animal shelter

(Above, our dog "Pachuco" staring straight ahead. Two other dogs with similar markings are in the background.)

In support of the Genesee County Animal Shelter, Stan's Harley-Davidson and Beds-N-Bones Pet Lodge are sponsoring Hogs for Paws from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Aug. 18.

Bring in an item on the wish list (below) or make a donation and receive a free lunch (hot dog, salad, drink).

Dogs and cats can also be microchipped for $30.

Events include obedience training with Canine Academy, K-9 demonstrations, a 50/50 raffle, T-shirt sale an a "pet photo contest."

Wish list items include: Canned and dry cat and dog food, small blankets, and beds, bleach, laundry soap and paper towels and non-clumping cat litter.

Stan's is located at 4425 W. Saile Drive, Batavia.

Press release:

Students in Genesee Community College's new Veterinary Technology program began the fall semester with a new opportunity at the Genesee County Animal Shelter. The new cooperative agreement is already being tagged as a beneficial opportunity for all involved, especially our four-legged, furry friends.

Under the extensive oversight of GCC's vet tech program, second-year students are gaining hands-on experience by working with the staff and volunteers who run the Genesee County Animal Shelter located on West Main Street in the Town of Batavia.

Under the new agreement, GCC vet tech students aid in most facets of the shelter's daily operation including basic animal care such as feeding, cleaning, and kennel duty, as well as reception, client education, transport and record keeping. They work closely with the on-duty licensed veterinary technologist or veterinarian with direct animal care in checking vital signs, collecting and processing of blood and fecal samples, ear cleaning, administering medications, and diagnostic testing.

The students are enrolled in higher level courses, specifically, VET 234 Clinical Laboratory Techniques, VET 245 and VET 246 which covers small and large animal pathology and nursing, respectively.

"I'm ecstatic -- it is a great collaboration in a lot of different ways," Wendy Castleman, president of the Volunteers for Animals (VFA), which provides extensive support to Genesee County Animal Shelter. "There is already a very positive impact and a huge benefit to the animal and the shelter's operation as students help with the care, cleanliness, checking and testing of the animals."

The multifaceted benefit also includes the animal shelter now having access to an on-site veterinarian. GCC's full-time instructor Dr. Carolyn (Carrie) Caccamise is involved with the Animal Shelter as she oversees the teaching and learning experience of GCC students.

Genesee Community College's Veterinary Technology program trains students to aid animals and society by providing excellent care and service for animals by alleviating animal suffering and by promoting public health. Genesee students do not perform animal experiments of any kind, and the program will be visited on site by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) for accreditation review.

It is also overseen by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC), which ensures each and every procedure is documented, follows appropriate animal protocol and that the facilities are inspected a minimum of two times a year. The program is also registered by the NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets and comes under the direct jurisdiction of the US Department of Agriculture (USDA/APHIS). These governing agencies also conduct yearly inspections of facilities, review all protocols used for student learning, as well as the housing requirements for each individual species.

All animals cared for GCC students are supervised by a NYS licensed veterinarian and licensed veterinary technician, each with more than 20 years of veterinary clinical experience.

Lastly, part of the curriculum of Genesee's Veterinary Technology program includes studying the federally enacted Animal Welfare Act, wherein these rules and regulations offer the minimum standard of care. The two-year Vet Tech program at Genesee gives graduates the opportunity to become licensed veterinary technicians versed in high standards of animal care and dignity suitable for employment in many occupations that maintain the health and welfare of animals.

"GCC's program and its new agreement with Genesee County Animal Shelter aims to give our students a dynamic learning opportunity, but in doing so we are also sharing our resources with the local community and helping strengthen the extraordinary services provided by the Animal Shelter," said Kathryn Seweryniak, LVT, MS, director of the Veterinary Technology program. "Our program and this new cooperative agreement enable all of us to better help the animals in our community."

The Genesee County Animal Shelter offers an invaluable service to the community with more than 450 cats adopted last year and more than 220 dogs adopted. It is located at 3841 W. Main St. Road in Batavia and is open to the public Monday, Tuesday, Friday and Sundays from 1 to 3 p.m.; Saturday, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.; and Wednesdays from 1 to 3 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m.

The shelter can be reached at 343-6410. The website for Volunteers for Animals is www.vol4animals.org and it's updated regularly and features photos and profiles of both cats, dogs, kittens and puppies that are available for adoption.

For information contact GCC's Veterinary Technology Program Director Kathryn Seweryniak at 343-0055, ext. 6187, or at keseweryniak@genesee.edu.

Kiera Gross, above, got just what she wanted for her 11th birthday. She was surrounded by friends and dogs and cats.

Gross wanted her birthday party to be something that would help support the animal shelter and pet adoption. Volunteers for Animals helped out by bringing some dogs and kittens to the Bethany Fire Hall today.

Guests were asked to bring a donation to the party. More than a dozen of Kiera's friends joined in the party, which included games with the pets, a chance to make a pet bed and lots and lots of petting and cuddling the animals.

Clockwise -- Kim Davis, Sarah Stefan, Loy Gross (Kiera's mom) and Taylor Heineman, work on making pet beds.

Alannah Gross.

Meet "Buddy." If I were more impulsive, I would have taken Buddy home immediately.  He's a super-good natured dog, very friendly -- a real "people person" -- and eager for a new master. The shelter is looking for a home for him very, very soon, so go adopt him.

My name is Lemon Drop. I'm a young, stunning spayed female Hound Mix looking for an equally stunning family. I am a great-natured dog who loves to hang with humans, play with other dogs and cuddle with all. My ideal home would have a comfortable couch to stretch out on, good quality food, a fenced yard or a human who loves to take long walks (with me, of course). If this sounds like a match made in heaven, come in soon!

I'm Rex, a young single black neutered male cat looking for lots of fun and games. I am an adventurous boy who, when I get the chance, loves breaking out of my cage here to play in the interaction room. Oh, and I love wrestling with dogs, too - they don't scare me at all! I came to the Shelter with a bad infection to my tail. It had to be amputated but I do just fine without it and I don't let it slow me down. So if you are looking for fun and action, you know where to find me.

Pachuco is very pleased with the initial response to his new Pet of the Week contest, but he wants to make sure everybody knows about it. He will select his first winner on Friday. To find out more, click here.

Genesee County's 4-H'ers logged record sales of more than $100,000 at the 38th annual meat auction at the Fair yesterday, according to the Daily News. Unfortunately, the ever-increasing costs of feed, straw and fuel mean that the higher sales prices were barely enough to break even in many instances. Check out the article by Tom Rivers for more details.

Animal shelters in Genesee and Wyoming counties are "inundated" with cats this summer. PAWS Animal Shelter in Albion is already "at capacity" with 190 cats — and more getting dumped in the donation slot regularly.

News of the potential relocation of Youth Football to John Kennedy that is noted on today's front page appeared on The Batavian yesterday.

Batavia sluggers will travel to Oakfield tonight for the District 3 youth baseball championship. Batavia's pitchers threw two no-hitters in the past two matches (versus LeRoy and Oakfield). If they win tonight, they clinch the championship and travel to Elmira for the sectionals. If Oakfield wins, the two square off Monday for a tie-break match. Tonight's game is at 6:00pm.

We encourage you to pick up a copy of the Daily News at local newsstands. Or, better yet, subscribe at BataviaNews.com.

What a wonderful surprise to see the videos of our animals on The Batavian. And then to read what The Batavian is all about. Thanks for helping to promote the shelter animals available for adoption. We have some wonderful animals looking for good homes.

The Genesee County Animal Shelter is featuring on YouTube three cats in need of new homes.