A Letter
from the President of the Board —
March 2008
Dear Members and Friends,
March brings the promise of spring and
our annual membership drive. The UCSPCA is fortunate to have
so many caring people who support our mission and make it
possible for us to help improve the lives of animals. The
UCSPCA is a private not for profit organization. We do not
receive money from the county to run our shelter or to fund
any of our services. We rely on your generosity both in the
time, money, and other donations so many of you give.
You
make it possible for us to give shelter and find homes for
animals in need.
Recently Foxy, a sweet 8 year old Shiba
Inu, was surrendered to us because her guardian, who had her
since she was a puppy, was entering a nursing home and was
heartbroken that she could not keep her. Foxy was surely heartbroken
too. She was well cared for at the shelter and soon found a
new loving home. A cat was surrendered to us because her guardian
had died. A good friend wanted to keep the cat but her travel
schedule prevented it. The friend who had to surrender the
cat left the shelter crying. But it was not a sad ending for
the cat, who will be lovingly cared for at our shelter until
she finds a new home.
Some animals who we help have not had
such a loving start in life. One sub freezing night our Humane
Law Officer responded to a call about a dog who was always
left tied outside. The dog was taken into custody and spent
a warm night at our shelter. He was soon adopted by a family
where he will always have a bed inside the home.
Our Humane Law Officer also responded
to another call about two dogs who were being kept outside
in unhealthy conditions. The
dogs were taken into custody. One of the dogs was so thin that
you could easily count his ribs. In spite of this terrible
neglect he is in good spirits and is now gaining weight. It
will take him months to regain his health and we will be there
for him for as long as it takes.
In another situation a woman
who had been goodheartedly taking in stray cats ended up with
more cats than she could handle. She surrendered 12 cats to
the shelter. After the cats were spayed and neutered they joined
the other shelter cats in our large sun filled cat room where
they await the right someone to take them home. We arranged
to have her remaining cats spayed and neutered at our clinic
so that she can keep her cat population under control.
The dogs, cats and other animals that
come to us receive whatever medical care they need. But many
of the animals are also emotionally traumatized and need
love and attention as well. “Pearl” an
8 year old miniature poodle mix came to us after spending time
as a stray. Her terribly matted coat was clipped, her nails
were trimmed, she was bathed and her health was evaluated.
She was given a room by herself so she wouldn’t be stressed
by the other dogs. She just sat looking out the window of the
room. But she wasn’t alone long. Staff, board members
and volunteers took turns holding her and pampering
her. When it was determined that she needed surgery, our clinic
vet Dr. Bloom donated her services. Pearl is a much happier
dog now.
Thank you to the incredible number of
you who help us in so many ways.
Please remember to renew your membership
or become a member now so that we can continue to make a
difference in the lives of animals.
Louise
Cutler
President of the Board of Directors
Ulster
County SPCA
Board of Directors
Mary Brice
Cindy Caporale Vice President
Louise Cutler President
Janet Deblitz
Diane Kemble — Treasurer
Sue Kivel — Secretary
Marie Mabile
Nora Nelson
C.J. Popp
Bev Sharrett
Susan Plonski
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