Bark N' Brew A Success

JAMESTOWN, N.Y. (July 11, 2014) – The fifth annual Bark N’ Brew charity fundraiser to benefit the Chautauqua County Humane Society was held on June 18 at Southern Tier Brewing Company. The event raised over $16,400 for the animals awaiting adoption at CCHS. Money collected allows the shelter to offer fee-waived adoption programs, spay/neuter procedures and other adoption services year-round to the community.

“Bark N’ Brew has gotten bigger and bigger each year and we’re so thankful that Southern Tier Brewing Company has been willing to work with us,” said Edwin Rodriguez Jr., community relations director for CCHS. “This is a highly anticipated event. We sell a limited number of tickets and end up creating a waiting list as the event approaches,” said Rodriguez. The best way to get alerts for future Bark N’ Brew events is to visit the shelter’s website and join their email newsletter list. Regular updates on shelter news and events are also available this way.

“The Bark N Brew is a wonderful event, truly enjoyed by all,” said Sara DeMink, vice president of Southern Tier Brewing Company. “We are pleased we are able to contribute to the success of this event and the CCHS organization and thankful for the generosity of the community and those attending,” said DeMink. Southern Tier Brewing Company is the host for the event with other major contributors including AMP’d Up Karaoke, Ludwig Auctions, Pepsi Bottling Group of Jamestown, Jefferson Middle School, Nestle Purina, Lake Erie Speedway and the five stations of Media One Group.

Over 100 donors from the community made the live and ticket auctions a success. Some of the featured items included golf passes, Harley Davidson merchandise, paintings, fire department spaghetti dinner and autographed sports memorabilia including an autographed poster from Olympic Silver Medalist Gus Kenworthy. Kenworthy made news after the Olympics for adopting a handful of dogs from Sochi, Russia, amidst a media whirlwind. Jamestown Cycle Shop also raffled off a Trek mountain bike with a helmet and computerized bike fitting at the event.

Barkstrom Acupuncture Donation

Pennies 4 Paws 2014 Final Numbers

JAMESTOWN, N.Y. (June 25, 2014) – The Chautauqua County Humane Society released a final total for the 2014 Pennies 4 Paws campaign. The community, local businesses and the five radio stations of Media One Group helped raise $28,863.19 for the shelter’s on-going animal rehabilitation programs. This is the ninth year the P4P campaign has been active.

The P4P campaign began on February 12 and ran through the end of April. P4P donations are accepted year-round.

“We were very pleased with the outcome of this year’s fundraising totals,” said Edwin Rodriguez Jr., community relations director for CCHS. “Jamestown Savings Bank, SKF, Jamestown Savings Bank Ice Arena, Harley-Davidson of Jamestown and six local schools were champions this year by holding their own special events with proceeds to benefit the shelter,” said Rodriguez. Aside from special events, hundreds of individuals came to the shelter and the Second Chances Thrift Stores to deliver loose change they had been saving for the animals. Over 100 specially marked P4P containers and memorial paw prints could be found at local business and organizations throughout the community during the campaign.

“Our great radio stations are proud to have helped educate listeners on the importance of the Humane Society in our community and are thrilled with the outcome of this annual fundraising campaign,” said Andrew Hill, director of operations and programming with Media One Group. The radio stations have supported P4P from the beginning and gave CCHS staff the opportunity to discuss the program on-air with several of their radio personalities.

For more information on the Chautauqua County Humane Society or to sign up to host a Pennies 4 Paws container, visit www.spcapets.com or call 716-665-2209 ext. 213.

The mission of the Chautauqua County Humane Society is to promote the adoption of animals, prevent all forms of animal cruelty and neglect, shelter lost, abandoned and homeless animals, and to provide education about the humane treatment of animals.

Open Up Your Heart To A Senior Pet

At the Chautauqua County Humane Society, we work hard every day to find loving, forever homes for the pets in our care. Some of the pets we receive are “senior” pets. Many times we hear potential adopters say that they don’t want to adopt a pet that is old because they might not have them for long. We really do understand this feeling. It is hard to fall in love with a pet and bring them into your home knowing that your time with them is short. We know that this requires someone special that wants to make the last years of a pets life wonderful and feel the love right until the end.

That is what CCHS is looking for right now, special people that see the value in an older pet and are willing to let them into their heart and their home no matter how long that might be. We currently have many senior pets at the shelter just waiting for a 2^nd chance to give and receive love.  Won’t you be a hero to and senior cat or dog? Stop by and meet some of these wonderful pets and let yourself fall in love.

To make it easier to bring a senior pet into your home, we are waiving the fees for all senior pet adoptions for the month of April. We promise that the love you get in return will be worth it.

Fix-A-Bull Program Extended Through 2014

JAMESTOWN, N.Y. (March 11, 2013) – Another no-cost spay/neuter clinic is available at the Chautauqua County Humane Society for Pit Bulls and Pit Bull mixed breed dogs in Dunkirk, Fredonia and Jamestown. The program has been extended from the previous year and is made possible by a grant from PetSmart Charities. CCHS officials are encouraging these dog owners to make their appointments before the approaching June deadline.

Pit Bull and Pit Bull mixed breed dog owners have until June 15 to schedule their dog for a no-cost spay/neuter service. Appointment times vary at the 2825 Strunk Road location but are generally scheduled on Wednesdays.

“Last year’s program was only available to residents in Jamestown,” said Sue Bobek, Humane Outreach Coordinator for CCHS. “This year, we’re able to provide free spay/neuter services in Dunkirk and Fredonia due to the high number of Pit Bulls and Pit Bull mixed breed dogs in the north county,” said Bobek. Unlike the other low-income spay/neuter clinics offered at the shelter, the Pit Bull and Pit Bull mixed breed dog clinic does not have an income based requirement. Any legal resident living within the 14048, 14063 and 14701 zip codes can apply and schedule an appointment.

Established in 1994, PetSmart Charities, Inc. is an independent, nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that creates and supports programs that save the lives of homeless pets, raise awareness of companion animal welfare issues and promote healthy relationships between people and pets. The largest funder of animal-welfare efforts in North America, PetSmart Charities has provided more than $165 million in grants and programs benefiting animal-welfare organizations and has helped save the lives of more than 5 million pets through its in-store adoption program.

“We are also including a free microchip with each spay/neuter appointment,” said Bobek. “If your pet gets loose or runs away, a microchip is one of the latest and greatest technologies to help reconnect you with your lost animal,” she said.

For more information on the Chautauqua County Humane Society or to schedule an appointment for your Pit Bull or Pit Bull mixed breed dog, visit www.spcapets.com or call 716-665-2209 ext. 205.

The mission of the Chautauqua County Humane Society is to promote the adoption of animals, prevent all forms of animal cruelty and neglect, shelter lost, abandoned and homeless animals, and to provide education about the humane treatment of animals.

Pennies 4 Paws Begins February 12

JAMESTOWN, N.Y. (February 7, 2014) – The Chautauqua County Humane Society has announced that the ninth annual Pennies 4 Paws campaign will begin this month. This year’s campaign benefits all of the animal rehabilitation services available at the shelter and will strengthen the CCHS adoption process throughout the community.

Pennies 4 Paws kicks off on February 12 and runs through the end of April. Various collection drives and fundraising events will take place throughout the county during that time.

“All of the animals that enter our facility are in need of something. It could be a home; it could be some food; it could be a life-saving surgery; but one thing is certain, they all deserve a second chance,” said Edwin Rodriguez Jr., Community Relations Director for CCHS. “These services can be costly and we know that we cannot ask these animals for a penny. This is why we ask our community to help us collect the pennies and their support enables us to continue our work,” said Rodriguez.

CCHS has seen a growing number of special needs cases where medication, surgery or training has been required to save a pets life. Over the past decade, however, a strong focus on spay/neuter and adoption services has allowed the shelter to concentrate on the rehabilitation needs of each animal. Today, CCHS has a 97% save rate with animal outcomes compared to a mere 50% just a decade ago. This turnaround was partially thanks to funding from Pennies 4 Paws and other fundraising initiatives.

The Pennies 4 Paws program follows the slogan that “every penny counts.” CCHS hopes to collect 17 million pennies, or $17,000, by April of this year. Sponsored by Media One Group, the Pennies 4 Paws campaign provides flexibility for schools, social organizations and businesses to fundraise in a variety of ways. Although pennies are the most common donation, any type of monetary contribution and fundraising during this time can help. Contributions are traditionally made through bake sales, school Hat Days, pop bottle/can drives and other special events. Collection containers are available through CCHS if they are needed by any fundraising group.

“If there are any businesses or organizations that would like to fundraise but do not know where to start, we have plenty of ideas to get them going,” said Rodriguez. Aside from being one of the shelter’s flagship fundraisers, the Pennies 4 Paws campaign is a great team building event for groups needing to fulfill a community service requirement.

For more information on the Chautauqua County Humane Society or to sign up to host a Pennies 4 Paws container, visit www.spcapets.com or call 716-665-2209 ext. 213.

The mission of the Chautauqua County Humane Society is to promote the adoption of animals, prevent all forms of animal cruelty and neglect, shelter lost, abandoned and homeless animals, and to provide education about the humane treatment of animals.

Unleash The Love Pit Bull Adoption Special

JAMESTOWN, N.Y. (February 5, 2014) – The Chautauqua County Humane Society is waiving the adoption fee on all of their Pit Bulls and Pit Bull mixes during the “Unleash the Love” adoption special the week leading up to Valentine’s Day. There are several Pit Bulls and Pit Bull mixes at the shelter awaiting adoption and CCHS encourages potential adopters to visit the shelter in hopes of finding each dog a permanent home.

The “Unleash the Love” adoption special will run from February 10-15. Normal adoption procedures and shelter business hours remain in effect.

“Despite their negative stigma, Pit Bulls are just like any other dogs,” said Sue Bobek, Humane Outreach Coordinator for CCHS. “With the right amount of training and love, they can be a perfect addition to your family,” she said. During the early part of the 1900s, Pit Bulls were one of the most popular dogs in the United States. Due to unrestricted breeding in the community, CCHS takes in dozens of Pit Bulls each year.

Recently, CCHS implemented a new Dog Play Group rehabilitation program that has been extremely effective with dog adoptions, especially with Pit Bulls. Dogs are pack animals; they naturally like being with other dogs and thrive with dog-dog socializing. The play groups allow 3-5 dogs to interact together with little human interference during playtime. This reduces each dog’s stress levels and allows their true personality to come out.

“When potential adopters would visit the shelter in the past, the dogs would get so excited to see new people that they would jump, pull, bark or display other unattractive behaviors,” said Bobek. “Now that the dogs are given time to burn off that extra energy, they behave better and in turn become more adoptable,” she said. All dogs adopted from CCHS are spayed/neutered, microchipped and have received age-appropriate vaccinations.

For more information on the Chautauqua County Humane Society or to learn more about volunteer opportunities with our Dog Play Groups, visit www.spcapets.com or call 716-665-2209 ext. 205.

The mission of the Chautauqua County Humane Society is to promote the adoption of animals, prevent all forms of animal cruelty and neglect, shelter lost, abandoned and homeless animals, and to provide education about the humane treatment of animals.

Real Estate Advantage and Wells Fargo Donate to CCHS

Article Contributed by Real Estate Advantage

CCHS Pet Photo Contest Has Begun

JAMESTOWN, N.Y. (December 30, 2013) – The Hot Dogs Cool Cats Pet Photo Contest is coming in January with proceeds to benefit the Chautauqua County Humane Society. Individuals from the community are encouraged to upload a photo and story of their favorite pet for online visitors to vote on. All proceeds from the photo contest benefit CCHS to go toward animal care at the shelter.

The Hot Dogs Cool Cats Pet Photo Contest, sponsored by Media One Group, begins at midnight on New Year’s Day and ends on January 31 at 10 p.m. EST. There is no fee to enter a pet.

“We have had a couple high profile incidents come to CCHS in the past month,” said Edwin Rodriguez Jr., Community Relations Director for CCHS. “It is a nice change of pace to have a fun competition that highlights one of the greatest things we support – the memories our pets share with us,” he said. Family and friends of the entrants are encouraged to vote but the community is also invited to visit the contest page and participate. Votes are $1.00 each and the money collected through the competition goes to the animal shelter.

The highest rated pet at the end of the competition will be named CCHS Pet of the Year and have the highlight photo on the Media One Group pet photo calendar printed in the spring. The winning pet’s owner also receives a 47-inch flat screen television and a single-pet photo session with Panebianco Photography which includes a 16”x20” canvas photo print. The second and third place pets receive a designer pet bed and gift card for PetSmart in Lakewood, NY. All of the top 12 pets are featured on the calendar to represent the 12 months out of a year.

“Contrary to what the name suggests, the contest is not only open to cats and dogs. It isn’t only open to Chautauqua County either,” said Rodriguez. “Any pet from any town can enter. The voters decide which pet will win. The more compelling the story, the better,” he said.

For more information on the Chautauqua County Humane Society or to sign up for the Hot Dogs Cool Cats Pet Photo Contest, visit www.spcapets.com or call 716-665-2209 ext. 213.

The mission of the Chautauqua County Humane Society is to promote the adoption of animals, prevent all forms of animal cruelty and neglect, shelter lost, abandoned and homeless animals, and to provide education about the humane treatment of animals.

Second Chances Thrift Store Break In

At some point between the close of business on Friday, December 20, and the open of business on Saturday, December 21, our Second Chances Thrift Store location on Fairmount Avenue had a break in. The individual(s) responsible stole that day's total receipts/cash. This couldn't have come at a worse time for our shelter.

As you know, all proceeds from our Second Chances Thrift Store locations go to benefit CCHS and help us keep the lights on for the animals year-round. Money and resources are especially tight during the winter months as hundreds of animals need to be sheltered from the cold. This is a devastating loss for us. We're asking the community to assist us to help spread the word in hopes that someone with information will come forward.

Anyone with information leading to the capture of those responsible are asked to call the Town of Ellicott Police Department at 716-665-7083. Thank you for your help and continued support of our mission.

Any direct questions regarding this issue can call our Executive Director, Jeff Lubi, at 665-2209 ext 202