Humane Society seeks everything from food to shovels

By Liz Schevtchuk Armstrong

Philipstown is going to the dogs – with supplies. At least that’s what Councilwoman Barbara Scuccimarra hopes. Given cutbacks in government funding for the Putnam Humane Society, she has launched a drive to collect everything from dog food to rakes and shovels for the society’s shelter, located in Carmel. “We cut back funding for the Humane Society considerably, as did, I believe, some of the other towns,” she told the public and Town Board at the board’s Jan. 6 meeting. “Most of the dogs are housed outside because the facility is so ancient. So, help my conscience. See what you can come up with.” She said that donors can bring their goods to the Town Hall, at 238 Main St., Cold Spring, and that she would personally ensure delivery to the Humane Society. “I’ll take them over.” list she distributed includes dog and cat food, dog biscuits, blankets, pet shampoo, rawhide rolls, bleach, buckets, dish-washing liquid, garbage bags and snow shovels, along with many other items.

According to the Humane Society’s website, “for many years, staff and volunteers have struggled to shovel the snow out of our yard and kennels each time it storms. It takes a dozen hearty shovelers a full day to clear the snow.” Thus, along with the snow shovels, the shelter welcomes monetary donations to help buy a Suzuki King Quad ATV, an all-terrain vehicle, to be equipped with a snowplow. The shelter also offers another way to assist dogs — by providing a temporary foster home. “During extreme weather please come foster a dog for a few days to give them some relief,” the Humane Society asks animal-loving area residents. Besides the homeless dogs, the shelter also accommodates cats. “We are in need of Friskies © (no fish) and Purina Pro Plan Kitten,” the shelter staff  explain on the website. “We have a lot of kittens and need help.”

The towns of Carmel, Kent, Patterson, Philipstown, and Southeast contract with the Humane Society to handle lost and stray dogs, brought in by town dog-control officers and the public. For fiscal 2011, Philipstown allocated $10,500 for stray-related contract services, down from $17,031 in 2010.  Aside from town contracts, the society relies on membership dues and contributions and does not receive funds from any national humane society or the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. On average, the shelter cares for 100 cats and dogs each day.

Potential donors, members, and adoptive families or individuals can obtain information by calling the society at 845-225-7777 or by reviewing its website: http://www.puthumane.org/

The full list of needed shelter items follows: 

Pro Plan Dry Shredded Chicken Blend for dogs
Pro Plan Dry Chicken & Rice for Cats
Friskies Canned Cat Food (no fish)
Dog biscuits
Blankets
Comforters
Towels
XL Red and Black Kongs
Kong Spray Stuff
Large “Bully Sticks”
Rawhide retriever rolls – large
Nylon leashes, 6 feet, 1-inch thick
Cream cheese
Peanut butter
Pet shampoo
Nail clippers
Hydrogen peroxide
Bleach
Hand sanitizers
Sponges with abrasive side
High efficiency (HE) laundry detergent
Dish washing liquid
Brooms
Large black industrial-size garbage bags
Hose nozzles
Stainless steel buckets, 9-quart size
Paper towels
Screw drivers
Hammers
Blue tarps (any size)
Garden hoes
Rakes
Snow shovels
Safe Paw Ice Melter

Behind The Story

Type: News

News: Based on facts, either observed and verified directly by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.

Armstrong was the founding news editor of The Current (then known as Philipstown.info) in 2010 and later a senior correspondent and contributing editor for the paper. She worked earlier in Washington as a White House correspondent and national affairs reporter and assistant news editor for daily international news services. Location: Cold Spring. Languages: English. Areas of expertise: Politics and government