives with the saddest and most horrible stories and still keeps her sanity and doesn’t let her justified anger get the better of her. Her compassion never fails any needy animal. We are so lucky to have her!
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