PERU — Sadie is a lively young beagle with big, brown eyes and long, floppy ears.
She came to the Elmore SPCA in Peru almost three weeks ago, barely alive and pregnant with four dead puppies.
“We had to spend almost $900 in medical expenses to save her life,” said Kelly Allen, the shelter’s manager, animal-cruelty officer and certified animal behaviorist.
“The vet said Sadie probably wouldn’t be able to walk again … if she even survived.”
Today, Sadie is walking around and doing better, but her hips and legs are still weak.
She was lucky the shelter saved her, but dozens of animals like her will not have that chance if Elmore SPCA does not raise $30,000 by June.
The Peru shelter needs a minimum of $67,000 in 2009 to remain open and continue helping the cats, dogs and other animals of Clinton County.
“After calculating the amount we get from local towns in contract fees, fundraisers and donations, we are still coming up short,” said Inger Joy, the shelter’s treasurer and board member.
“Simply put, annual operating expenses are exceeding the total amount of income from all sources.”
The shelter has served the surrounding communities since 1945; and it has helped more than 20,000 animals in need.
On average, Elmore takes in 400 animals every year. The majority are strays collected by dog-control officers in Plattsburgh, Altona, Dannemora, Peru, Saranac, Schuyler Falls, AuSable and Black Brook.
A large portion of the shelter’s cats and dogs are also owner-surrenders, abuse cases and court-ordered seizures.
“We really need about $110,000 to comfortably take care of all the animals,” said Carol Solari-Ruscoe, the shelter’s secretary and a board member. “Each animal costs about $26 a day. That includes food, medical bills, utilities and additional costs.”
Currently, Elmore has about 100 cats, 30 dogs and even a few horses.
“We are trying to raise the money,” Solari-Ruscoe chuckled as she opened Sadie’s kennel to let the beagle walk around. “It’s not like we are just sitting around waiting for thousands of dollars to fall into our laps.
“But we are asking the community to help us out. We can’t do it all by ourselves.”
Elmore SPCA President Karen Dziomba said the shelter’s board of directors, members and volunteers have been “desperately fundraising” to cover the financial crisis.
“We’ve been doing membership drives, participating in community events, sending out newsletters and directly appealing to people.”
The shelter held a “Have-A-Heart” fundraiser in Champlain Centre mall last February that raised almost $900.
“That is a good amount for a fundraiser,” Solari-Ruscoe said. “But $900 just barely covered the medical expenses of one dog, Sadie.
“We have a hundred more animals that need food and medical attention, too.”
The Elmore SPCA plans to hold more drives and fundraisers in the coming months, including two annual membership drives in April.
“More volunteers and members are great,” Dziomba said. “But we really need money.
“All animals deserve a second chance and need a safe haven until they get that chance, but Elmore won’t be able to help if we can’t raise at least half the money by June.”
Solari-Ruscoe knelt down to pet Sadie’s back and rub her floppy ears.
“She’s a beautiful dog,” she said.
She estimated it will cost another $500 for hip-replacement surgery and rehabilitation services for the beagle.
“I want to give her the attention she needs, but unless we raise $67,000 (by year’s end), I don’t know what the future will have in store for Sadie, let alone for our SPCA.”
To donate money, useful supplies or food to the shelter, go to: www.elmorespca.org.
Local News
SPCA needs money; reaches out to public for help
- New Today
-
-
Tornado watch in effect until 9 p.m.
The National Weather Service says severe thunderstorms with large hail are forecast, too.
-
Lake Placid man dies in motorcycle crash
Edward L. Brown, 60, was riding his 2003 Harley on State Route 9N in the Town of Black Brook when he lost control, police say.
-
New display honors Podres
Signs welcoming visitors to The Town of Moriah will soon feature Dodgers hurler Johnny Podres of Witherbee.
-
Storm knocks out power in city
Power lines taken down by high winds and rain.
-
Subcommittee recommends top bidder for Horace Nye Nursing Home
After touring facilities run by the three bidders for the Essex County Facility, the subcommittee chose Centers for Specialty Care of New York City.
-
Tornado watch in effect until 9 p.m.
- Local News
-
-
Teen on bike struck by car during downpour
Tuesday's storms also knocked out power and felled trees in Plattsburgh.
-
Clinton County legislators cut bus runs
Vote unanimous despite some beg to keep service as is.
-
Child Support Unit brings in millions
Parents who don't pay child support as ordered may find their retirements stripped.
-
Crown Point remembers on Memorial Day
After a solemn cemetery tour, 144th Memorial Day parade drew hundreds to honor those who have served and those in harm's way.
-
Keeseville residents give input on dissolution
A committee to study the proposed village dissolution offered two options.
-
CCRS wins Grammy Foundation grant
A $5,500 grant from the Grammy Foundation's Signature Schools program will provide students with greater access to multicultural music.
-
Moriah youth to compete in National Spelling Bee
Nicholas Manfred will take on 277 other spellers starting today in Washington, D.C.
-
Health Department predicts heavy tick season
People can take precautions to prevent Lyme disease infection, including wearing proper clothing, using insect repellent with DEET and checking for ticks on the body whenever in an area where ticks may inhabit.
- May 28, 2012
-
Moriah youth to compete in National Spelling Bee
Nicholas Manfred will take on 277 other spellers starting Tuesday in Washington, D.C.
-
Clinton County legislators cut bus runs
Vote unanimous despite some beg to keep service as is.
-
Rochester teen drowns in Upper Saranac Lake
Keenen J. Green was volunteering with the Young Life group when he vanished beneath the water in Harrietstown Friday.
-
Clinton County pays off landfill debt
That means about $195,000 less in expenditures yearly.
-
Plattsburgh war widow learns husband's fate
An envelope from the U.S. Army arrived out of the blue, at last answering some of Ethel Dick's questions.
-
Memorial Day events set for Monday
Parades and services remember those who served.
-
Franklin County home-sale fees down
Franklin County is seeing fewer large-home sales in a sluggish economy right now, but the forecast is for an upswing as potential buyers gain confidence and reconsider making a purchase.
-
CVPH Eat Dessert First venue to change
The cancer-survivor celebration will be held June 15 before the annual Relay for Life event at Clinton County Fairgrounds.
-
Shine On! a learning experience for girls, parents, students
The recent overnight conference was aimed at developing resiliency in young girls, planned and executed by public-relations majors at Plattsburgh State.
-
Lookback: May 28, 2012
News stories from around the region from 25, 50, 75 and 100 years ago this week.
-
Teen on bike struck by car during downpour
- Recent Article Comments


