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We are a 501 (c) (3) non profit organization. Donations may be tax deductible
to the fullest extent allowed by law. Please check with your tax preparer
for details.
A copy of our latest annual report may be obtained, upon request, from
the DCSPCA or from the Office of the Attorney General, Charities Bureau,
120 Broadway, New York, NY 10271.
The first animal anticruelty law in the United States was passed on
April 10, 1866.
Five years later, on September 1st, 1871, a group of prominent community
leaders in Poughkeepsie held a public meeting to form the Poughkeepsie
Branch of the A.S.P.C.A. The name was changed in 1889 to the "Poughkeepsie
Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals".
There is a gap in the records until 1937. At that time there was a small
wooden shelter, a shed, behind the City of Poughkeepsie incinerator, on
an underdeveloped road. The quarters were cramped and had no ventilation,
sanitary facilities, phone or running water.
In 1939, the Society again changed its name, to the name it bears today,
the Dutchess County SPCA. A parcel of land, which was more accessible
to the public, was purchased on Washington Street across from St. Francis
Hospital.
Construction of the shelter that was able to house 30 dogs was completed
in 1941. By 1958 the Shelter on Washington Street was too small. Mrs.
Donald Love organized a group of community women and formed the SPCA Auxiliary
to raise funds to purchase land and build a new facility. They held various
fundraisers such as the Animal Kingdom Ball and rummage sales and were
able to purchase 31 acres of land on 9G in Hyde Park, where the shelter
still stands.
The new cement block building that was dedicated in July 1961 contained
a small animal room for cats and puppies and isolation ward for sick animals.
There was also a cemetery on the grounds where for a fee people could
bury their deceased pets. The Auxiliary continued to raise money to support
the Shelter for many years as well as to provide funds for the spaying
and neutering of adopted animals.
By 1970, the Shelter was taking in animals from all of the surrounding
towns.
In 1985, the DCSPCA was taking in approximately 4,000 animals a year,
and so in 1987 the building was expanded. A puppy run, holding room and
storage area was added. Outdoor kennels for large dogs and runs were added
in 1997.
Today, the organization faces many of the same problems that faced Boards
throughout the years: too many animals in need, lack of funds, and inadequate
facilities.
 Joyce Garrity, Executive Director
Anna Waz, Director of Development
Sandy Nunziata, Administrator
Sherry Taylor, Animal Services Manager
Jami Landry, Senior Humane Law Enforcement Officer
George Roussey, Faithful Companion Director
Board of Directors:
Donald H. Briggs, President
Eric S. Ewing, 1st Vice President
June S. Pierson, 2nd Vice President
Fuad Payman, Treasurer
Linda Engelhard, Assistant Treasurer
Michelle Almeida, Secretary
Lori Arkin
Karen Blonder
Debbi Calabrese, Immediate Past President
Marco Caviglia
Owen T. Clarke Jr.
Steven Crew DVM
Anne Dexter
Ron M. Lane
Susan Moore
Pat Tetrault
Kimberly Tompkins
Susan K. Tucker
Peggy Walsh
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