Lollypop News Winter/Spring 2013 by Lollypop Farm, Humane Society of Greater Rochester

Lollypop News

A Publication of the Humane Society of Greater Rochester

Winter/Spring 2013

News Headlines Are Just the Tip of the Iceberg

“D

og Abandoned in Local Pet Store.” “Puppy Thrown Against Wall and Drowned.” “Wounded Dog Found Locked in a Crate.” Horrible headlines like these from our local media often shock the community into thinking about the plight of animals who are abused. But what makes the news occasionally does not reflect the huge amount of work being done behind the scenes every day. One of the ways Lollypop Farm works to address cruelty to animals is through our Humane Law Enforcement Department.

Pierre, who was abandoned in a local pet store, received muchneeded veterinary care from Chief Veterinarian Dr. Newmark and the rest of our veterinary and shelter staff. He was transferred to one of our rescue partners for recovery and adoption, but the criminal investigation continues.

As the Humane Society of Greater Rochester, we are the only authorized organization in Monroe County with an SPCA designation charged with investigating and enforcing the animal cruelty laws of New York State. Some neighboring counties—Orleans, Genesee, and Livingston—do not have a designated SPCA, so we also have jurisdiction to investigate animal cruelty in those areas. Our law enforcement department is funded solely by private donations from compassionate people like you and others in the community; no tax dollars support our efforts to investigate animal cruelty. Three veteran officers spend their days responding to cruelty complaints: Officer and

law enforcement supervisor Reno DiDomenico was a Monroe County Sheriff for 21 years prior to his 5 years with our organization, Officer Jill Ploof has spent the last 18 years as an animal cruelty investigator and animal control officer, and Officer Bob Benedict was with the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office for 23 years before his 2 years as an animal cruelty investigator. These investigators, along with dispatcher Lee Nearpass, make up the law enforcement team at our organization. Our investigators have the same duties, arrest powers, and limitations as other law enforcement agencies. “We’re not animal control officers,” explains Officer Ploof. “We’re certified New York State Peace Officers who work for a private organization. If we see a crime being committed, we have the authority to make an arrest.” Animal cruelty investigations are conducted in the same manner as any criminal investigation: by gathering sufficient evidence to warrant an arrest and enable the courts to convict a suspect for the crime. From interviewing witnesses, to gathering surveillance video, to collecting fingerprints, to conducting a veterinary forensic examination, building a case for an arrest takes time and gathering medical evidence may take days or even weeks. Occasionally, frustrated animal lovers balk at the lengthy process or our inability to “just take an animal away.” Officer DiDomenico explains, “Officers can only enforce Continued on page 8

Photo by TheAnimalPortrait.com

P resident ’ s M essage

Ihow the idea of ‘no kill’ is a communityn the last Lollypop News I wrote about

wide commitment and not simply a single shelter’s edict. I concluded with a plea for help: asking for our community to embrace spay and neuter, to adopt from shelters, and to support your local animal welfare organizations.

This issue, I’d like to share with you some exciting news and make another plea for help.

We were also awarded $75,000 from the ASPCA to support our low-income spay/neuter voucher program, SNIP. With these funds we’ve been able to make spay/ neuter more accessible by covering more of the low-income pet owner’s surgery costs and provide even more services in the community.

So here is my plea to you. Volunteer. Offer your help in our spay/neuter clinic, become a Pet Peeves counselor, assist with our outreach activities. If you are willing to roll up your sleeves with us, we’ll be on our way to stopping the unchecked influx of litters of puppies and kittens into the shelter and to teach responsible and loving pet care.

I’m excited to share that we were awarded a $73,780 grant for this targeted project and soon will be offering free spay and neuter surgeries to pet owners living in the 14613 zip code in the City of Rochester. Our goal is to sterilize 1,500 cats and dogs in the coming months. In addition, volunteer counselors with our free Pet Peeves Behavior

A BEGINNING SHELTER COUNT 7/1/2012

Helpline will be offering their advice on pet behavior issues and other aspects of pet ownership.

We are thrilled to have this funding to help so many more animals, but we still need help to accomplish our goals.

This Fall, we applied for a grant from PetSmart Charities to implement a spay and neuter effort on a defined area of our community. In order to identify which area to target we sought help from our colleagues at Rochester Animal Services and together we looked at animal relinquishments to both shelters, community access to veterinary services, number of households, and income levels.

Asilomar Animal Statistics

Let’s Roll Up Our Sleeves and Get to Work

Just pick up the phone and call today: (585) 223-1330. 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 121

421

542 5178

INTAKE (Live Dogs & Cats Only) 1069

4109

C Incoming Transfers from Organizations within Community/Coalition

B From the Public

D Incoming Transfers from Organizations outside Community/Coalition

167

190

E From Owners/Guardians Requesting Euthanasia

142

275

417

1379

4471

5850

131

230

361

1248

F Total Intake [B + C + D + E] G Owner/Guardian Requested Euthanasia (Unhealthy & Untreatable Only) H ADJUSTED TOTAL INTAKE [F minus G]

4241

5489

550

2021

2571

OUTGOING TRANSFERS to Organizations within Community/Coalition

K OUTGOING TRANSFERS to Organizations outside Community/Coalition

179

L RETURN TO OWNER/GUARDIAN

280

358

I ADOPTIONS J

DOGS & CATS EUTHANIZED

M Healthy (Includes Owner/Guardian Requested Euthanasia)

541

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

904

922

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

176

187

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

612

597

1209

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

641

2218

2859

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

131

229

360

S ADJUSTED TOTAL EUTHANASIA [Q minus R]

510

1989

2499

1232

4375

5607

1239

4406

5645

129

254

383

T SUBTOTAL OUTCOMES [I + J + K + L + S] U DIED OR LOST IN SHELTER/CARE V TOTAL OUTCOMES [T + U] W ENDING SHELTER COUNT 12/31/2012

NOTE: Our live release rate for dogs and cats for this period in 2012 is 55.43%. Regarding animals other than dogs and cats in the shelter, 577 animals were surrendered and adopted 394 to new homes.

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. 2013-1, Winter/Spring 2013. Editor: Adrienne McHargue Contributing Writer: Laura Seymour Design: Victoria Brzustowicz, www.victoriabcreative.com © 2013 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

Teagan

 We couldn’t be more blessed to have Teagan (formally Teela) with us! The past couple months have been wonderful. She enjoys hiking, going for a run, or endlessly fetching tennis balls just about every day, but once she’s inside, she’s the biggest cuddler. Thank you to everyone at Lollypop Farm for their help and support in helping us find the perfect dog! ~C.J. and Mike

 Here’s a picture of us just as we were about to leave the Greece Adoption Center to take Porgy home with us. You can probably tell that we felt very happy! When we picked him up, Porgy climbed up on my shoulder immediately and then settled on my lap. I hope he’ll continue to be as snuggly as he’s been so far. Many thanks to everyone at Lollypop Farm for all that you do for the animals, and people too! ~Ellen & Barry S.

Porgy

Ina Hope

 Ina Hope is such a joy and blessing! We are so happy she adopted us. She has found her favorite window and loves to snuggle on Mommy and Daddy’s bed. She’s W-O-N-D-E-R-FU-L with the children. Thank you so much for bringing much happiness to our family. ~Cim M.

Send us your Happy Tails!

Email pictures and stories about your Lollypop Farm alumni to happytails@lollypop.org.

Thanks for Your Vote!

Pof our friends aws up to all

Tika

 Here is a photo of Tika—she is doing very well. She’s been quiet as a mouse all night until I uncover her cage in the morning. She lies down in the crook of my arm and falls asleep when I am petting her. She has also been talking and says “Hello” and “How are you?” I’m very happy to have her, and she seems happy as well. ~John

Serenity

 Just checking in to let you know how Serenity (adopted in Oct) is doing. When looking for a companion for our 14 yr old horse, named Butterfly, we considered several horses from different places, then we saw Serenity on the Lollypop Farm website. It was LOVE at first sight. A sweet name, a beautiful face, young, and trainable—my wife and I had to adopt her. ~Cheryl & Guy C.

and fans in Rochester for voting us the “Best Local Nonprofit Organization” and “Best Pet-Related Business” in the CITY Newspaper Best of Rochester 2012 poll. We were also chosen as “Best Charity Organization” in the 2012 Democrat and Chronicle Rochester Choice Awards for the sixth year in a row! Your support makes what we do for the animals possible. Thank you! l Lollypop News—Winter/Spring 2013

Barktober Fest 2012 Was A Howlin’ Good Time

BSuperstore shaped up to be a howlin’ good time. The

arktober Fest 2012 Presented by Pet$aver Healthy Pet

event brought in over $110,000 through registrations for the 5-mile race and walk for the animals, participants gathering pledges, corporate sponsorships, and festival activities—all to support the animals at Lollypop Farm, the Humane Society of Greater Rochester. With an estimated 1,500 in attendance during the day, Barktober Fest hosted over 150 runners in the 5-mile race, over 300 walkers, many corporate sponsors, and too many of our four-legged friends to count! Thank you to everyone who was a part of this great event! For race results, top fundraising results, and pictures from the day, visit www.lollypop.org/bfest. l

Two groovy participants in the Barktober Fest 2012 costume contest.

On Our Way to Building a Better Lollypop

The two-story 4,834 sq. ft. training wing includes a dividable auditorium space for training and education programs, as well as additional offices.

The Klingenstein Veterinary Clinic is a 4,887 sq. ft. expansion that includes functionally separated exam space, pre-operative, surgical, and recovery areas.

C have been working away at

training programs that includes a dividable auditorium space and additional offices.

onstruction crews with LeChase

Lollypop Farm in Fairport! In May 2012, we broke ground on a welve month, 13,000 sq. f.t., $5.7 million expansion and renovation project aimed at increasing the scope of what our organization can do for animals. Phase I of the project has focused on two expansion wings to the existing building. The Klingenstein Veterinary Clinic is a 4,887 sq. ft. expansion that will allow us to spay or neuter more animals with functionally separated exam space, pre-operative, surgical, and recovery areas. Very visible from the front of the building is a new two-story 4,834 sq. ft. training wing for school, community, and volunteer

www.lollypop.org

We are excited to be expanding into these two new wings during the month of February, just as Phase II of the project begins. The next phase involves renovating existing space in the lobby, auditorium, and adoption areas. Key changes include the creation of the Donald A. Robins Cat Adoption Center and the dedication of our Dog Adoption Center in honor of Greg Polisseni and his Great Dane, “Halle”. For more information on our plans, and to support the project, visit www.buildabetterlollypop.org. l

Legacy Gift Reflects Life of Compassion Shaggy, a nurse for 42 years, thought maybe she could work in our veterinary clinic instead of the cat room. Unfortunately at the time, volunteers were not working in the clinic, so Shaggy decided to become a dog walker!

Shaggy poses with adoptable dog Charlie, before taking him to appear on television as Pet of the Week.

ontemplating retirement, cat-lover Shaggy Stoltz knew she wanted to do something to keep herself active, but wasn’t quite sure what. Then a friend recommended she volunteer at Lollypop Farm. Not wanting to bring home every cat she saw,

Shaggy’s simple dog walker volunteer role grew over the years to also include providing our dogs with enrichment, bringing them to Channel 10 Pet of the Week segments, and handling them for their website picture photo session. It wasn’t long before Shaggy knew she wanted to do more, and decided to leave a legacy through a bequest in her will. “I’ve designated a specific dollar amount in support of the animals, but

I may end up leaving a percentage of my entire estate to Lollypop Farm. That’s one of the great things about leaving a bequest; you can always change it,” states Shaggy. For passionate donors, end of life gifts also ensure that your support will live on and that your voice is heard. That was an important factor for Shaggy, who says, “I feel good knowing my voice is heard and that my money will go to causes that mean the most to me.” If you, like Shaggy, want your voice to be heard, contact Director of Development, Cathie Wright, at (585) 223-1330 ext. 245. l

Adoption Events Set Records

Are you thinking of selling or trading in that old car, truck, boat, RV, or snowmobile? Why not donate it instead? A charitable contribution of your vehicle could make a big difference in the lives of so many homeless pets. Learn more! (585) 223-1330 x244 www.lollypop.org/donateacar

It’s a rare sight: staff congregate in our nearly-empty cat adoption room to celebrate 165 cats adopted in one day!

his past year we were able to offer one-day adoption specials that waived the fees for all cats. Almost 300 kitties were adopted through these two “Free Fur All” events! We owe a huge thank you to our community—adopters, donors, volunteers, staff, media, and more—for your support in saving so many lives on these special days! Your donations enable us to continue to offer adoption incentives like these in order to adopt even more pets into loving homes. l Lollypop News—Winter/Spring 2013

Thank You for ROC’ing the Day

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.

ollypop Farm, the Humane Society of Greater Rochester, is proud to have again been part of ROC the Day, our community’s 24-hour period of giving across the nine-county region on 12-12-12. We are thrilled to announce that nearly $50,000 was raised for Lollypop Farm on ROC the Day through individual donations and our matching grant donors, Jerid Fisher, Ph.D., ABN, and Laurie Elliott, who EACH matched $10,000. This support is critical to creating a future where we are able to care for more animals, perform more spay or neuter surgeries, and prevent more animal cruelty. We are so grateful that so many of you chose to make a difference for the pets in our community and the people who love them! l

www.hillspet.com

Camp Fun on the Farm

ollypop Farm Camp offers hands-on opportunities for children ages 4–12 to explore everything from cats to iguanas to guinea pigs!

February 19 – 22 February Furry Friends Camp March 2 Lollypop Farm Telethon 2013 March Register for Summer Farm Camp

Week-long camp sessions take place during school breaks in February and April, and over the summer 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 11 Young Professionals Group Meeting March 29 Future Vet Camp April 1 – 5 Careers Helping Critters Camp May 4 Purrr Imagination Gala 2013 June – August Weekly Summer Farm Camp Sessions

Campers participate in our Future Vet program.

Remote Adoptions

ur pets are hitting the road! In an effort to adopt even more pets into new homes, we are expanding our adoptions to include mobile adoptions around the Greater Rochester.

Off-Site Adoption Coordinator Vickie Patridge will head out on the road with adoptable pets.

Upcoming Remote Adoption Events February 23, 12-4 pm, Lollypop Farm Adoption Center and Verizon Wireless, The Mall at Greece Ridge March 10 Pucks and Paws at the Rochester Americans March 23, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m., Legacy at Erie Station in Henrietta Learn more about Pets on the Road and new dates as they are scheduled at www.lollypop.org/ontheroad

Calendar of Events

Our new Off-Site Adoption Coordinator, Vickie Patridge, will be taking dogs and cats to local venues like pet stores, community events, retail locations, senior living communities, and more. Adopters will be able to meet pets at convenient locations, and maybe even bring home a new family member the very same day! Our remote adoptions include the same comprehensive list of services as our regular adoptions, and Vickie will be on-site to answer your questions. We’ll be hitting the road multiple times a week, so check our website for upcoming “Pets on the Road” events near you! l

Ongoing Pet Loss Support Seminar (2nd Saturday of each month) Dog Adoption Days in Greece (Last Saturday of each month) Animal Tales Drop-In Story Time (Fridays each week) Dog Training Classes Visit www.lollypop.org for updates on all Lollypop Farm events.

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Lollypop News—Winter/Spring 2013

News Headlines Are Just the Tip of the Iceberg continued from page 1

current laws and must uphold the constitutional rights of individuals. We must conduct investigations according to procedures, and stepping outside of those bounds only prevents us from holding abusers accountable. If we bend the rules or act outside of the law, the case will never hold up in court.”

education—explaining what needs to be done for the welfare of the animals to comply with the law and then returning after a period of time to ensure changes have been made.

have to believe in people that they truly want to do the right thing. It is never my intent to take someone’s pet from them, but if it’s the best option for that animal, then action must be taken.”

“People will leave their pets outside in the rain with no shelter,” says Officer Our community needs to work Ploof, “or think it’s okay to not feed together to hold those who hurt them for a few days because they ran animals accountable for their actions Most reports of animal cruelty or out of food.” Many pet owners are and to get abused pets the care they neglect come through our Animal not aware of the laws within New deserve. From witnesses reporting Cruelty Hotline at (585) 223-6500, York State that protect animals. When suspected cruelty, to law enforcement but cases are also referred from informed of the steps they need to Kiwi officers investigating crimes, to municipal and state police agencies take many people clearly are learning shelters and rescue groups providing as well. something new. Ploof explains, loving care, to prosecutors seeking Stories of unwanted, orto “They’ll say, ‘It didn’tabused, even occur justice, to families opening their hearts The majority of the complaints me.’ Other times, it’s a little more of and homes, to donors who support homeless pets who found hope involve dogs and cats, but farm a struggle.” animal cruelty investigation efforts, weGinger animals (especially horses) also makein the halls of Lollypop Farm. ALL play a critical role in helping pets up a large portion. Many situations “In most cases you can tell pet owners in need. l can be resolved simply through do love their animals” says Ploof. “You th

Tails of Hope

Tails of Hope • See inspirational Tails of Hope—stories of pets who overcame the odds. Stories ofof unwanted, abused, or Kiwi Tails of Hope • LearnTails about the meaningful programs thatHope help people and petsKiwi

Cast out when our owner passed away...

SATURDAY

3:00 TO

M MARCH NDM

Your gift makes a difference to homeless and abused pets in our community. YourP Canandaigua National Bank • Hartman Consulting • Invisible Fence • Kronenberger Manufacturing • Erie Insurance Questions? (585) 223-1330 x241 to ho

Boomtowne Canine Campus • First Niagara • Soyboy Organic Tofu • CMI Communications DONATE! www.lollypop.org/telethon2013 Luminaria Photography • Regional Distributors • Petco Foundation

or info@lollypop.org

Mason Company • Zaretsky & Associates, Inc • Petsmart • Matthew Roberts of Waddell & Reed Camp Bow Wow • Harris, Chesworth, O’Brien, Johnstone & Welch • Monroe Industries Council Rock Wealth Advisory Group • Fairport Savings Bank • Med-Scribe, Inc. • Doyle Security

MARCH 2ND

DONATE! www.lollypop.org/telethon2013

www.lollypop.org/telethon2013

DONATE! www.lollypop.org/telethon2013

3:00 - 9:00 P.M.

2013

2 2 2013

Tune in to hear our Tail of Hope.

MARCH ND

homeless pets who found hope in our community. 9:00 P.M. Stories of unwanted, abused,abused, or Stories of unwanted, or in theadoptable halls of Lollypop Farm. • Meet homeless loveable, animals. pets who found hope homeless pets who found hope Ginger in the halls of Lollypop Farm. WITH SUPPORT FROM: Don’t miss the 17th annual Telethon celebrating our Tune In & in the halls of Lollypop Farm. Live From Don’t On miss 17thin annual Telethon celebrating our work on behalf of the animals Greater Rochester and Pledge Your SA th Don’t miss Telethon celebrating our your opportunity to17helpannual thoseinefforts! SATURDAY work on the behalf ofcontinue animals Greater Rochester and Support. work on behalf of animals th in Greater Rochester and Don’t miss the 17 annual Telethon celebrating opportunity tocontinue help continue those efforts! our • your Syour ee inspirational Tails Hope—stories of pets who SA opportunity to of help those efforts! Your giftand makes a difference work on overcame the behalf odds. of animals in Greater Rochester ••See inspirational Tails ofTails Hope—stories of pets who of overcame the odds. See inspirational Hope—stories pets who overcame to homelesstheandodds. abused pets your opportunity toofprograms help continue those efforts! • Learn about the meaningful that help people •and Learn about the meaningful programs that help people and pets in our community. •inLearn the meaningful programs that help people and pets 3:00 TO pets inabout our community. our community. • in See inspirational Tails of Hope—stories of pets who overcame the odds. 9:00 P.M. our community. Questions? (585) 223-1330 x241 • • Meet adoptable animals. Meetloveable, loveable, adoptable animals. Learn loveable, about theadoptable meaningful programs that help people and petsor info@lollypop.org www.lollypop.org/telethon2013 ••DONATE! Meet animals. WITH SUPPORT FROM: Tune In & in our community. Live From On WITH SUPPORT FROM: Pledge Your T Live From loveable, On adoptable animals. • Meet Support. P WITH SUPPORT FROM: Live From

Our names are Taurus & Macho.

SATURDAY

2013

Don’t miss the 17 annual Telethon celebrating our work on behalf of animals in Greater Rochester and your opportunity to help continue those efforts! Kiwi

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