mission statement:

It is the mission of the DCSPCA to rescue and provide temporary humane shelter for the abandoned, neglected and abused companion animals of the Dutchess County community. Central to our mission is the securing of caring, responsible, permanent homes for the adoptable animals in our care.

We shall provide humane law enforcement throughout Dutchess County, and by example and through education, we shall promote and advance responsible, humane companion animal guardianship.

--Adopted by the Board of Directors January 4th, 2001

FROM MY PERSPECTIVE

“What we do not see, what most of us never suspect of existing, is the silent but irresistible power which comes to the rescue of those who fight on in the face of discouragement.” ~ Napoleon Hill

Dear Friend of the Dutchess County SPCA,

At the DCSPCA each day is different, each challenge must be met and each new problem solved. When you come to work or volunteer, you never really know exactly what that day will bring.

Enter “Pattycake”—a Persian cat that was surrendered as part of a Humane Law investigation. Officers removed 11 dogs and 4 cats, sorely neglected and malnourished, from a local home. None of these animals were spayed or neutered. Pattycake, in fact, was pregnant and due to have kittens soon. Staff monitored her carefully, to ensure a smooth delivery. As she labored to bring her kittens into the world, it was soon apparent that there was a problem. Due to her weakened condition she was unable to push and deliver the kittens herself. The lives of Pattycake and her unborn kittens were in danger. Our Spay & Neuter Clinic was quickly converted to a surgical delivery room to perform a lifesaving cesarean section. Despite every attempt of the veterinarian and our staff, only one of the five kittens survived. The others were victims of the previous cruelty and neglect which Pattycake had endured.

Pattycake has since been adopted into a loving home. Her kitten, Peaches, is in foster care, still too young and helpless to survive on her own—unable to nurse due to the difficult birth. Soon, Peaches will be ready for adoption into a new family where she will be cherished and cared for. The other cats and dogs found with Pattycake have been spayed and neutered, nourished and prepared for a lifetime of love. We could not perform this kind of rehabilitation without our wonderful contributors, like you. Won’t you please send a donation today so that we can continue to rescue and rehabilitate animals like Pattycake and Peaches, and help prepare them for the life of love and care they so deserve?

Thank you—from all of us at the DCSPCA.

Joyce Garrity
Executive Director