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Red car reportedly unloads cage full of cats into parking lot at BMS

By Billie Owens

A caller to dispatch reports about 20 minutes ago a red Chevy Cavalier-type coupe drove into the parking lot of Batavia Middle School on Ross Street and dropped off "a cage full of cats," then left. Law enforcement is reponding.

UPDATE 4:29 a.m.: An eyewitness told Howard at the scene that a lone woman driving a bright red Cavalier drove behind their house and to the school parking lot and got out with a cage. When the driver saw she had been spotted, she left the cage with two cats inside and quickly drove off. The cats are black and white and were taken to the Genesee County Animal Shelter.

UPDATED: Lost kitty last seen on Seven Springs Road, Batavia

By Billie Owens

Yesterday morning one of Meghan Tiede's kids accidentally let out one of their indoor cats, "Tiger."

"She is a very special cat to our family and she hasn't returned home. We are all pretty upset and miss her very much," Tiede writes in an e-mail.

Tiger was last seen on June 15th at about 8 a.m. in Seven Springs Country Club on Seven Springs Road in Batavia. The family lives close to Route 5. Attached is a photo of her. I'm hoping someone may have contacted you about a cat that was found.

If you see Tiger, e-mail Tiede at:   mmtiede2@gmail.com or call her cell phone at (716) 560-3427.

UPDATED 11 a.m.: Friday, June 24: Meghan just wrote to us, saying: "I just wanted to give you an update about our missing cat Tiger. She was returned to us last night. Thank you so much for helping us get the word out that she was missing. We are so greatful for all your help and for the readers help in finding her. We truly missed her and are very happy she returned home."
Thank you
Meghan

Donations being accepted at the animal shelter for big honkin' garage sale later this week

By Billie Owens

There will be a big honkin' garage sale at Rick's Storage to benefit the critters at the Genesee County Animal Shelter from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 16-18. All proceeds will go toward the homeless animals. Rick's Storage is located at 3566 W. Main Street Road in the Town of Batavia.

Donations are still being gratefully accepted at the shelter. Drop off good used stuff at the shelter, located at 3841 W. Main Street Road, Batavia. NO CLOTHES OR TVs.

Go on, clean that garage, get rid of the old china you never use, toss those doodads and whatnots, be gone with the plastic flowers and rusty tools. Out with it, already! Let someone else take pleasure in your treasure. Recycle your finds. You'll be glad you did and so will the cats and dogs in need.

The eagle has landed on Bank Street Road

By Billie Owens

A deputy is responding to 7673 Bank Street Road, Town of Batavia, for a report of an eagle on the front lawn.

UPDATE 10:58 a.m.: The animal control officer returned to the shelter. No word on the eagle.

Is your black dog with white markings missing in Le Roy?

By Billie Owens

A black female dog with white markings was found astray without tags or a collar on Hilltop Drive in Le Roy about 20 minutes ago. A Le Roy police officer met or is meeting with an animal control officer in Stafford to hand off the pooch for transport to the Genesee County Animal Shelter.

So, if you know this dog, that's where you can find it, 3841 W. Main Street Road, Town of Batavia.

UPDATED: Scrap metal drive to benefit shelter animals set for June 4-5

By Billie Owens

Press release:

Come out and support the animals of the Genesee County Animal Shelter by donating scrap metal.

Volunteers for Animals are collecting scrap metal to raise money for the animals from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, June 4th and Sunday, June 5th in the parking lot at the shelter, located at 3841 W. Main Street Road, Batavia.

Metal of any kind will be accepted: railings, doors, garbage cans, file cabinets, bicycle frames, gutters, pipes, poles, fencing, window frames, lawn furniture, tools, shelving, washing machines, dryers, stoves, wheel barrows, wagons, etc.

We CANNOT take propane tanks, air-conditioning units, or refrigerators.

Scrap service provided by Ed Arnold EAS Scrap Processors of Corfu.

UPDATE 12:58 p.m., June 1: Due to the overwhelming response from donors wishing to have their scrap metal items picked up, the Volunteers for Animals are going to be extra busy doing just that between now and the weekend. So people are encouraged to find a way to bring their own scrap metal donations to the site, if arrangements have not already been made.

'Akira' the little Japanese hunting dog is missing its home on Albion Road in Oakfield

By Billie Owens

Submitted photo of little lost Akira. 

This is a photo of "Akira," a small Japanese breed of hunting dog called shibu inu. She disappearred from her home on Albion Road in Oakfield on Saturday. The family and especially the grandchildren are heartbroken.

Due to skin allergies, she was not wearing a collar at the time she disappeared.

Her loved ones say she resembles a fox in size and appearance. Sometimes the shibu inu is translated as "little brushwood dog." Adult females typically weigh about 18 pounds. It is an agile, independent breed. The Japanese breed standard says it exhibits: "A spirited boldness, a good nature, and an unaffected forthrightness, which together yield dignity and natural beauty."

In the photo above, Akira is waiting patiently for her master to get in the car and take her on an adventure -- traveling anyplace in the car is an adventure. Here she's thinking "C'mon, what's the hold up? I can't believe you can't find your sunglasses. You just had them on your head two minutes ago. ARGH! People!"

Anyone with information is asked to call Matt at (585) 704-9400.

Hoping you can help find 'Hops' -- a Batavia bunny on the loose

By Billie Owens

Submitted photo of "Hops."

"Hops" is on the lam. She's a "chubby," double-chinned eight-pound bunny who hails from the yard at the southeast corner of Maple Street and Ganson Avenue in the City of Batavia.

Hops was last seen by her family, the Rapones, on Sunday. The 3-year-old is white with gray around her eyes and ears.

"I'm starting to freak out a little," said Polly Rapone this morning, who says she's scoured the neighborhood in search of the pet, one of six bunnies, two cats, two chocolate labs, a fish and a turtle who live at 23 Maple St..

Guy and Polly Rapone, who five children together, four school-aged, have allowed Hops -- in good weather -- to lounge and ambulate at will about their large yard, which is only fenced on two sides, while her rabbit relatives are mostly caged. She's usually content to sit at the edge of the yard with her nose twitching through the chain-link fence.

But this latest escapade, one of several over the course of her little lifetime, has Polly particularly stressed out.

For one, she's been gone longer than on her other forays and, two, well, enough is enough.

"She's going back in the cage," said Polly, with prescient hopefulness about the fate of their beloved bunny rabbit.

If you have information which might lead to the capture of Hops, please contact the Rapone family at 219-4657. No questions asked!

UPDATED: 'Shadow' is missing from East Pembroke home

By Billie Owens

A dog that is part Labrador retriever and chow chow is missing from its East Pembroke home.

"Shadow" has not darkened the doorstep of his owner's home since Friday, April 22.

If you glimpse Shadow, please call 585-813-6491 with information.

UPDATED May 5: Robbie Reeb wrote us an e-mail to inform us Shadow is back home, wagging his tail. He wrote: "Our lost dog has been found! Thanks go out to Ivan in East Pembroke who found her while walking his dog. Thank you to everyone that responded that they may have seen her. Our mom is very happy to have her home again."

Volunteers For Animals awarded grant to provide low-cost spay and neuter services for pets of low-income residents

By Billie Owens

Press release:

Volunteers For Animals is proud to announce that we have been awarded a grant from the ASPCA to provide low-cost spay and neuter of canines and felines belonging to NYS residents who receive public assistance.

The ASPCA administers the New York State Animal Population Control Program on behalf of the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets. The grant, via a voucher system, will cover the spaying or neutering of the pet, a rabies vaccine, a distemper vaccine and deworming.

Since 1984, Volunteers For Animals has assisted with the care, treatment, and adoption of animals residing at our area's municipal shelter, the Genesee County Animal Shelter in Batavia. We provide care and services that would not be available if not for our involvement. Prior to our participation, sick animals were euthanized and none were spayed or neutered.

Our group is staffed completely by volunteers, some of whom have been involved for over a decade. We are a dedicated group of volunteers who coordinate all the the necessary care and treatment for the animals at the shelter.

For many years, Volunteers For Animals has been committed to spaying and neutering all animals prior to adoption at the Genesee County Animal Shelter. We are now expanding that commitment to help pet owners in the community. We understand the pressing need to spay and neuter dogs and cats to alleviate the pet over-population epidemic.

Volunteers For Animals has partnered with local veterinarians and their staff to provide quality, low-cost services to low-income residents in Genesee and surrounding counties. We believe that not only will this program help to reduce the pet overpopulation problem but will benefit the quality of life for both pet owners and pets.

We believe that sterilized pets present a win-win situation. The pet is generally healthier and the pet-owner relationship is generally less stressful and, therefore, more enjoyable.

To receive a voucher, the pet owner must speak with a member of Volunteers For Animals. The pet owner can call the Shelter at 585-343-6410 to leave a message for a volunteer -- please leave name and phone number where a volunteer can call the pet owner. An e-mail can also be sent to info@vol4animals.org.

Don't forget Genesee County's homeless dogs and cats this Christmas

By Billie Owens

Photo of "Mike."

This information is from the newsletter of the Volunteers for Animals at the Genesee County Animal Shelter. They encourage everyone to give the gift of health and compassion for homeless and needy cats and dogs by donating money, food and/or supplies to the shelter. And consider bringing home a new BFF by adopting a pet today. Just in time for the holidays, you could give a forever home to a forever friend.

How "Mike" got a second chance at life and to learn what it means to be loved and cared for...

A scrawny, hairless dog was brought to the Genesee County Animal Shelter by the woman who found him lying in the road. She stopped and helped this oozing, smelly, weak dog into her car. That alone is amazing but she continued to visit him at the shelter right up to the day he was adopted about six weeks later.

"Mike" had a terrible case of mange and a skin infection. He was very underweight and bony. His skin was bright red, oozing and itching constantly. He was taken to the vet and started on medications for the mange, the infection, and the itching. He was bathed regularly and put on a special diet to gradually increase his weight.

It wasn't long before little patches of fur began to grow in. Mike gained weight and started to show interest in his surroundings and in the volunteers who cared for him. His rescuer visited at least two or three times a week. She walked him and brought him special treats. He loved visiting with her and always wanted to check her pockets to see what she had brought for him.

Mike had a bout of stomach problems and needed further treatment but within a week or so he was back to normal and enjoying his walks again. Mike's new fur came in soft and shiny and by the time he went home his coat was almost perfect. The volunteers spent a lot of time with Mike, walking and playing with him. He was always a gentleman, polite with other dogs and gentle with every person he met.

Mike's rescuer couldn't adopt him but she brought a few potential adopters to meet him. In the end it was Mike's patience and good nature that made the difference. He found his person.

There was a celebration at the shelter when Mike finally walked out the front door to go home and his rescuer was there to share the big moment along with the volunteers. What a lucky dog! How many cars must have passed Mike while he laid on the road before this wonderful, compassionate woman stopped and scooped him up off the road.

Photo of "Lucky."

How "Lucky" lucked out and found a bunch of new friends to chill with...

"Lucky" is a 14-year-old cat that was brought into the Genesee County Animal Shelter because her family had no place to live that would allow animals. She had been theirs for 14 years. They said she was a very sweet cat who loved having her belly rubbed.

Lucky was tested for FIV/FeLV, which was negative, and given her vaccines. She was not spayed so the issue was debated and volunteers consulted with a vet. She did great with the surgery. Finally, she was available for adoption.

They knew it would take a very special person to adopt this very special kitty but we were patient. Her story was posted on Facebook, which got over 2,500 views and 30 shares! They were hopeful.

After a couple of weeks, there was an opening at Petco and someone suggested Lucky go there to try her luck. They packed up her favorite bed and got her settled at Petco. With little time to settle in, someone came along and fell in love with her. They put their application in for review.

As luck would have it, the person was a resident of a local group home. The manager of the home spoke highly of the resident and she was immediately approved. No one could imagine a better place for Lucky. Word is that Lucky has settled right in and gets along great with all the residents. And best of all she is a part of their family now!

******************

So far in 2015, Volunteers for Animals have spent more than $70,000 on vet care, tests, vaccines and medications. They paid for: orthopedic surgery on a lab with a badly healed fracture; provided heartworm treatment on a sweet lab girl; covered the cost of a C-section on a mama dog who was having trouble birthing her puppies; provided dental care for a JRT with a mouthful of rotten teeth; and did treatment for possible parvo on a little pit puppy.

A local vet reached out to take over rehabilitation of a cat that had such a badly infected bite wound that they had to surgically remove part of her shoulder; she recovered and was adopted. Numerous cats and kittens came into us suffering from dehydration, diarrhea, fleas, worms, bite wounds, eat mites or infections, and upper respiratory infections.

More than 100 kittens too young to be adopted went into loving foster homes until they were big enough to be spayed and neutered prior to adoption. All of the animals adopted out of the Shelter left with vaccines, deworming and flea treatment, and were spayed/neutered. These are just some of the things donations go toward for the animals that come through the doors of the Genesee County Animal Shelter.

Last year, 523 dogs and cats were spayed and neutered. This year, they are on track to do even more. Also, they have started to provide assistance to the community for the spaying and neutering of pets. After receiving a substantial donation at the end of 2014, they started a Community Spay/Neuter Program. In partnership with local vets, they are now providing low cost spay/neuter for pets to the local community.

So far this year, more than 230 families got their cat or dog spayed/neutered thanks to the new program, as well as vaccinated against rabies and other deadly viruses.

In August, they were awarded a grant for $20,000 from the ASPCA to provide low-cost spay and neuter of dogs and cats belonging to NYS residents who receive public assistance. The grant, via a voucher system, will cover the spaying or neutering of the pet, a rabies vaccine, a distemper vaccine and deworming. They hope to help close to 250 animals with the grant. They are committed to reducing the population of “unwanted” dogs and cats in Genesee County and are asking for your help and support to continue this important work.

Volunteers For Animals is a 100-percent volunteer 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that assists the Genesee County Animal Shelter, making possible efforts that cannot be achieved via the County’s operating budget. Your charitable gift is tax deductible and goes directly toward saving lives and providing comfort to the animals that depend on us.

To learn more and to donate, visit the Volunteers for Animals on the Web, or mail a tax-deductible contribution, payable to Volunteers for Animals, to this address: Vol.unteers for Animals, P.O. Box 1621, Batavia, NY, 14021.

Visit the shelter during visiting hours to meet potential furry companions, and to drop off much-needed cat and dog kibble, canned food, cat sand, paper towels, cleaning products, etc.

'Kitler' the kat is missing -- Who could forget a face like that?

By Billie Owens

This little feline funny face is "Kitler." He was last seen Oct. 12 around the North Spruce Apartments, his home in the City of Batavia. He is very skittish and spooks easily.

If he's in a captive space, please keep him there and contact his mom. If you see him, try to keep an eye on him and contact his mom. He's a big boy. He weighs just over 20 pounds. Zounds! Please help get him home!

Jeanine Messinger is desperately hoping that someone will recognize him. Please call 585-455-0560 if you can help.

Hogs for Paws to benefit shelter at Stan's Harley Davidson on West Saile Drive, Batavia

By Billie Owens

Hogs for Paws will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 15, at Stan's Harley-Davidson, Inc., located at 4425 W. Saile Drive in the Town of Batavia. This is a fundraiser and reunion event for the Genesee County Animal Shelter. In addition to Stan's, it is sponsored by Beds-N-Bones Pet Lodge.

There will be:

Event Date and Time
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Big honkin' three-day garage sale to benefit the GC Animal Shelter

By Billie Owens

A big honkin' garage sale to benefit the animals at the Genesee County Animal Shelter will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on June 18th, 19th and 20th at Rick's Storage Garage, 3566 W. Main Street Road in the Town of Batavia.

All proceeds will go directly to the animals.

Plus, Duke's Smokin Bone BBQ Catering Co. will be offered for sale on the last day of the garage sale, June 20, starting at 11 a.m. There will be pulled pork sandwiches. So come on out for lunch and paw through all the good stuff for sale to help the needy, homeless animals.

Event Date and Time
-

Help the animals: Bring your scrap metal to the GC shelter this weekend

By Billie Owens

Press release:

"Scrap for the Pack!" Come out and support the animals of the Genesee County Animal Shelter this weekend by donating your scrap metal.

The fundraiser is 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, June 6-7, at the shelter, located at 3841 W. Main St. Road, in the Town of Batavia.

Bring your scrap metal to the parking lot. Volunteers for Animals are accepting metals of any kind: railings, doors, garbage cans, file cabinets, bicycle frames, gutters, pipes, poles, fencing windown frames, lawn furniture, tools, shelving, washing machines, dryers, stoves, wheel barrows, wagons, etc.

They CANNOT take propane tanks, a/c units, or refrigerators.

If you have metal donations that need to be picked up, e-mail Volunteers for Animals to arrange for pickup.

www.vol4animals.org

Scrap service is being provided by Ed Arnold EAS Scrap Processors, of Corfu.

June Cat Sale for adult felines starts Friday at county Animal Shelter and Petco

By Billie Owens

The June Cat Sale begins tomorrow, June 5th, at both the Genesee County Animal Shelter and Petco. Adoption costs are reduced by 50 percent for all cats a year old or older. Sale price is $20 per adult cat and includes an adorable feline over the age of 1, complete with a rabies vaccine, distempter combo vaccine, FIV/ FeLV testing, deworming treatment and flea treatment.

Anyone adopting a cat that's not already spayed or neutured will be also charged a $35 refundable deposit, paid back upon proof of surgery.

The sale runs through June 21.

According to ASPCA, each year about four million cats and kittens enter U.S. animal shelters. Open your heart and your home by taking advantage of this 50-percent-off adult cat adoption bonanza!

The county Animal Shelter is located at 3841 W. Main St. Road in the Town of Batavia. Petco is in Batavia Town Center shopping mall at 4226 Veterans Memorial Drive.

www.vol4animals.org

(585) 343-6410

Brown and black tiger cat missing from Ellicott Street home

By Billie Owens

"Louie" is on the lam, and his owner Brendalee longs for his special feline friendship. The nearly 2 year old brindle "tiger" cat somehow got out of the house Thursday evening and hasn't been seen since.

Brendalee lives on Ellicott Street by St. Joseph's Cemetery in Batavia and runs B's Pet Grooming service. She said this afternoon that Louie never leaves the house. Not only is he not accustomed to the ways of the world, his front claws have been removed.

He's neutered, doesn't have a collar, and weighs about 10 pounds.

Louie could probably be lured into captivity with treats. He's a real sucker for snacks.

If you see this little scamp, let Brendalee know. She'll be waiting by the phone -- (585) 300-7027.

UPDATE Wednesday 9:24 a.m.: Brendalee just sent us a text message saying Louie was found and is home now. She added that he is "grounded for life." Happy Thanksgiving!

Big black green-eyed male cat missing from Water Street home in Attica

By Billie Owens

"Luckson" -- a "very large" green-eyed all-black cat from Water Street, Attica -- has been missing for several nights now and the owners are hoping someone took him in during the severe weather conditions.

They would love, of course, for their dear, four-legged friend to be returned. They are just worried sick about their shelter adoptee and hope Luckson's luck has not run out.

If you know of his whereabouts, please contact Brittany Boyce at 585-813-2772.

UPDATE: Luckson has been found.

UPDATED: All-black female kitten with studded collar and pink bell found across from Williams Park

By Billie Owens

Here's an APB from reader Marilyn Dickinson:

This cute kitten was found at 8 p.m. on Friday in the Pearl Street neighborhood directly across from Williams Park. It was scared and hungry. Neighbors said they first saw the kitten a few days before.

She is totally jet black with no markings (a Bombay perhaps?) and looks to be 6 to 8 months old. She is wearing a studded collar with pink bell and a flea collar. Extremely friendly, likes being indoors, and continues to purr, purr, purr.

I called the animal shelter to learn if an owner called asking about it but no one had. We will be taking the kitten to the shelter when they have room.

If you're the owner or you know who is, please call Marilyn Dickinson 585-356-9398 (cell) ASAP.

UPDATE Nov. 20: From Marilyn Dickinson on Nov. 18: "Thanks to those who shared my post on FB and to The Batavian <https://www.facebook.com/thebatavian> for the APB on the kitten. I received a call from the owner a few minutes ago who saw the pic on The Batavian. I returned 'Patches,' along with the supplies and food we purchased, to the family who lost her last weekend. The kitten crossed Main Street traffic..perhaps her name should be "Lucky!" They were grateful and the children so happy to get her back home...before my husband kept her - awww!

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