Genesee County Animal Shelter

My heart went out to Althea after reading her story. Once she was down on her luck and sick, to boot. After amazing love and grace, she's nurturing (see photo) and brings lots of joy and companionship to her folks.

She works to earn her keep, too. A good word for her is magnanimous -- yes, she has the gift of magnanimity. Bless her little pea-pickin' heart (an old Tennessee Ernie Ford saying I'm fond of, even though I don't pick peas nor do I especially like them). Here's what she says.

My name is Althea and I think I should be "Pet of the Week." I was adopted from the Genesee County Animal Shelter about four years ago. There I was, stuck in a cage with some unpleasant health troubles that I won't get into, but let's just say I was not a pretty sight.

My mom and dad took me home and got me cleaned up and then with some help from Volunteers for Animals I got the treatment I needed. I'm still a little fragile, having joint problems and faulty digestion, but I don't let it get me down.

Since finding my family I've gone hiking, swimming and kayaking but my very favorite thing to do is help out around the house. I clean up crumbs off the floors, empty the cat litter boxes and fetch things. I even helped babysit some foster puppies this summer. 

My mom says I'm the happiest dog she ever met and she's met a lot of them, let me tell you! I've had a lot of foster brothers and sisters over the years and I always try to introduce myself and help the "new" guys feel at home. Life is good. I figure if you have a warm bed, good food and people who love and take care of you, you've got everything, so why not share with a dog who's not so fortunate?

I kind of like having a bunch of other dogs around. You should hear us howl when we get wound up! Anyway, that's my story. Maybe if I'm Pet of the Week people will read my story and think about adopting a shelter dog. I'm a pretty good judge of dogs and I think there's a lot of good ones waiting for homes. Thanks for reading this.

Althea

If your pet is worthy of Pet of the Week, have him or her e-mail me at pets (at) the batavian dot com. Please have your pet send a handsome picture and his or her story. Click here for more information. Your pet could win a $10 gift certificate from Genesee Feeds.

My "family" left me behind when they moved away. Some "pack" that turned out to be! And just look at what they've lost, a true-blue friend, a loyal and loving pet.

My name is Anna Marie (classy, don'tcha think?) and I'm an adult, spayed German shepard/Labrador retriever mix.

The irony about my being left behind is that I'm such a great family dog. Kids, cats, dogs, the mail lady, I like 'em all!

Not to toot my own horn, but I'm also completely housebroken and well-mannered on a leash. Bottom line: you couldn’t ask for a better companion. But don't take my word for it, come and see for yourself.

Just look at me would ya. I'm drop-dead funny. Can't help but be with splotches like these. I'm the cutest little Oreo Cookie you'll ever meet.

In fact, the volunteers here refer to me as a living example of modern art. They say my black spots were "carefully placed" on my person but I think they are pulling my leg.

I'd sure like to amuse you inside a home that I would let you share, if you let me. P.S., I'm spayed and they call me a black-and-white DSH, but I don't know what that stands for.

Belle is swell, and I'll tell you why. Of all her assets, which she shares here in darling detail, her most important one to date is that she's a bona fide lifesaver. That's correct, a doggone hero she is. Her folks are probably alive and well today because of her. Here's her story:

Hello everyone. My name is Belle. I'm 7 years old and I live with my parents, my sister and 2 kitties. I was adopted from Neptune's in Batavia. I was only there for a couple of hours until my sister walked in and saw how cute I was!

I like to bark...a lot, but don't worry, my bark is louder than my bite. I'm a super happy dog. I love long car rides, walks, table scraps, playing soccer, dressing up as a bumble bee for Halloween and noshing on lots of treats.

I have the best life ever. I get to sleep all day (I like to switch it up between the couch and my sister's bed. I even use her pillow). Sometimes, I get in trouble, but usually my dad lets me off the hook. I think this is because I've heard him say before that I saved my family's lives.

Two years ago, I thought I smelled something funny coming from the kitchen so I went to go take a looksie. There was this black cloud like stuff coming from the garage into the kitchen. It smelled funny, so I went to my parents' room and tried to wake my dad...I started pawing at him and barking as loud as I could (I think he thought I had to use the grass, if you know what I mean). I led him into the kitchen and I heard him yell 'Fire!!' I guess our garage was on fire and I saved the day! I was spoiled before that, but now I like to consider myself a princess.

I hope I can be your pet of the week! My sister reads The Batavian everyday so she'll know.

Your friend forever,
Belle

If your pet is worthy of pet of the week, have him or her e-mail me at pets (at) the batavian dot com.  Please have your pet send a handsome picture and his or her story. Click here for more information. Your pet could win a $10 gift certificate from Genesee Feeds.

Local animal lovers are competing for a big-money grant and need your vote in order to win.

The Animal Rescue Site, along with Petfinder, launched the $100,000 Shelter + Challenge on Sept. 14.

The Animal Rescue Site is awarding $100,000 in grants to eligible Petfinder.com member rescue organizations to help animals. The grand prize is a $20,000 grant, and there are many other prizes!

Visit the link below to vote - it only takes a minute. You don't have to register, and voting is free. Support Volunteers For Animals and vote every day!  Thank you!

Shelter Name: Volunteers For Animals
State: NY
City: Batavia

Then hit Search to vote.

Thank you for your help and please ask your friends to help out by voting each day. Together we can make a difference.

Click here: Vote for Volunteers For Animals @ The Animal Rescue Site

Thanks,
The Cats and Dogs at the Genesee County Animal Shelter

I'm Dutchess. But don't let my name fool you -- I'm not a snooty lady! Oh, quite the contrary. My lineage is boxer/pit bull mix, I've been spayed and, seemingly, I am housebroken. Inarguably, I am sweet to people and other dogs. My leash manners are commendable. If you would like to take me home and love me, I would be royally grateful.

Buddy here. They say I'm a nice-guy kitten with an affectionate, outgoing personality. I give clues about the real me by doing things like jumping on your shoulder and snuggling against your cheek. My purr is evidence that my motor runs smoothly. Oh, yes, I am sweet, too. Though I like Halloween as much as the next kid, I don't take things personally. If my onyx-colored, gleaming, gorgeous fur frightens anyone, I just hiss and say "Boo!" That'll show 'em. Let's go trick-or-treating together, OK?

And animal lovers: Don't forget about entering your pets into our Pet of the Week Contest. If your pet is worthy of pet of the week, have him or her e-mail us at pets (at) the batavian dot com.  Please have your pet send a handsome picture and his or her story. Click here for more information. Your pet could win a $10 gift certificate from Genesee Feeds.

I'm three-year-old Lewis and as you can see I'm a beagle. Is there a better dog than a Snoopy dog? I'm neutered, polite, friendly and enjoy people and dogs alike. In fact, I think all mammals are good mammals. I walk nicely on a leash and am not the demanding type. If you would like a new BFF (best friend forever), then come and get me (OK that's a demand) and the sooner the better.

They named me, get this, "Buckwheat." But what's a name -- just letters that's all. I'm a neutered male kitten with long orange and wheat-colored fur (hmm, that explains things). Unfortunately, the volunteer snapped my picture just after I stuck my paw in a light socket. Boy was that a shocker! Well, that's one down and eight lives to go. Just joking! Anyways, my fur is still kittenish and I have to grown into it, or something like that. Is your heart tugging? Can't you just sense my sweetness? Go with it. Don't overthink it. I'll be waiting for you.

Volunteers For Animals
PO Box 1621
Batavia, NY   14021
www.vol4animals.org <http://www.vol4animals.org>

Working in partnership with:
Genesee County Animal Shelter
3841 W. Main Street Road
Batavia, NY  14020
(585) 343-6410

Adoption Hours
Sunday through Friday: 1 to 3 p.m. (closed Thursdays)
Wednesday: 7 to 9 p.m.
Saturday: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

And don't forget to nominate your pet for Pet-of-the-Week, a new winner chosen by Pachuco every Friday. Your pet could win a $10 gift certificate from Genesee Feeds.  And remember, more kinds of pets than just dogs and cats are eligible to win.

For those who have been with the site for a while, you may have noticed we like to post the adoption videos posted on YouTube by the Genesee County Animal Shelter. Well, today, we found a few new videos from the shelter that are quite fun. Usually, the shelter crew just records the animals frolicking around and sets that to some quirky music. In three new videos, the shleter crew actually gives "interviews" with... well, really about the dogs. Check it out:

Still looking for that holiday pup? Check out this video from the Genesee County Animal Shelter to see which pooches are looking for a home.

The Genesee County Animal Shelter has posted another video to YouTube encouraging adoption of felines at the shelter.

Yet another great video from the prolific production team at Genesee County Animal Shelter. A reminder for folks that adoption is not the only option: you can always be foster parents to a kitten while a permanent home is found.

(I love the soundtrack on this one: Sing, Sing, Sing.)

Genesee County Animal Shelter put up another video exhibiting their cats up for adoption.

Here's the shelter's web site.