SOCIETY FOR PREVENTION OF CRUELTY TO ANIMALS IN CATTARAUGUS COUNTY

2944 Route 16 Olean, NY 14760 Phone: (716) 372-8492 Our Hours are: - Tuesday - Saturday 12-5 Sunday 1-4 Mission Statement of the SPCA in Cattaraugus County The SPCA in Cattaraugus County, along with thousands of other no-kill organizations and individuals believe that shelters and humane societies should not be used as a “drop box” for pets when owners tire of them.  We believe that by educating owners that animals are not disposable items, eventually, pet owners will place more value on their pets’ lives. The mission of the SPCA in Cattaraugus County is to promote responsible pet ownership and as an SPCA to provide shelter and care to truly needy, abused and neglected animals.  We elect to cherish and protect all animals accepted into our care.  When we adopt a dog or cat into our homes, we become legally and morally responsible for that animal’s welfare. No one claims a right, much less an obligation to take that animal’s life in order to make room for another. Animal shelters rightly insist that people who adopt from them make the commitment to cherish and protect the animals they take home.  We do not think this commitment should stop at the shelter door.  We are troubled by the notion that non-profit humane organizations must “accept” animals when “accepting” them in traditional shelters means they are likely to be killed. We feel every animal’s life is valuable and that SPCA’s should set an example in the community.  When shelters kill adoptable and treatable animals, the message they want to send is put at risk.  The public may hear that animals’ lives are important, but that killing them is acceptable.  This sends the message that they really are disposable and that killing is the answer whenever housing or costs become a problem.  As more shelters embrace the no kill approach, fewer animals will be abandoned and neglected.  Some argue that only by accepting all animals and killing them when facilities become overcrowded can shelters work to prevent animal abandonment. and neglect.  We see it as just the opposite. When shelters kill, many people avoid them and are reluctant to surrender stray and unwanted animals because they know they will be killed.  When shelters commit to saving all adoptable and treatable animals in their care, they begin to break the cycle of abandonment and death and pave the way for the entire community to achieve the no-kill goal. The no-kill shelters use their resources to build a community wide safety net for animals.  With a consistent message and a straight forward mission to save lives and promote the value of life, no-kill organizations bring new energy and solutions to the problems traditional shelters and animal control agencies have struggled with for decades. Because no-kills are able to devote their resources to this end and to generate broad community support for their efforts, they hasten the day when no shelter, either traditional or otherwise will have to kill the adoptable and treatable dogs and cats, kittens and puppies, and every shelter then will provide an example of the quality of care that animals are expected to receive when they find a home. As we see it, it’s a win-win for everyone, especially the animals. This article was derived in part from Rich Avanzino, Director of Maddie’s Fund, www.maddiesfund.org(http://www.maddiesfund.org/)