Lollypop News Winters/Spring 2012 by Lollypop Farm, Humane Society of Greater Rochester

Lollypop News

A Publication of the Humane Society of Greater Rochester

Winter/Spring 2012

Five Ways We Will Do More for Animals in 2012

s another year begins, we are excited to tell you about some key changes and improvements we’re planning that will make Lollypop Farm even better than it is today—for the animals and for the community. Our exciting plans will touch the clinic, adoption center, cat housing area, training and education spaces, the farm, and more. Here are just five of the ways we are aiming to do more for animals in the coming year:

Increasing successful adoptions is a key goal of the changes at Lollypop Farm.

❶ We envision an expanded veterinary clinic with increased capacity, comfortable recovery spaces, and a layout that allows for dogs and cats to be separated. This restructuring will help us to spay and neuter more pets—both shelter animals and other homeless pets in the community—and will also offer better disease control, improving health and decreasing costs. ❷ Our adoption area can get quite busy— especially on weekends, when waiting times significantly increase. This is a good problem to have, of course, but unfortunately, some prospective adopters leave before getting the opportunity to take home an animal. We will address the congestion in this area and also add more meet-and-greet rooms and counseling

See page 8 to learn more!

desks, making it a more pleasant and efficient place and ultimately adopting out more pets. ❸ Many of the horses admitted to Lollypop Farm are untrained, not handled or ridden recently, or just need some extra “polish” to be attractive to a typical adopter. Our future riding ring will provide us the ideal space for our staff to work on training the horses available for adoption and preparing those who aren’t yet ready to be adopted. ❹ In order to better meet the needs of cats, using recommendations from the latest research, we will add a 3,500-square-foot cat room that features colonies, condos, and porches, and build six holding areas. Happier cats mean healthier cats—as well as reduced medical costs. The new adoptable-cat colonies will allow potential adopters to go inside to visit with the kitties, improving the animals’ chances for adoption. ❺ In our efforts to build a compassionate and caring community that respects the humananimal bond, we will educate more children and people of all ages on proper pet care and humane treatment. We plan to offer additional education spaces and pave the Farm Walk to make it more accessible to families with strollers and people with disabilities. These are just some of the exciting changes coming soon to Lollypop Farm. To learn how you can help, please visit www.lollypop.org or contact Cathie Wright at (585) 223-1330 x245 or wright@lollypop.org. l

Collective Community Effort Brings Change

Photo by TheAnimalPortrait.com

P resident ’ s M essage

Nyear at Lollypop Farm. After that

ext month I will celebrate my 17th

This hard-won success is thanks to the collective efforts of so many with a common vision: •O ur veterinary staff who spayed or neutered every cat and kitten adopted from the shelter. •O ur rescue partners who are also ensuring that rescued felines cannot contribute to overpopulation. •G roups focusing on feral cat populations to reduce the number of litters. • Th ose in the community who choose to adopt, giving homeless pets a second chance. •A nd most importantly, our loyal, animal-loving donors. Your financial and volunteer contributions make it possible for us to reduce the cat population and to continue to provide best-in-class care for pets in need.

much time on our campus I can tell you this: the success of this organization is because every one of us—volunteers, donors, and staff members—share the same goal to give animals better lives. With more than 25,000 people sharing a common mission we can bring about great change for the animals in our community. This past year we offered shelter to 10,737 animals. Each comes to us with their own history and needs, and it’s up to our staff and our volunteers to meet these physical, mental, and emotional needs while they are in our care. Because of the support of a compassionate community we are able to do this, as well as find them new, loving homes. Cats and kittens continue to make up half of our incoming population, but I’m elated to share that we are reducing the numbers of cats entering the shelter and increasing the number who are adopted! From a high of 9,412 cats admitted to Lollypop Farm in 2004, for the third year in a row we saw a decrease in admissions. In 2011, we sheltered 7,741 cats and kittens—a 17.75% decrease!

Asilomar Animal Statistics

A BEGINNING SHELTER COUNT 1/1/2011

We must also continually challenge ourselves to do more for the animals and people in our community. As outlined in the cover story, exciting changes are on the horizon. More than ever before, we look to you, our partners in the community for your support. Please join me, our staff, and our board of directors in making these improvements a reality. Together, we can make a better life for animals and a more humane community for us all. Alice L. Calabrese, CAWA President and CEO

Dogs Cats Total 111

335

446 9170

INTAKE (Live Dogs & Cats Only)

B From the Public

2402

6768

C Incoming Transfers from Organizations within Community/Coalition

D Incoming Transfers from Organizations outside Community/Coalition

428

470

E From Owners/Guardians Requesting Euthanasia

273

648

921

3106

7458

10564

F Total Intake [B + C + D + E]

246

549

795

H ADJUSTED TOTAL INTAKE [F minus G]

G Owner/Guardian Requested Euthanasia (Unhealthy & Untreatable Only)

2860

6909

9769

I ADOPTIONS

5267

1538

3729

OUTGOING TRANSFERS to Organizations within Community/Coalition

K OUTGOING TRANSFERS to Organizations outside Community/Coalition

158

162

L RETURN TO OWNER/GUARDIAN

185

305

490

DOGS & CATS EUTHANIZED 5

686

691

N Treatable—Rehabilitatable (Includes Owner/Guardian Requested Euthanasia)

M Healthy (Includes Owner/Guardian Requested Euthanasia)

1176

1236

O Treatable—Manageable (Includes Owner/Guardian Requested Euthanasia)

346

388

P Unhealthy & Untreatable (Includes Owner/Guardian Requested Euthanasia)

1089

1152

2241

Q Total Euthanasia [M + N + O + P]

4556

1196

3360

R Owner/Guardian Requested Euthanasia (Unhealthy & Untreatable Only)

246

550

796

S ADJUSTED TOTAL EUTHANASIA [Q minus R]

950

2810

3760

2831

6848

9679

2844

6907

9751

127

336

463

T SUBTOTAL OUTCOMES [I + J + K + L + S] U DIED OR LOST IN SHELTER/CARE V TOTAL OUTCOMES [T + U] W ENDING SHELTER COUNT 12/31/2011

NOTE: Our live release rate for dogs and cats for the 2011 year is 61.15%. Regarding animals other than dogs and cats in the shelter, we took in 1041 animals and adopted 787 animals.

www.lollypop.org

Mission—Lollypop Farm, the Humane Society of Greater Rochester, is committed to building lifelong bonds between people and animals through education, community outreach programs and the prevention of cruelty. Main Shelter— 99 Victor Road, Fairport, NY 14450 Satellite Adoption Centers PetSmart, 790 Jefferson Road, Henrietta, NY The Mall at Greece Ridge, 271 Greece Ridge Center Drive, Greece, NY Pet$aver Healthy Pet Superstore, 1596 Ridge Road West, Greece, NY Pet$aver Healthy Pet Superstore, 2947 Monroe Avenue Rochester, NY 14618 General Information: (585) 223-1330 Animal Cruelty Hotline: (585) 223-6500 Pet Peeves Behavior Helpline: (585) 295-2999 info@lollypop.org • www.lollypop.org Lollypop News is published twice a year by Lollypop Farm, the Humane Society of Greater Rochester. Issue No. 2012-1, Winter/Spring 2012. Editors: Adrienne McHargue and Kate Antoniades Design: Victoria Brzustowicz © 2012 Lollypop Farm. Lollypop Farm is a registered trademark of the Humane Society of Rochester and Monroe County for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Inc. All rights reserved. Get Social with Lollypop Farm!

H a pp y T a i l s

Read more successful adoption stories at www.lollypop.org/happytails

Stories of Lollypop Farm pets and their adopters Belle and Conan

Sophie

 Just wanted to send a quick note of appreciation for the Feline Frenzy event you had last Thursday. My boyfriend, Kevin, and I had been wanting to adopt a kitty for a while now and figured it was no better time than then. Not only did we leave with a kitty—we left with two! Belle and Conan have been amazing additions to our family, and I am so thankful for Lollypop Farm for bringing them into our lives! Thank you so much!! ~Jen G. P.S. Belle and Conan say thank you, too! Buster

 We adopted Buster six or seven months ago, and he is doing great! He was weak, sad, and scared when we found him at the shelter, but since we have had him, he has been groomed every few months, and the vet said he has gained almost 12 pounds since we adopted him! We love him and can’t imagine our lives without him. He is seven years old but does not act a day over three! We saved his life, and he saved ours too. ~Amy and Marc C.

Snoopy

 We adopted Snoopy three weeks ago, and she is already a wonderful addition to our family. She loves to play and snoop all over the house. Quite the cuddler at night. We love our Snoopy! ~The C. family  Our family increased by one when we adopted Coupe from Lollypop Farm. At the time, our twin daughters were one and a half, and our family dog, Bailey (a Lab mix) was two years old. We had just bought a new house and wanted to get a companion for Bailey. We never thought we’d want a poodle mix, but Coupe was a sweet soul that won me over immediately. I petted his sweet little face and immediately fell in love. Coupe and Bailey are best buds and will be with our family for life. Thanks for all you do to give animals and people happy endings. ~Robin C.

 We adopted Sophie (formerly known as Gypsy) in December 2009. We were walking around, and I spotted Sophie, a gorgeous pit bull/ chocolate Lab mix. I immediately fell in love, though she was a shy dog. It took us about 10 minutes to decide this was the dog we wanted to add to the family. We recently had a baby in June 2011, and she is his protector— she doesn’t leave his side, and she absolutely adores him! We can’t imagine our lives without Sophie. Our next dog, we will definitely be adopting from Lollypop! ~Heather, Tom, and Aiden L.

Coupe and Bailey

Send us your Happy Tails! Email pictures and stories about your Lollypop Farm alumni to happytails@lollypop.org.

Lollypop News—Winter/Spring 2012

Now Offering School Break Camps!

Oofferings are expanding this year ur Humane Education camp

with camps over the school winter and spring breaks! Our fun and educational camp curriculum offers a unique opportunity to make school break memorable! Furry Friends Camp February 21–February 24, 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. Ages 9–12 (Grades 4–6) Careers Helping Critters One-Day Camp April 6, 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. Ages 12–14 (Grades 7–8) Animal Adventures Camp April 9–April 13, 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. Ages 9–12 (Grades 4–6) Visit www.lollypop.org/camp to learn more about the curriculum of each camp and to register. l

Hill’s Science Diet is the official food of Lollypop Farm. We are proud to provide over 100,000 pounds of cat and dog food each year.

www.hillspet.com

Giving Your Pet A Great Start For Over 20 Years!

Rochester’s #1 Store For Healthy Pet Food!

Campers learn firsthand what goes into taking care of animals at the shelter.

1596 Ridge Road West Stone Ridge Plaza Greece

2947 Monroe Ave. Monroe-Clover Plaza Brighton/Pittsford

621-0890

242-0808

www.petsaversuperstore.com

Now Open - New Location

A very proud supporter of Lollypop Farm! www.lollypop.org

Cruelty Case Animals Now Have New Hope

3the Humane Society of Greater 70 days after being rescued by

Rochester from squalid conditions on a farm in Riga, nearly 150 animals finally had the chance for loving homes. On December 21, 2011, Town of Riga court granted the Humane Society full custody of all animals seized during a cruelty investigation at 366 Malloch Road in December 2010. A year of legal motions and hearings delayed the court’s ruling on custody of the animals. In December 2010, Humane Society officers arrested Andrea E. Acomb for animal cruelty. The animals— 66 chickens, 60 water fowl, 16 cats, three dogs, four horses, and one goat—were all being kept in unsanitary conditions that were affecting their health and welfare. Once in the care of Lollypop Farm, the animals were all provided any needed medical treatment, proper housing and nutritious food, and loving care and attention from staff and volunteers. Caring for so many animals for such a long time in addition to our ongoing operations put a huge strain on our system and budget—nearly $90,000 went into veterinary and daily care.

Rosie was the first of 16 cats to be adopted into a new family.

The six counts of misdemeanor animal cruelty charges against Acomb are currently pending in Town of Riga court. Each misdemeanor animal cruelty charge could lead to a sentence of one year in jail and/or a $1,000 fine. As of press time, there had not yet been a ruling in the case…but nine of the cats, eight chickens, five ducks, and a goose have been adopted to new homes. Thank you for making endings like these possible for animal victims of neglect in our community! Our Emergency Veterinary Assistance and Reward Fund was established to ensure that Lollypop Farm can continue

With proper care and feeding, Sara is healthy and available for adoption.

to provide the best possible care to these and other victims of animal cruelty. Learn how you can lend your support at www.lollypop.org/vetfund. l

Saturday May

19 2012

Sonnenberg Gardens & Mansion lollypop.org/thegreatcatsby

A Benefit for Lollypop News—Winter/Spring 2012

P aw s

for

A pp l au s e

Enjoy more Paws for Applause year-round at www.facebook.com/lollypopfarm

Sending thanks to all who support Lollypop Farm!

e send our thanks to a group of artistic sophomores, juniors, and seniors at Pittsford Sutherland High School. Thirty-six students worked in art teacher Heather Vitticore’s graphic design classes to make several greeting cards with animal themes. Some of the images used were taken from the Lollypop Farm website, and some were created by the students themselves. Each student made three to four designs and gave Lollypop Farm a few copies of each. We are planning to use these great-looking notecards to help us thank our donors for their support and for other purposes as well. You may just see one of the students’ cards in your mailbox soon! We appreciate their hard work. l

Wags to Wishes In addition to everyday pet care items, we are also asking for donations of more specialized items that help animals, too! • Computers. We rely on computers to maintain animal records and complete adoptions, so having upgraded technology helps us immensely! Donations of desktop and laptop computers that are at most three years old are most welcome. Before bringing in any equipment, please contact Alex Chernavsky, IT manager, at (585) 223-1330 x132 or alexc@lollypop.org. • Easy Walk Harnesses. These harnesses help us teach good leash manners to the dogs in our care—which makes them more adoptable—and we need them in a variety of sizes. You can purchase them right at the Lollypop Shop (just off our lobby), or at other local and online retailers. Our complete wish list can be found at www.lollypop.org/wishlist. l

Summer Farm Camp

Calendar of Events

ollypop Farm Camp offers handson opportunities for children ages 4–12 to explore everything from cats to iguanas to guinea pigs! Week-long camp sessions take place from the end of June through August at the shelter at Lollypop Farm, 99 Victor Road, Fairport, NY. Campers will learn about the responsibilities of pet ownership, discover fun facts about different animals, work on projects to be used by the animals here at Lollypop Farm, and much more. Learn more and register at www. lollypop.org/camp. l

March – Register for Dog Training Classes Starting Soon February 20 – Young Professionals Group Meeting Feb. 21–24 – Furry Friends Camp February 28 – World Spay Day March – Register for Summer Camps March 3 – Telethon 2012 March 10 – Pet Loss Support Group Seminar (visit online calendar for additional group dates) March 12 – Young Professionals Group Meeting March 18 – Cycle for Charity

Farm camp offers a unique and memorable experience for the young animal lover.

April 6 – Careers Helping Critters One-Day Camp April 9–13 – Animal Adventures Camp

Barktober Fest 2011 Was a Howlin’ Good Time!

May 19 – Gala 2012: The Great Catsby June – Adopt-a-Cat Month

Luminaria Photography

With an estimated 2,500 in attendance during the day, Barktober Fest hosted over 200 runners in the 5-mile race, 450 walkers, and too many of our four-legged friends to count! In addition to the race and walk, the daylong festival included dog competitions, vendor booths, kids’ activities, food, demonstrations, our popular Animal Contests, and more! Lollypop Farm also thanks the very

Every Friday at 11:00 a.m. – Animal Tales Drop-In Story Time Visit www.lollypop.org for updates and details on all Lollypop Farm events and classes.

generous Rochester community, corporate sponsors, and dedicated volunteers for their continued support of the critical and lifesaving work for animals in need. l

The pet costume contest is a crowd favorite.

Luminaria Photography

arktober Fest 2011 Presented by Pet$aver Healthy Pet Superstore on Saturday, September 24, shaped up to be a howlin’ good time! The event raised $122,600 through registrations for the event, participants gathering pledges, corporate sponsorships, and festival activities—all to support our work to help homeless and abused animals.

Nearly 500 people of all ages walked to show their support of pets in our community.

Lollypop News—Winter/Spring 2012

Be a Humane Hero Today... Make a Difference All Year. Your monthly donation for one calendar year makes you a hero to the homeless pets at Lollypop Farm! It’s a simple way to ensure quality care and a second chance at a loving home for animals in need. Monthly donations of $25 or more qualify for great incentives and allow us to spay or neuter 12 animals, helping the fight against pet overpopulation.