About Us

501c3 Statement

Mission Statement

Welcome Letter

History of DCSPCA

Who's Who

Press Releases

Annual Report

Our Mission

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.

Welcome Letter

Welcome to the website of the Dutchess County SPCA. The DCSPCA is an extraordinary charitable organization with an important mission. Every day, the volunteers and staff at the shelter give their gifts of time and talent to the homeless animals who need us so desperately. We encourage you to join our dedicated family either through volunteering, donating or adopting and welcome you with open arms!

Look around our site, we hope we can help you and we are forever grateful to you for your continued support on behalf of those who can not speak for themselves, the animals.

Joyce Garrity
Executive Director,
DCSPCA

501 (c) (3) Statement

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.

History of the Dutchess County SPCA : 1871 - present

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. A Spay/Neuter clinic was added in 2002. More outdoor kennel spaces were added in 2003 and a free-roam sun room for cats was added in 2006. At about this time, a Master Site Plan was created to address the long range needs of the shelter and the DCSPCA received a gift from the estate of Dr. Edith Har-Esh to launch a capital campaign for a new shelter.

In 1992 the shelter adopted a “No-Kill policy.

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.

Who's Who at the DCSPCA

Joyce Garrity, Executive Director
Catherine Forbes, Development Officer
Rachael Frey, Business Manager
Sherry Taylor, Animal Services Manager
Jami Landry, Senior Humane Law Enforcement Officer
George Roussey, Faithful Companion Director

Board of Directors:
Eric S. Ewing, President
Michelle Almeida, Vice President
Linda Engelhard, Treasurer
Anne Dexter, Secretary
Karen Blonder
Marco Caviglia
Steven Crew DVM
Ron M. Lane
Carol Menken
Susan Moore
June S. Pierson
Jonathan Smith
Susan K. Tucker
Peggy Walsh