Local Photographer Cathy Panebianco Helps Animals at CCHS With New Book

Local photographer Cathy Panebianco’s book, Holding Time, will be available for presale beginning Monday, January 17th at https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/holdingtime/holding-time. The 30-day presale will be an opportunity to purchase the book in advance of publication and purchase special, presale-only rewards, including the opportunity to have your family and your pet photographed by Cathy. Cathy has been a long-time supporter of CCHS as past president of the Board of Directors and as a volunteer by photographing the adoptable dogs to help them find their forever families. Cathy will donate 50% of her proceeds from Holding Time to the Chautauqua County Humane Society and Infinity Visual & Performing Arts. 

Holding Time is a love story about family. By using her dad’s Kodak slides taken in the 1950s and 60s and physically holding them in her home and around Jamestown, Cathy literally melded her past with her present. This might be her family’s story, but it’s really every family’s story. Consider purchasing Holding Time during this special presale and help give back to the Chautauqua County Humane Society and Infinity Visual & Performing Arts. 

Support For Wonder At CCHS

Wonder is looking for your help during this Season of Hope. Wonder is a three-year-old Siberian Husky mix who came to the Chautauqua County Humane Society as a Stray on September 24th, 2021. He was underweight and nearly blind from a condition called Uveodermatologic syndrome.  This syndrome causes issues with highly pigmented cells found in the eyes and skin. In Wonder’s case he had blood build up in his eyes to the point of blindness. With treatment his vision is getting better and with a proper diet, he is getting back to a healthy weight, and his nose is getting some cute black dots where pigmentation is coming in. We need your help to ensure his progress. Watch the video with CCHS K9 Activity Specialist Danny Reynolds and Veterinary Technician Molly Loomis to see why you will feel compelled to support this wonderful boy.

STATE AGRICULTURE DEPARTMENT CONFIRMS CASE OF RABBIT HEMORRHAGIC DISEASE VIRUS 2 IN NEW YORK

STATE AGRICULTURE DEPARTMENT CONFIRMS CASE OF RABBIT HEMORRHAGIC DISEASE VIRUS 2 IN NEW YORK

Reminds Rabbit Owners to Practice Proper Health and Sanitary Measures to Prevent Disease

The New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets has confirmed a case of Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease Virus 2 (RHDV2) in a domestic rabbit in Montgomery County. RHDV2 is a highly contagious and fatal disease of domestic and wild rabbits that was first found in the United States in 2018. The investigation is ongoing to determine the source of the virus in this case. RHDV2 does not affect humans or other animals.

While this is case is an isolated incident and limited to one household, rabbit owners are being encouraged to ensure proper health and sanitary measures to prevent the disease by taking simple steps to reduce the chance of RHDV2 affecting rabbits.

The following best practices are recommended:

• Do not allow pet or wild rabbits to have contact with your rabbits or gain entry to the facility or home.
• Do not allow visitors in rabbitries or let them handle pet rabbits without protective clothing (including coveralls, shoe covers, hair covering, and gloves).
• Always wash hands with warm soapy water before entering your rabbit area, after removing protective clothing and before leaving the rabbit area.
• Do not introduce new rabbits from unknown or untrusted sources. Do not add rabbits to your rabbitry from animal shelters or other types of rescue operations.
• If you bring outside rabbits into your facility or home, keep them separated from your existing rabbits for at least 30 days. Use separate equipment for newly acquired or sick rabbits to avoid spreading disease.
• Sanitize all equipment and cages moved on or off premises before they are returned to the rabbitry.
• Establish a working relationship with a veterinarian to review biosecurity practices.

More information on biosecurity and measures to prevent the spread of this disease can be found here.

Owners can also speak with their veterinarians about the potential use of a new vaccine for RHDV2, which was recently granted emergency use authorization by the USDA. Interested rabbit owners should contact their veterinarian for information on how to get their animals vaccinated. 

Signs of RHDV2 in rabbits may include fever, lethargy, hemorrhage, seizures, and sudden death. Rabbits typically show signs one to three days after being infected. The virus can survive in the environment for weeks or longer and it can be spread through feed, bedding, equipment, and other contaminated materials such as shoes and clothing. 

This is the second occurrence of RHDV2 in New York. The first cluster of cases was in New York City in March 2020. The virus was quickly identified, isolated and eradicated.

RHDV2 is a reportable disease in New York. Sick or dead domestic rabbits should be reported to the State Veterinarian’s office at 518-457-3502 or to the USDA at 866-536-7593. Multiple wild rabbits found dead or wild rabbits with blood-stained noses should be reported to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation’s Wildlife Health Unit at 518-478-2203. Wild rabbits found dead on the road do not need to be reported.

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2nd Chances Thrift Store Holiday Hours

The CCHS’s 2^nd Chances Thrift Store, 707 Fairmount Avenue in Jamestown will have special holiday hours the weeks of December 20th and 27th. The store will be open from 10am to 6pm Monday through Thursday during each of those weeks. 2^nd Chances Manager Larry Spontaneo invites everyone to stop in, “We have so many great items for you to choose from. We have everything from kids toys to collectibles, furniture, home goods, tons of holiday items, and like new brand name clothing.

2^nd Chances will be accepting donations from 10am to 4pm Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday during the weeks of December 20^th and 27^th. Larry said, “We want to wish our customers a Merry Christmas and Happy Holiday season. Your support of 2^nd Chances Thrift Store is critical to the services provided to the homeless animals of our community by the Chautauqua County Humane Society.”

CCHS And Prendergast Library Team Up For Pet Food Give Away

CCHS To Receive Grant From Petco Love

Chautauqua County Humane Society to be Surprised with Petco Love Stories Grant During Local Celebration on December 17th
Chautauqua County pet adopter’s story earns lifesaving grant award for CCHS

A Jamestown, NY pet adopter’s heartwarming story about how her adopted dog has changed her life has earned the Chautauqua County Humane Society a lifesaving grant award from Petco Love. National nonprofit Petco Love, in partnership with BOBS from Skechers, invited adopters to share how their pet has changed their life to give the organization they adopted from a chance to receive a lifesaving grant in the Petco Love Stories campaign. Sarah Winton’s story was selected as one of 100 national winners from thousands of submissions to help CCHS earn a grant from Petco Love. 

In a special celebration to be held at 10am, Friday December 17th at the Petco located at 1960 Edinboro Road, Erie, PA, Petco Love will surprise CCHS with a grant award ranging from $1,000 to $100,000. The adopter , Sarah Winton, will also receive BOBS from Skechers shoes and a Petco shopping spree to spoil their beloved pet.  "These powerful Love Stories reflect the importance of pets in our lives. Whether the best or worst of times, the love of pets can change everything,” said Petco Love President, Susanne Kogut. "Reading these touching tales strengthens our resolve to create a world where every shelter pet finds a loving family, and no pet is unnecessarily euthanized. This year, we are proud to award more than $1 million to further empower lifesaving organizations, like the Chautauqua County Humane Society, that work tirelessly to save pet lives." “The funds from this Petco Love grant will be instrumental in helping the Chautauqua County Humane Society to continue our mission to improve and save lives through compassionate care, advocacy for animals, and commitment to the community,” said Kellie Roberts, Executive Director at The Chautauqua County Humane Society.

Sarah Winton adopted her dog Chloe from CCHS in January of 2014 after she was returned to the shelter for behavior reasons. Now Chloe has changed Sarah’s life by being her companion as she battles Multiple Sclerosis.

Vote For CCHS Volunteer Sara Winton To Help CCHS Win A Special Petco Love Grant

Click Here To Vote

Petco Love Stories celebrates the LOVE shared with our pets. This holiday season, they are celebrating 100 amazing stories by surprising animal welfare organizations across the country with $1 million in grant awards!  One of those stories comes from Chautauqua County Humane Society Voluntter Sarah Winton and her dog Chloe. You can vote for Sarah and Chloe to help the Chautauqua County Humane Society earn even more lifesaving funds! Follow along on social media @Petco Love to see the surprise grants as they happen.

Vote for Sarah's story through December 15, 2021 at noon CST. This will give the top five vote-getters the chance to receive additional grant funding of up to $25,000!  Here is Sarah's Story: