In order to avoid having to euthanize healthy animals just for the sake
of space, we rely on the cooperation and understanding of people such
as yourself.
If you’re moving: Please allow plenty of time to either locate
a new residence that accepts pets or to find a home for your pet.
If you’re suffering allergies, please consult your physician as
there are a number of medical possibilities to help. Consult your vet
as there are some petfood additives that can reduce pet dander. You can
also create a clean room in your house with an animal free zone and use
hypo allergenic pillows and pillow covers
Please note that if you miss your scheduled appointment, you will again
be placed at the end of any waiting list and must establish another appointment.
Because the shelter is a stressful environment for any animal, we urge
you to place your pet privately whenever possible. Our shelter has an
incredibly successful adoption percentage, but the sad reality is that
some animals remain at our shelter for many months waiting for a new home.
Faithful Companion’s staff understands the pain and loss felt
when a beloved pet passes away.
- Private cremation with cremains returned in a decorative
tin
- A full selection of beautiful urns
- Communal cremations
- Burials in our lovely on site pet cemetery
- Memorial grave markers
- Beautiful flowering memorial trees planted on cemetery grounds
with plaque
- Pick-up service
- Cremation Certificate
All proceeds from Faithful Companion’s operation go directly
to the homeless animals at the Dutchess County SPCA. This lasting
tribute
allows us to rehabilitate and rehome the unwanted and abused animals
in our community.
You may request our services through your veterinarian or by contacting
our Faithful Companion Director, George Roussey directly at 845-452-7722
ext 19.
The
Dutchess County SPCA understands how frightening it can be when a
beloved
pet is missing. So many animals are brought to our shelter and are
listed as strays because they aren’t wearing a collar with tags.
They may never have had one, or the collar may have come off. Either
way,
without identification, we can’t locate the owner and return
the animal to it’s rightful home, so we often spend a lot of
time finding a new home for an animal that may already have one. And
you
run the risk of never seeing your beloved pet again.
As the saying goes “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound
of cure”, we offer the following tips:
• Always make sure that your pet has some form of identification.
Name tags, tattoo, or microchipping all dramatically increase the
chances
of pet being returned to you if it becomes lost
• Photograph all pets to keep on file and update the photos from
time to time
• During unusually busy times such as the holidays or Halloween
when lots of people are visiting your home, keep your pet safe and
secure
in a closed bedroom
• If pets are afraid of loud noises, keep them secure during
thunderstorms and 4th of July.
If by chance your pet does become lost, we would like to help and
offer the services of the DCSPCA Lost and Found Program Coordinator;
Bonnie
Hill.
Bonnie can be contacted at 845-384-6375, by
email or fax 845-384-6375.
Bonnie will help you coordinate your search efforts and monitor the
incoming animals at the DCSPCA to see if any match the description
of
your pet.
To list your pet or search for
your pet online try the following sites:
Find Fido
Hudson Valley Lost/Found Pets
Pets 911
Lost and Found
Pet
Network - Lost & Found Animals
Lost Pet Guidelines
First and foremost, remember to STAY CALM and don’t give up hope.
Losing a pet is frightening, but many mistakes can be made and time
wasted if your actions are not thought out with a clear head. These
guidelines are designed for quick, easy reference and are listed in
the order you should proceed.
1. START THE SEARCH IMMEDIATELY
• Do not hesitate to ask for help from family, friends,
neighbors, etc…
• Working in groups of 2 or more, start searching around
the area the animal was last seen
• Distribute pictures of animal and/or detailed description:
name, breed, color, sex, markings or tattoos, weight, collar
or
tags
• Don’t forget children on bikes can cover a large
area
• Cell phones will help to communicate with others in the
search party
• Try different times of day or night. Cats are more active
early morning and at night. Dogs may be active anytime and may
tend to run farther. Also, dogs may burrow into self made dens
and cats may climb trees.
• DO NOT CHASE AND NEVER YELL AT THE ANIMAL! Establish
contact by calling and whistling. Be cautious, however, about
calling
your pet across a busy road. Remember- stay calm. Attempt to
stop or slow traffic, keep your own safety in mind
• Bring a flashlight for evening search. Carry a leash
or slip collar and carrying case to catch the animal and prevent
escape
• Systematically extend the search to surrounding areas.
Drive through the neighborhood while calling calmly
• Bring canned pet food warmed in a microwave to entice
your pet. The warming intensifies the aroma.
• Place Hav-a-Hart traps in areas where your pet may have
been spotted or regularly visits
2. CONTACT AND/OR VISIT DAILY
• Humane Shelters : Dutchess County SPCA (452-7722) Ulster County
SPCA ( 331-5377), Putnam County SPCA ( 225-7777) Columbia/Greene SPCA
( 518-828-6044)
• Animal Emergency Clinic of the Hudson Valley ( 471- 8242 )
• Animal Control Facilities:
Phone numbers are usually listed under local government offices in
blue pages of phone book
• Animal Welfare Agencies: Mid-Hudson Animal Aid ( 831-4321)
Animal Rescue Foundation ( 831-5161)
• Local Veterinarians
Contact immediately- some facilities euthanize within 5 days
Do not underestimate how far an animal can travel in a short amount
of time. Your pet’s appearance may change through weight loss
or matted and dirty coat. Also, someone else’s interpretation
of your description may vary greatly. Collars can be broken off
and
your pet may no longer be wearing tags. Everyone who knows the animal
should help visit these places in person, repeatedly.
Also call your Local police, State Troopers, County Sheriffs: Remember-
DO NOT USE 911 to report your missing pet. Phone numbers are in the
blue pages of your phone book.
3. PREPARE FLYERS
• Use clear photograph if available
• Give detailed descriptions of above photograph
• Mark the date the animal was lost
• Write “ REWARD” at top of flyer, but not an amount
• Note if animal needs medication
• Always list phone number(s) so people can call. Tear tags listing
phone number are very easy to make and convenient. Be sure someone
will
answer 24 hours a day
• Make words LARGE and Easy to Read
• Flyers printed with inkjet printers will run if they get wet.
Save these for indoors
4. POST FLYERS
• Always ask permission to post flyer. Bring your own tape and
pushpins and post the flyer yourself.
• Post at professional pet places: Veterinary offices, Animal
Hospitals, Emergency Clinics, Feed Stores, Groomers, Kennels, Pet
Shops
and Dog Training Schools
• Post at general places: Community bulletin boards, shopping
centers, places of worship, schools, grocery stores, gas stations,
post
offices, laundromats, trees or telephone poles in highly trafficked
areas
5. HAND OUT FLYERS: In your local area all day long,
especially to people who travel regularly through your neighborhood,
like:
• Mail Delivery Persons ( also UPS and FEDEX drivers )
• Meter Readers
• Newspaper Delivery Persons
• Police and Fire Departments
• Department of Highway Workers
6. PLACE ADS
• Newspapers ( both local and slightly outside the area )
• Radio Stations
• Local T.V. Stations
- Other Sources
• Dog Breed Rescue Groups ( most shelters have a listing of phone
numbers )
• Petfinders ( 1-800-666-5678 ) www.petfinder.com
• Internet - DCSPCA Lost and Found department is maintained by
volunteer Bonnie Hill. She can be reached at bhill1@hvc.rr.com
See our links above
KEEP SEARCHING!! Many pets can disappear for months
and still turn up.
Once you have found your pet, please remember to notify everyone of
that fact, and please remove all flyers previously posted.
Low Cost Spay/Neuter Options
Myths abound regarding the spaying and neutering of pets. The truth
of the matter is that it is a healthy option for them-no bones about
it! Spaying a female before her first heat (estrus cycle) reduces the
risk of mammary cancer to nearly 0%. They do NOT need to have a litter
before spaying. Neutering male animals prevents testicular cancer,
and in older pets, prostate problems. These simple surgeries can be
done
when the pet is two (2) to six (6) months of age.
The Dutchess County SPCA recognizes and supports early age spay/neuter
as the most effective and humane way to prevent pet overpopulation
and
needless euthanasia. To that end, every dog or cat adopted from the
Dutchess County SPCA is spayed or neutered prior to placement in their
new home. With millions of cats and dogs being euthanized annually
nationwide, even one litter is too many!
Click here for our newly expanded Spay/Neuter Information List
Animal
Behavior Helpline
845-431-6713 (press #1)
By rescuing a stray you have demonstrated compassion and a real concern
for the plight of homeless animals. Many of the animals are brought
to our shelter without a known history and sometimes behavioral issues
will surface, usually within the first few weeks in a new home.
Our Helpline is a service offered to those who have adopted from the
Dutchess County SPCA. We provide this service because we are committed
to the welfare of our animals and because we want to ensure that every
adoption is a happy and permanent adoption.
Some of our animals have never been in a home before and some have
known only abuse. Please be patient. With love and kindness almost
any issue
can be resolved, provided that you are willing to work with the animal
and that you follow our recommendations.
Obedience training to teach your dog manners and what is expected
of him/her in his/her new household can resolve many issues and is
strongly
recommended. Many of the dogs at the Dutchess County SPCA have had
some basic obedience training thanks to Top Notch Obedience.
To contact Top Notch Obedience call Aggie Poillucci at 845-297-2948
or by email.
You can also ask your Veterinarian to recommend either a trainer
or a behaviorist or visit the
Association of Pet Dog Trainers for other referrals.
The Denver Dumb Friends League has an extensive list of solutions
and tips on solving common dog and cat behavior problems. Instead of
reduplicating their excellent efforts, we invite you to click on their
name for advice on many different subjects.
Behavior modification can be a slow process but is almost always successful
if you practice it consistently and is always worth it! Call us, we’re
here to help.
What is Animal Cruelty?
There is no simple or single definition for animal cruelty. Because,
cruelty is defined differently by different people. Probably the best
way to understand animal cruelty is to directly define it as "CRIMES
AGAINST ANIMALS". Cruelty usually starts with neglect or abuse
and may lead to serious injury and in some cases death.
New York State Agriculture and Markets Law defines an animal as "every
living creature except a human being". Cruelty is defined as "every
act, omission, or neglect, whereby unjustifiable physical pain, suffering
or death is caused or permitted."
The Dutchess County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
(DCSPCA) founded in 1871, incorporated in 1961, and chartered by the
American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) is
a not-for-profit animal protection organization whose mission is the
prevention of cruelty to all animals in Dutchess County. The DCSPCA's
Division of Law Enforcement (DLE) is primarily responsible for the
enforcement
of all state laws dealing with crimes against animals. The DLE employs
highly trained and experienced Agent/Investigators who are certified
New York State Peace Officers and have the same powers as Police Officers.
The following are some types of investigations conducted by the DLE:
- Depriving animals of necessary food, water or shelter
- Failing to provide necessary Veterinary care
- Abandonment of animals
- Fighting mammals and birds
- Poisoning of animals
- Malicious and intentional maiming
- Confinement in unsanitary conditions
The DCSPCA-DLE does not respond to complaints regarding village,
town, city or county ordinances such as barking dogs, animals running
at large
or rabies enforcement. There are Dog Control or Animal Control Officer
responsibilities.
TO REPORT SUSPECTED NEGLECT, ABUSE OR CRIMES AGAINST ANIMALS, CONTACT
THE DCSPCA-DIVISION OF LAW ENFORCEMENT 845-452-7722 ext 3 OR CONTACT
YOUR LOCAL POLICE.
Humane Law Enforcement
Cruelty consists of any act(s) which a person intentionally
causes, procures or permits any animal to be:
- Abandoned
- Exploited
- Tortured
- Denied food and drink
- Seriously Injured
- Cruelly Beaten
- Overdriven or overloaded
- Denied Veterinary care
- Mutilated or killed
- Exposed to unsafe or unsanitary conditions
This law not only includes the person(s) who actually inflict the act
of cruelty but also those who know of such situations yet do not
act
to either stop or report the act.
Source: New York State Agriculture & Markets, Article 26, Section
353
Abandonment: Abandoning an animal in a public place, on a street or
road. This also includes releasing an animal into the wild to fend
for
itself, or disposing of the animal on any property not belonging to
the owner of said animal.
Punishable by imprisonment for up to one (1) year, or a fine of up
to $1000.00, or both.
Aggravated Cruelty: Torturing, overloading (beasts of burden), cruelly
beating, mutilating or maiming any animal, wild or tame, or permitting
any animal to be tortured, cruelly beaten, overloaded, mutilated or
maimed.
Punishable by imprisonment for up to one (1) year, or a fine of up
to $1000.00, or both.
The Dutchess County SPCA provides Animal Control services to Hyde Park
and Pleasant Valley. You may reach our Animal Control Officers at 845-452-7722
ext 4. You may reach the ACO/Dog Warden of the following towns at the
corresponding numbers:
The
mission of the Dutchess County SPCA is to help the abandoned, abused homeless
animals of Dutchess County. To support this mission we will always give
priority to those animals first. Also, as a shelter that accepts animals
involved in Humane Law cases, from time to time we might not be able to
accept incoming animals from private homes.
