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March 16, 2009

SPCA needs money; reaches out to public for help

By ELYSE BETTERS

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.

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