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| Promoting The Health & Safety Of Animals |
| By:Michelle Gabrielle Centamore
07/11/2007 |
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REMEMBERED for being a comforting presence to police and fire rescue workers following the September 11 terrorist attacks, as well as being the mascot of the Suffolk County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, |
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Since 1984, the Suffolk County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals has served to protect and promote the health and safety of animals by educating the public on proper care, and by removing animals from homes where evidence of cruelty or neglect has been discovered. In the past 12 months, the Suffolk SPCA investigated 1,912 cases, conducted spay/neuter clinics for more than 578 animals in their mobile hospital, and inoculated approximately 1,500 animals against rabies, according to Roy Gross, chief of department for the SPCA. In addition to holding numerous educational programs and presentations throughout Suffolk County during the year, the not-for-profit organization - mostly made up of volunteers - continues to accomplish its mission through the recent establishment of both the pet-friendly shelter in Yaphank and the Cody Foundation.
In cooperation with the Suffolk County Office of Emergency Management, the Suffolk SPCA has created a pet-friendly shelter at the fire training academy in Yaphank. The shelter will provide a safe haven for residents with pets in case of a natural disaster, according to Gross, and consists of two levels whereby pets - dogs, cats and birds only - would remain on one level and their owners on the other.
"Pet owners would check in [upon arrival] and get a band on their arm with a duplicate band number for their pet," Gross explained. The SPCA would take a picture of their pet in order to further ensure their security and the ability to match them with their owner. Throughout their stay, after being properly identified, owners would be able to visit with their pets.
In order to further its mission of educating the public on responsible pet care, the SPCA has established the Cody Foundation. The foundation will provide spay/neuter services, rabies clinics and educational programs, and help animals in need of care.
"It is healthier for the animal to be spayed or neutered because it prevents the spread of disease," Gross explained. "Spayed/neutered pets live longer, healthier lives." In addition, he said, "animal shelters are overburdened with unwanted animals. It becomes a cost to the taxpayers for shelter operation." Gross added that "altered animals are also generally more docile and easier to train."
The Cody Foundation was established upon the passing of Gross's dog, Cody, a golden retriever who, according to Gross, "impacted the lives of so many people." Cody served as the Suffolk SPCA's mascot.
Gross recalled an outing he took with Cody on his motorcycle to Old Dock Road in Kings Park, overlooking the Long Island Sound, where he and Cody were approached by a group from a local retirement home to pose for pictures. "The pleasure and excitement that these seniors experienced from this was priceless," Gross said. "I hear that they still have pictures displayed at the senior retirement home."
According to Gross, the outing at Kings Park led to many other joint excursions, including educational pet fairs, visits to houses of worship, Boy Scouts, nursing homes and schools. "Cody loved kids, and the kids loved him," Gross commented. "His presence at many schools taught the students about the care and handling of pets, as well as the joy of being a pet owner. Cody also loved going to nursing homes, and the elderly patients found great delight in playing with him, or merely patting his head. His calm nature brought peace to many residents who had given up their own dogs."
One of Cody's most important endeavors, according to Gross, was serving as a therapy dog during the aftermath of the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. Gross recalled how Cody played an important role comforting the police, firefighters and other first responders who worked at Ground Zero. "Civilians who were so distraught and people looking for their missing loved ones found solace in interacting with Cody," Gross said, adding that in the following years, Cody comforted grieving families at various September 11 memorial ceremonies.
It was also following the events of September 11 that Dr. John Charos, currently a volunteer veterinarian and investigator with the SPCA, became familiar with the Suffolk SPCA. During that time, he was helping to rejuvenate search and rescue dogs to comfort people in need. Charos has since continued to assist the organization in home investigations and emergency care. "The dedication and drive of the Suffolk County SPCA is awe inspiring," he said. "They really put their heart into it for the protection and care of animals. It is a group of men and women who really care about what they do."
The Suffolk SPCA covers many facets of animal protection, Charos explained, highlighting an annual free rabies vaccine clinic that takes place at Islip Town Hall. "With rabies being such a large concern now in Suffolk County, it helps get a lot of needy people's pets their rabies vaccination," he said.
Dr. Charles Greco is also a volunteer veterinarian and investigator with the organization. He assists in both spay and neuter programs throughout the year, as well as in cases where there is a need to assess if an animal has been abused or neglected. "We are out there trying to be the voice of the animals and trying to protect the animals from cruelty and neglect," he said. "If we see animals being used for dog fighting or cock fighting, we get involved with that and try to put an end to it."
According to Gross, the Suffolk SPCA's authority extends throughout Suffolk County and it has the ability to enforce the New York State Agriculture and Markets Law with regard to the mistreatment of animals.
So far this year, the SPCA has seized 106 illegal reptiles, including poisonous snakes, crocodiles and alligators and, most recently, the organization was involved in the search and seizure of 54 dogs that were being kept in a Medford home. "There was no water or food for the dogs in that house," Gross said. "There was no way you could step into the house without stepping into feces. The house was basically a hellhole." All of the animals from the Medford incident are either being treated by veterinarians and/or being prepared for adoption, according to Gross.
"When you own a pet, you must take responsibility for them," Gross said, noting that the average dog requires a 15-year commitment. This responsibility, he added, includes feeding them, bathing them, playing with them and ensuring that they receive proper veterinary care. "And the love they give you in return is 100-fold," he said.
For those who find caring for a pet to be too much to handle, Gross noted that there are many rescue groups that attempt to assist with the adoption process. "There are too many animals that are discarded, abandoned and turned in to shelters when people have made a rash decision," he said. "Pets are not toys. These animals have feelings, emotions and needs."
Suspicion of neglect or cruelty, Gross said, including when an animal is left in a car in hot weather, should be reported to the SPCA or to the police department.
For more information on any of these services or programs, call the Suffolk County SPCA at 382-7722 or visit www.suffolkspca.org.
Donations to the Cody Foundation can be mailed to the Suffolk County SPCA at 363 Route 111, Suite 5, Smithtown, NY 11787. |
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The Suffolk County SPCA is a local, independent not-for-profit organization that has been servicing the humane needs, requirements, and enforcement of cruelty laws for Suffolk County, New York animals for over 20 years - NY State Law provides that there is to be but one SPCA per county in the State - the Suffolk County SPCA is in no way affiliated with, a subdivision of or funded by any other local, state or national organization.
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