volunteers for animals

All this month there's a special on cat adoptions at the Genesee County Animal Shelter. Yippee! No fee! The regular $30 fee is waived for the adoption of cats 1 year old or older.

Most are spayed and neutered, but if you choose one that isn't, the $35 refundable fee still applies. Once you get the feline fixed and show proof, you get the money back.

They all have current vaccines and have been tested for FIV/FeLV.

There are all colors, kinds and personalities -- all in need of a loving home. Please consider becoming a forever friend to one (or more!) of them.

According to the ASPCA -- American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals -- about four million kittens and cats wind up in U.S. shelters every year. Sadly, most of them end up being euthanized.

That's why adoption, spaying and neutering are so vital.

The Genesee County Animal Shelter is located at 3482 W. Main St. Road in the Town of Batavia. Adoption times are:

• Monday, Tuesday, Friday and Sunday -- 1 to 3 p.m.
• Saturday -- 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Wednesday -- 1 to 3 p.m., and again from 7 to 9 p.m.
• Closed Thursday

For more information contact Volunteers for Animals via email at www.vol4animals.org or call the shelter at 343-6410.

Here's a sweet deal. You can get a professional portrait of your pet done at Carlson's Studio Photography in Batavia for $20 and the money goes to benefit the spay and neutering program of the Volunteers for Animals.

Enjoy a studio photo session and get a 5-by-7-inch portrait on Saturday, March 5 BY APPOINTMENT ONLY. The window of opportunity is 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

If you make an appointment by Feb. 16, you can a free keychain, too!

Call the studio at 343-2823.

The Volunteers for Animals are in dire need of dry kitten kibble and canned cat food. The nonprofit helpers for the Genesee County Animal Shelter have about 50 kitties in foster care as well as at the animal shelter and Petco.

"They are the cutest eating machines and need their kitten food," say the volunteers.

The wet food is used to give the felines daily medications as needed and as a morning-time treat for all the cats.

If the shelter is closed when you drop off your donation, the food can be left at the front door, under the porch area out of the weather.

"We greatly appreciate your help and support," say the volunteers. "We could not do what we do without the generosity of the community!"

The animal shelter is located at 3841 W. Main St. Road in the Town of Batavia. Phone is 343-6410.

To contact Volunteers for Animals, the address is: P.O. Box 1621, Batavia, NY, 14021. They are online at <http://www.vol4animals.org>.

UPDATE: The folks at Petco in Batavia contacted us to say they have a donation box set up inside the store specifically for Volunteers for Animals. So if you are buying pet food there, you can drop it in the box and it will be given to the shelter. They accept dog food, too.

Here's a press release about helping animals. It was sent out by ASPCA -- the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals -- and forwarded to us by Volunteers for Animals of Genesee County:

"There is still time to save low-income spay/neuter! Last week, we contacted you about New York’s proposed 2010-2011 Executive Budget, which seeks to eliminate a statewide program called the Animal Population Control Program (APCP) but includes no plan to replace it. We need to ask you to contact your legislators once more — even if you already e-mailed them last week, please do so again.

We’ve set up our online letter-sending system to fax your senator and assemblyperson, since their staffs have informed us that for this issue, this is the best way to get your opinions heard. We also hope you can take a minute to call Governor Paterson at (518) 474-8390 to urge amendment of the proposed Executive Budget to save the statewide spay/neuter program for low-income New Yorkers' animals.

As you know, animal-control resources are already stretched to their limits — and without a pet-sterilization program to meet the needs of low-income New Yorkers, the number of unwanted dog and cat births in our state will skyrocket, leading to further overcrowding in shelters and increased euthanasia.

Visit the ASPCA Advocacy Center to fax your state legislators about saving the state’s low-cost spay/neuter program.

Thank you, New York, for caring about our state’s neediest animals."

NOTE: Starting today, Adopt-A-Pet and Pet of the Week have a new sponsor -- Neptune's Garden, a pet shop right in the heart of Batavia, at 33 Liberty St. With Pet of the Week, winners will now receive a $10 gift certificate from Neptune Garden. To submit your pet for Pet of the Week, send an e-mail with information about your pet and a picture to (pets [at] thebatavian dot com).

I am a handsome, sweet, family kind of guy. Unfortunately, my previous owners moved away and couldn't take me with them, so they put me up for adoption. Same with my companion dog, Shelby.

My name is Piston, as you can see I'm a big black and white dog, an adult, neutered male, St. Bernard mix. I am everything you could possibly want in a family dog -- housebroken, good with children, cats and female dogs, and well behaved on a leash.

I'm a sweetie (so is Shelby!), come and see me soon! Kennel 19.

I have an odd but memorable moniker -- kinda like the Johnny Cash song "A boy Named Sue" -- I'm a cat named Mouse (but definately not a "mouser").

I like things quiet. All I really want is a small, calm abode and, ideally, someone who will let me sleep on the bed. I like to be cozy. I'm a young, spayed, female, calico domestic shorthair. Although I'm shy at first, I'm easily won over after a few days of hand-fed salmon cat food. I also get along well with other felines, provided they are willing to share your affections.

Given my druthers, I would like to become the companion of someone with long fingernails and/or someone who owns a soft brush. I just adore being scratched and rubbed and brushed. Find me in Cage 68.

Volunteers For Animals
P.O. 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 - Friday 1 - 3 pm (closed on Thursdays)
Wednesday 7 - 9 pm
Saturday 11 - 1 pm

Adopt a New Friend at the Genesee County Animal Shelter!

I'm Bugsy and it bugs me that I've been in this here shelter for so long. It seems like an eternity. I was turned in, probably because I have special needs. But I get around good, am great with the volunteers, and get along nicely with children and dogs. I'm also housebroken and well behaved on a leash.

But I have medical problems with my eyes and need continued medical care. I'm blind but no one knows why. I take medication to help heal infection and ease pain. I promise you I'm worth special treatment. I will repay you in many small, sweet ways. I'm a Siberian Husky/mix, adult female, Kennel 39.

If I look a little familiar, it might be because I was adopted and then returned to the shelter. I'm Star and it seems I didn't have enought patience for the young child in my former home. It's probably the Generation Gap.

Frankly, I'm a senior who needs a quiet home with a gentle family. This places is "stressing me out," as they say. I mean, I'm starting to pull my fur out! Please help me find a good place to relax and enjoy life again. I am known as "a sweet cat who adores attention and love." Don't pull my ears, yank my tail or pick me up by the neck and we'll get along swimmingly. I'm in the Kitty Kottage.
 
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 - Friday 1 - 3 pm (closed on Thursdays)
Wednesday 7 - 9 pm
Saturday 11 - 1 pm

Adopt a New Friend at the Genesee County Animal Shelter!

Jeff here, a nice guy with few demands. I'm an adult stray, neutered-male fox hound. "I'm good with other dogs and good on a leash. Give me wholesome food, fresh water, a warm bed and a loving, human pal, and I'm good to go." Kennel 22.

I'm Gerry, found in a snowbank, brought to the Genesee County Animal Shelter by a Sheriff's Deputy. I was malnlourished and dehydrated. I got checked out by a vet and sent to a loving foster home to get some vittles, put on some pounds and get healthy.

Although my ears show some frostbite, I'm doing great and gaining weight. I'm an orange tiger domestic shorthair cat, an adult neutured male. I'm sweet and loving. My favorite things to do include watching birds outside the window and curling up in laps. I'm available for adoption at Petco in Batavia.
 
Volunteers For Animals
PO Box 1621
Batavia, NY   14021
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 - Friday 1 - 3 pm (closed on Thursdays)
Wednesday 7 - 9 pm
Saturday 11 - 1 pm

Adopt a New Friend at the Genesee County Animal Shelter

Harley sure seemed to enjoy being the center of attention today at Carlson's Studio, where he was one of several dozen pets today who posed for a professional portrait by Ameka Cooper.

The Kilner family brought in 15-month-old Harley and then helped get him posed for his shots. He was a little too excited at times to cooperate. And when a flash went off, he was sure it was something he needed to chase.

Above, Jaylene and Shay try to get Harley to settle down long enough to pose for Ameka.

Below, Dan takes on the role of calming influence on Harley.

Proceeds from today's pet portraits will benefit Volunteers for Animals.

If you had your pet portrait taken, don't forget to submit your pet to our Pet of the Week contest by sending a picture to (pets  (at)  the batavian dot com) (reassemble the e-mail address, of course).

Thinking about this week's Pet of the Week, Myron, I am reminded of a TV commercial with Tony Danza, which was part of a public awareness campaign. "What do you call a person with a disability? A person." Anthony Salvatore Ladanza's Brooklyn accent, the shrug and pause before the commonsense punch line (he was once a pro boxer) made the ad memorable.

So, what do you call a cat with a disability? A cat. And what a terrific one Myron grew up to be. Here's his story:

"My name is Myron and I am now 2 years old. My family adopted me from Lollypop Farm when I was only 8 weeks old. After they brought me home, they noticed that I was not like other cats. I was a bit wobbly when I walked, would sometimes trip and fall down, had trouble jumping on the sofa and my head would shake a bit when I would get really excited. My family was a bit concerned, so they took me to the vet where they checked me out and diagnosed me with Cerebellar Hypoplasia. In other words, my motor skills aren't so hot.

"Even though I'm still wobbly and sometimes fall down, I don't get upset when I hear people who come to visit say "Is there something wrong with that cat?" I love to play and hang out with my two brothers, who don't judge my disabilities. I'm in no pain and require no special care, except maybe a hand getting up on the sofa once in awhile. I have a normal life expectancy, but since most people don't know about Cerebellar Hypoplasia, cats like me are needlessly destroyed. If you have a kitten with symptoms like mine, ask your vet for more information because my family says, if they are anything like me, they might just be one of the best cats you have ever owned."

Myron resides in the loving household of Brandie Schultz in Bergen.

Oscar wants a pal who can appreciate where he's coming from. He's a great guy, a senior, neutered male, pug mix.

He's been around long enough to appreciate stuff like the horrible meaning of 9/11, the injustice of New Orleans drowning in a sea of incompetence and poor planning, the weird appeal of that funny-looking guy who sang "She Bangs" on American Idol and the out-of-left-field meltdown of sports icon Tiger Woods.

He's ready for a great, compassionate family who values his seniority, life experience and all that he's able to offer human companions. "The best is yet to come and babe, won't it be fine." Strike up the Hi-Fi, turn off the Wi-Fi, break out the highballs, and say, "whatta 'bout a poker game (for dogs only)?" So what if that fuss-pants Felix gets annoyed. Cigar anyone?

James is a "tiger-and-white" domestic, shorthair -- a mellow fellow who enjoys sunny windows and soft pallets. He has big paws and green eyes and would make a handsome, friendly addition to your household. "When you're down and troubled and you need a helping hand, and nothin', oh nothin', is goin' right, close your eyes and think of me and soon I will be there, to brighten up even your darkest nights." Sweet Baby James, sweet dreams and best wishes.

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

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

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

Here's the scoop! Scooby is Pet of the Week. Although he has several other monikers, he's still the same down deep. Once upon a time, he was a raggedly little guy in a big, brutal world. But once he decided to plead for help in his own silent, pathetic way, his prayers were answered. That was back in another time, another world.

"In 2000, someone dropped a litter of cats (not kittens) off at our rented place in the country. There were five of them running around with no direction, food or shelter other than a barn that was only used for storage by our landlord. I had never owned a cat before, but to see the 'runt' of the bunch come running to me one day when I pulled into the driveway pulled my heartstrings. He was hungry and sick. His siblings had been killed in the road by cars, one by a tractor in the field. We took him in, and then to the vet. He’s been with us ever since – 10 years now.
 
His name is Skeet Beet, not sure why, other than he was so skinny when he came to us that he looked (to the daughter) like a “skeeter” (mosquito). Since then he has taken on many other names, such as Scooby (being the most common), Beeps, Bees Louise and more. He answers to all of them. Whenever we took the dog for a walk he wanted to go, too. He would walk along with us and come inside when we were done.
 
We have since moved and he has become an “indoor cat," still a crazy boy always wanting to get out...but he’s our “baby." He has a great personality, never a curtain climber or kitchen counter cat. He wants lovin’s and scratchin’s and is happy just snuggling with me or his sister.
 
I have learned that you can take the cat out of the barn, but you can’t take the barn out of the cat!"
 
Scooby says:  "I want to be Pet of the Week because my mom loves animals so much and visits the animal shelter on a regular basis. She would donate the gift certificate to them. They do great things there for some of us who need some help finding our families."

Hey y'all I'm Ellie, a blue-tick adult, female hound that was turned into the pound. Don't really know why, 'cuz I'm great with young'uns and other critters, 'spechly dawgs. Plus, I like lollygaggin' on the sofer with mah kin. Don't worry none, I'm spayed. I may sound none too highbrow, but that's overrated anyhaow. I'm pert near cute as a speckled pup and I'm housebroken and leash trained, yessiree, Bob. They tol' me to take an ol' cold tater 'n' wait, so that's what I'ma doin'. Y'all come down heah, ya heah! Kennel 14.

I'm very pretty, am I not? My name is Tawny and I'm a calico, domestic long hair, adult, spayed female. I have long silky fur, purr, and beautiful eyes, purr, that enticingly and coyly say "pet me, love me, hold me, want me...purr." There, I've cast my mesmerizing spell. If you can hear its silken entreaties echoing inside your head and heart, please come meet me soon. You know I won't last long. Let's rendezvous forever! Cage 68.

 
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 - Friday 1 - 3 pm (closed on Thursdays)
Wednesday 7 - 9 pm
Saturday 11 - 1 pm

Adopt a New Friend at the Genesee County Animal Shelter!

Golda has a heart of gold and she's enjoying life with a great family -- Russ and Diane Marchese. Sure beats living in a swamp. Golda, congratulations, you are deservedly the Pet of the Week!

"My name is Golda and today I am one HAPPY dog. I wasn’t always this happy. Back in September, I was wandering the swamps and picked up and brought to the Batavia Animal Shelter. I was one tired and sorry looking dog. My fur was raggedy and sparse and I didn’t have any fur on my tail! I had had many litters and my body showed it.

The good people of Volunteers for Animals brought me to the vet to be checked out. I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism and put on meds. It wasn’t long until I was adopted. I don’t know why, but that didn’t work out. I was returned to the shelter. I stayed at the shelter a little while longer and then went to stay with a foster family. 

Lucky for me, my foster family immediately felt that I belonged with them and adopted me! I have two canine sisters: Dixie, a black lab and Babs, a golden retriever, like me. My mom and dad make sure I take my medicine, give me special food and take good care of me. When my sister is home from college, she gives me a lot of attention, too. My fur is growing back and looks so much better. My mom is always telling me that I am beautiful and so special! I feel like Cinderella! My family loves me and I love them!