Community
Resources
Programs
Frequently, pet surrenders can be avoided if pet parents can get the help they need. Dutchess County SPCA offers a variety of programs for the community, to help keep pets in their homes. We also have many workshops and events to help educate the community.
Safety Net
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In partnership with local nonprofits and social work professionals, we offer temporary safety net housing to companion animals from the Dutchess County area, giving owners peace of mind and the space to navigate their current crisis situation.
Emergency Medical
Repayment Plan
If you're considering surrendering your pet because they are ill or injured and you are unable to afford veterinary care, we will treat your pet (if it is a condition that can be treated here) and customize a repayment program for you.
Behavioral Issues
Our canine and feline experts are always ready to help and advise with behavioral issues such as not using the litter box, resource guarding, hiding, or excessive barking. We also can advise on where to find additional help.
If you are thinking of giving up your pet to the shelter, first look at the programs offered here by Dutchess County SPCA, to see if there is a resource that might address your reason for surrendering. We want to do all we can to help keep pets and families together.
Call Carol at ext. 403 to see if there is something we can do for you.
Community
Partnerships
The Sue A. Redl Program for Animal Victims of Domestic Violence
Thanks to a generous gift from the Redl Family Foundation, DCSPCA can support victims and their children who are escaping domestic violence with the help of Grace Smith House. We provide free housing and veterinary care to the companion animals of these survivors while the families are in residence at Grace Smith House.
The Boyd Pets Adoption Project
The Boyd Pets Adoption Project provides Hudson Valley Hospice patients and their families with a free service, through DCSPCA, to ensure that their beloved pets are cared for, and adopted upon the death of the patient. The program is made possible through funds established by the Susanne P. Boyd and Darrel Boyd Foundation for Animal Welfare.
Trap Neuter
Vaccinate Return
(TNVR)
There are tens of thousands of community (feral) cats in Dutchess County. These cats are the descendants of unneutered house cats, and because they were born outside and never had human interaction, they cannot live in homes. But they are also not wild animals that can fend for themselves. They live by scavaging and are prey to other animals, disease, and automobiles. The life expectancy of a community cat is two years.
DCSPCA works to control the population in partnership with local TNVR organizations by trapping, neutering, vaccinating, and then returning these cats to their territories. DCSPCA also offers free and dramatically reduced spay / neuter services to these partner organizations. Kittens that can be socialized are kept and adopted out. DCSPCA also offers educational and colony management workshops and supportive services to help ensure feral cats are given food and a warm place to sleep. In managed colonies, they can live out their short lives in relative security, and will not be able to reproduce.
Our program is run in partnership with the Dutchess County Department of Behavioral and Community Health.
If you need assistance with community cats in your area, email wellness@dcspca.org to rent a trap, schedule a date for TNVR, or attend one of our TNVR educational events.
Tours & Events
Visit us with your class or scout troop for exclusive tours or to read to the animals. We also regularly host events for adults such as yoga and fun live performances.
Call Maya at ext. 433 about our events schedule, and keep an eye on our website and social media for announcements.
Animal Care Education
We offer special workshops for classrooms, libraries and, other community centers on the proper care of pets, for both children and adults.
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Call Maya at ext. 433
for more information.
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