CCHS COVID-19 FAQ Sheet

 Please note: The CCHS Adoption Center is not open for visitors unless they have an appointment. Please call 665-2209 with any questions, concerns, if you have donations, or need assistance. Thank you for your patience.

COVID-19 has changed the day to day lives of nearly every person in America. At the Chautauqua County Humane Society (CCHS) we have been implementing frequent changes as a result of the pandemic. The most effective way to answer the questions you have on what has changed is through our updated FAQs below. If you have further questions, please message us through the Chautauqua County Humane Society Facebook Page or email bpapalia@chqhumane.org.

Low-Cost Spay/Neuter Clinic

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, our low cost surgery capacity is reduced from what it had been prior to the pandemic and we are able to perform surgery on cats only – not dogs -- at this time.  We have a safe, new drop-off and pick-up procedure for your pets and we are now able to send and receive all paperwork electronically to cut down on the number of high-touch surfaces and make the process flow more smoothly. Click here to find the spay/neuter clinic form to begin the process. If you do not have access to the internet, please leave your contact information at 665-2209 x205 and we will call you to schedule.  We appreciate your patience and encourage you to contact your regular veterinarian for all of your pet’s medical needs.  CCHS does not have a veterinarian on staff and therefore is not in a position to provide regular veterinary care for pets.

Animal Care

Animal Care at CCHS continues as usual. There have been changes made to the staff schedule to separate employees as much as possible and social distancing is in practice to help lower the chances of introduction of COVID-19 to our facility. All shelter pets are being cared for, walked, socialized, and loved. The well-being of all of the animals in our care is always our top priority.

Animal Population and Intake

Thank you to everyone who has adopted and fostered to help us keep the animal population at the Adoption Center as low as is reasonable throughout the pandemic and as we get our feet under us as the COVID-related restrictions begin to ease.

We continue to take in animals who were in emergency situations and ask that our community continues to assist with animals in need who are not emergencies. We will provide food and other supplies to help make this happen. Please call 665-2209 to see how we can work together to care for animals who need help.

If your pet is having medical issues please contact a veterinarian. We do not have a veterinarian on staff at CCHS. We continue to perform end of life services to pet owners when needed to prevent suffering. Call 665-2209 x200 for an appointment.

Throughout the pandemic we have continued taking in stray dogs that are brought to us by police and contracted Animal Control Officers and have been working as always to get them back with their families.

Adoptions

CCHS continues to do dog adoptions by appointment.  Appointments are avialable, but not required for cat adoptions. The shelter will open to to meet cats during the following hours:

Monday 1pm - 5:30pm

Tuesday 10am - 5:30pm

Wednesday 1pm - 5:30pm

Friday 1pm - 5:30pm

Saturday 11am - 3:00pm

Please note that properly fitting masks are required in the building at all times and COVID Guidelines will be strictly enforced for your safety and ours. Adoptions appointments are scheduled in one-hour blocks. This allows time to go through the standard adoption process as well as sanitize the facilities following the appointment. All staff that is in contact with the public is required to wear a mask, as is any potential adopter.

Volunteer Program

We ask our volunteers to follow the guidelines set forth by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to stay home and stay safe.

Pet Food Pantry

The CCHS Pet Pantry is available to area residents. Please call 665-2209 to make an appointment if you need food. The Salvation Army of Jamestown, in conjunction with CCHS, is also offering pet food to their clients. Learn more at the Pet Pantry web page. We appreciate donations of pet food, treats, and cat litter to help keep loved animals in their homes during this time when finances are especially tight.

2nd Chances Thrift Store

2nd Chances Thrift Store is now open Wednesday through Saturday 10am-6pm. Drop off times for donations are 10am-4pm Thursday through Saturday. If you have a large donation or any questions at all, please call the thrift store at 664-4504. Like and follow the 2nd Chances Thrift Store Facebook page for more updates.

Important Resources Regarding Pets and COVID-19

Click here for an in-depth article from the Humane Society of the United States regarding everything from pet safety to emergency preparedness during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

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Changing Lives Together - Animal Ally Business Class

We are excited to announce the new Animal Ally/Business Class program.  Chautauqua County Humane Society (CCHS) Director of Community Relations Brian Papalia said, " With this program we will promote local businesses through digital and traditional marketing which will create new foot traffic for them and at the same time create new and enhanced opportunities for not only the pets at CCHS, but those pets out in our community that need a little help to stay in their homes.  2020 has been rough enough on people.  We don't want folks in a situation where they may also have to forfeit their pet due to temporary circumstances forced on them by the effect COVID is having on our local economy.". 

Once a business becomes an Animal Ally,  they will receive a stylish window cling to proudly display that you are a part of a team that is working hard to change the lives of so many pets each day.  They will also receive quarterly updates by mail that will allow them to share their efforts with clients and customers showcasing the difference that they are making in Chautauqua County.  Papalia said, "Everyone loves to support a business that goes above and beyond to not only serve the client base, but also create a happier, healthier community.  This is a very unique way to make to help all of Chautauqua County.  Whether it's through spay/neuter services to help control the pet population, or in the work of connecting people with homeless pets." 

As this is an annual program there is a limited window of time to sign up.   To receive a 10% off Early Bird special please submit your online or mailed in submission by 11/20/20.  We kindly ask for all participants to respond by 12/1/20.   Click here for join the Animal Ally/Business Class program online. 

  If you have questions please contact Brian Papalia at  716-665-2209 x213 or email bpapalia@chqhumane.org.  

See more about the program below (Click here for the downloadable PDF file):

CCHS Announces Working Cat Hero Program

Is your workspace under siege by pesky rodents? Maybe it’s time you adopted a Working Cat Hero!  

The Chautauqua County Humane Society’s (CCHS) Working Cat Heroes Program puts the spotlight on a special brand of cat. These ambitious felines have more interest in running free in your barn, brewery, warehouse, workshop, winery, shed, or garage, than they do sitting in your lap.  A Working Cat Hero prides herself on having the job of targeting and eliminating unwanted intruders like mice. Think of Working Cat Heroes as ecologically-friendly hired help.

If you might be interested in bringing a Working Cat Hero on board, know that all animals who leave CCHS have been spayed or neutered, are up to date on their vaccinations, are microchipped, and have had a dose of flea treatment. Working Cat Heroes will also be ear-tipped, a sign that they have been spayed or neutered.

Cats who are in the Working Cat Hero Program wouldn't be happy living in your home. These cats are better suited for indoor/outdoor living and usually prefer less interaction with people. This program is only for cats that are not suitable to be indoor house pets.

Whether living in your stable, greenhouse, distillery, or other location, your Working Cat Hero will know that he has a warm, dry, and safe place to sleep, access to fresh food and water, and medical care when needed. We generally prefer adopting Working Cat Heroes in sets of at least two or three and there is no adoption fee to be paid when you adopt a Working Cat Hero although donations are always appreciated.

This program is a lifesaver for a number of cats who come to CCHS each year who need a different type of placement. Maybe they don’t reliably use the litter box, are uncomfortable in an enclosed space, or really aren’t all that fond of people. However, we do get reports from working cat adopters that their Hero kitty has gotten friendlier over time.

Those who adopt the barn cats agree to give them:

• Shelter in barns, stables, or other buildings

• Daily food and water -- cats cannot live on mousing alone

• Long-term veterinary care, as needed 

• A secure place to keep them for the first 2-3 weeks while they acclimate to the new environment. This  can be a tack room or any secure indoor enclosure from which the cats cannot escape. CCHS will lend you an introduction cage if no secure area is available.

• If you are adopting a Working Cat Hero during the months of October through April, you will need to provide a heated area for them to sleep in until the cold months are over. The next winter the cat will grow a winter coat and will not require a heat source, although they always appreciate one. If you adopt a Working Cat Hero during the spring/summer/early fall, your cat will naturally grow a heavy winter coat as the cold weather approaches.

Not every cat is destined to be a lap cat. Working Cat Heroes prefer having a job and targeting pesky rodents. Think of them as ecologically-friendly hired help!

If you are thinking about bringing a Working Cat Hero to your barn, distillery, workshop, or warehouse, know that all animals that leave the Chautauqua County Humane Society have been spayed/neutered, are up to date on their vaccinations, are microchipped, and have had a dose of flea treatment. They will also be ear-tipped, a sign that they have been spayed/neutered.

Cats who are in the Working Cat Hero Program wouldn't be happy living in your home. These cats have histories and temperaments that are a better fit for indoor/outdoor living and less interaction with people. 

Whether living in your stable, winery, shed, garage, or other location, your Working Cat Hero will know that he has a warm, dry, and safe place to sleep, access to fresh food and water, and medical care, if needed. We generally prefer adopting Working Cat Heroes in sets of two or three.

This program is a life-saver for a number of cats who come to CCHS each year who need a different type of placement. Maybe they don’t reliably use the litter box, are uncomfortable in an enclosed space, or really aren’t all that fond of people. However, we do get reports from working cat adopters that their Hero kitty has gotten friendlier over time.

If you have a help wanted sign out for a Working Cat Hero, look no further than the CCHS Working Cat Hero Program.