2023 Pennies 4 Paws Campaign Is A Major Success

JAMESTOWN, N.Y. (May 25, 2023) The pennies have been tallied and the Chautauqua County Humane Society (CCHS) is proud to announce that we reached our Pennies 4 Paws goal of 2 million pennies ($20,000) and exceeded it! The final tally for the 2023 campaign is 2,560,300 pennies ($25,603). CCHS Director of Fundraising and Communications Brian Papalia said, “We are so grateful to the community for stepping up to help the animals that rely on our services. We especially want to thank The Chautauqua Lake Fishing Association ($1,650), Sarah McKernan’s Daycare ($930), Lakewood Apothecary  ($498), and Katherine Beaver’s 6^th Grade Class at Randolph Elementary for supporting pennies. This funding is critical to the work done to help the animals of our county as we receive no government funding of any kind. We encourage folks to learn more with a visit to Chqhumane.org or better yet visit us at 2825 Strunk Road in Jamestown.”

It was a community effort that made Pennies 4 Paws such a success, “We had wonderful donors create a matching fund for parts of the campaign, Media support from Media One Group Radio, WNY News Now, and The Post Journal, and sponsorship support from Happy Hounds Hotel and Day Spa, The Shults Auto Group, and Chautauqua Mall.”

The Chautauqua County Humane Society is a 501c3 not for profit organization serving Chautauqua County since 1905. CCHS’s mission is “To improve and save lives through compassionate care, advocacy for animals and commitment to the community.”  

CCHS Announces 2023 Rescue Run Medal Winners

We are so thankful to the runners that braved the rain to take part in the Rescue Run 5K that happened this past Saturday at the Chautauqua County Humane Society. Our medal winners included:

Overall Best Time: Brady Abdo (Shinglehouse, PA) Time: 19.19.4

Overall Best Time: Evalyn Abdo (Shinglehouse, PA) Time: 24.58.9

First (18 and under): Atreyu Laska (Frewsburg, NY) Time: 30.51.5

First (18 and under): Sadie Chase (Youngsville, PA) Time: 37.00.7

First (19-35): Jonathan Young (Jamestown, NY) Time: 19:26.0

First (19-35): Susie Austin (Olean, NY) Time: 26.52.0

First (36-50): Jeffrey Laska (Frewsburg, NY) Time: 23.11.4

First (36-50): Alivia Laska (Frewsburg, NY) Time: 25.01.08

First (51-64): Peter Pillittieri (Jamestown, NY) Time : 39.55.3

First (51-64): Cindy Steele (Falconer, NY) Time: 27.24.6

First (65 and over) Richard Brotz (Cheektowaga, NY) Time: 23:54:5

First (65 and over) Mac MacKenzie (Jamestown, NY) Time: 34.31.1

Also a big shout out to our presenting sponsor Happy Hounds Hotel and Day Spa as well as Media One Group Radio, Shults Auto Group, WNY News Now, and the Chautauqua Mall. 

28 Animals Go Home Through The Bissell Pet Foundations Empty The Shelters

CCHS Adopts 28 Pets During BISSELL Pet Foundation’s Record-Setting “Empty the Shelters”

The country’s largest funded adoption event found homes for nearly 18,000 shelter pets

Jamestown, NY. 6/1/2023— Chautauqua County Humane Society announces 28 adoptions during its participation in BISSELL Pet Foundation’s Spring National “Empty the Shelters event. From May 1 - 15, a total of 17,792 pets were adopted from 364 shelters in 45 states. The Foundation partnered with Dogtopia, the nation’s largest and fastest-growing pet services franchise, to make this event possible in more shelters than ever before.

CCHS participated from May 5^th through May 15^th and offered fee waived adoptions for pet adoptions including dogs, cats, puppies, and kittens and small critters.

“Empty the Shelters” is BISSELL Pet Foundation’s largest initiative and continues to grow each year to provide critical relief to overcrowded shelters. Since the event’s inception in 2016, more than 140,000 pets have found loving homes through this lifesaving event. BISSELL Pet Foundation provides grants for each adoption - $100 per dog and $50 per cat - allowing shelters to reduce adoption fees to $50 or less. Pets must be spayed/neutered, vaccinated and microchipped before being adopted out, an additional cost savings for the family, making the choice to adopt even more affordable.

“We are truly grateful to every adopter who opened their heart and home to a pet during a time when shelters nationwide are experiencing unprecedented challenges.” said Cathy Bissell, Founder of BISSELL Pet Foundation. "Increased owner surrenders due to evictions and housing restrictions, lack of access to veterinary care and financial challenges brought on by inflation are contributing to increased length of stays for many highly adoptable pets. Our partnership with Dogtopia allowed us to host this event at more organizations than ever before, helping nearly 1,200 pets to be adopted daily at 364 organizations in 45 states—a new record for our 'Empty the Shelters' event! We are thrilled so many pets found loving homes thanks to this lifesaving partnership!"

This was the first time CCHS participated in Empty The Shelters and Fundraising and Communication Director Brian Papalia said “Empty The Shelters was a great experience as we saw double the number of animals go home during that time period than would normally have. The Bissell Pet Foundation has brought a great opportunity to help the animals and we intend to partner with them again.”

For more information on adopting or donating to “Empty the Shelters,” visit www.bissellpetfoundation.org/empty-the-shelters as well as Chqhumane.org.  

About BISSELL Pet Foundation:

BISSELL Pet Foundation is a charitable 501©(3) nonprofit organization with a mission to help reduce the number of animals in shelters through pet adoption, spay/neuter programs, microchipping, and crisis and disaster response. Founded in 2011 by Cathy Bissell, BPF is an extension of her long-standing love for animals and commitment to their welfare. BPF has since partnered with more than 5,800 shelters and rescues across the U.S. and Canada to help pets find loving homes. The foundation is supported by generous donors and BISSELL Homecare, Inc where every purchase saves pets. To learn more and make a donation, visit www.bissellpetfoundation.org.

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