History of the Animal Protective Foundation, Founded 1931

1933 shelter

The shelter was founded by a group of volunteers led by Mrs. Jesse Carpenter and was incorporated as the Animal Protective Foundation of Schenectady, Inc. on August 12, 1931. It was established to provide care and protection to domestic animals and was first operated out of a garage on Balltown Road. Word of the shelter spread quickly and soon there was too little space for all of the animals in need of care.

This led to the creation of the Foundation’s first shelter, which was located in the Bellevue area of Schenectady (the exact location is unknown). The structure was a small wooden building with dog runs made from wire. Before the year’s end the shelter found itself reaching maximum capacity and was relocated to a larger facility in Scotia.

It wasn’t long before this shelter needed to be updated. The facility was too small, the layout was no longer appropriate, and the location was less than suitable. In 1933, a third shelter was constructed on Fort Hunter Road in Rotterdam. It was a long, low building with about 20 dog kennels and several cat cages separated by a narrow corridor. It was heated by a wood stove located at one end of the building. Dogs could enter and exit the building via a long runway that passed through a hole in the wall of the building. 

Tragically, a fire caused by a portable oil heater destroyed the shelter and claimed the lives of 44 dogs and cats on January 30, 1948. After the fire, the Foundation continued to operate by sharing the facility of the Humane Society of Amsterdam for nearly a year.

Frantic efforts took place to rebuild the animal shelter. On July 27, 1949, after public appeal and several fundraisers, a cornerstone ceremony was held for the new shelter, which would be located on old Alplaus Road (now the extension of Maple Avenue). The new shelter began operations on December 18, 1949.

In the years that followed, the animal shelter continued to serve Schenectady County as it always had. During this time the animal population continued to grow. In 1953 and 1955, the APF expanded its operations and increased its services to meet the demand of the surrounding communities. The APF’s ambulance was one method used for meeting this growing demand. The ambulance was on call 24 hours a day for unwanted, lost, homeless, sick and injured pets. Records show that in 1959 the ambulance traveled 15,973 miles and made over 365 emergency calls for sick pets. 

As the years passed, the need for growth was a constant pressure. Records indicate that the shelter took in more than 9,000 animals in 1975. In 1981 a building fund was established for the eventual addition and renovation of the outdated shelter. In 1984 that small fund was used to change existing storage space into animal holding and treatment areas.

During the next few years, incremental steps were taken to improve the facility. But it was not until 1986, as a result of two bequests, that the Foundation was able to seriously consider a major building project. In addition, in 1985 and 1988 the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) and the American Humane Association (AHA) evaluated the operations of the APF and its shelter. Both concluded that the animal shelter was not adequate to properly serve the animals in its care. The evaluations indicated that the organization was one of quality, but the inadequate facility was a serious liability.

Gordon Willard, Executive Director of the shelter at the time, stated, “Our facility has served the public and animals well during these years, but the time has come for a change. We’ve revamped within the building and kennels several times in years past to do the best we can, but now there is no question that a new shelter with modern equipment and rooms is necessary.” 

In 1988 the board of directors committed to replacing the old shelter with one that would meet the current needs of the animals and create a future of possibilities. After much research and planning, on June 10, 1993, ground was broken for a state-of-the-art shelter. Pledges, grants, savings and loans paid for the $1.3 million facility, thanks to the work of volunteers and many kind donors. The half-million-dollar loan was paid off within a year and, once again, the APF could begin to take on new challenges.

Today the APF is located at 53 Maple Avenue in Scotia, NY. It shelters stray dogs from several municipalities, including the City of Schenectady, in addition to accepting stray cats and owned animals from throughout Schenectady County.

Here is a list of milestones and accomplishments since today’s facility was completed in 1993.

• In 1993 the first “Fireplug 500 Walk for Animals” was held in Central Park. It continues to be the area’s largest walk for animals and the shelter’s biggest annual fundraiser. As an independent nonprofit organization, the APF is funded entirely by donations. The 18th annual walk is scheduled for September 11, 2010.

• In 1996 the APF completed its first in-shelter surgical suite, the first in the Capital Region. Since that time, the APF has ensured that every pet that leaves the shelter is spayed or neutered. To date, more than 14,000 shelter animals have been altered.

• In 2001 the Pet Pal Mobile Spay/Neuter clinic was developed to provide subsidized spay/neuter services to economically disadvantaged pet owners and other animal welfare organizations. The clinic operated successfully for just over three years, in that time spaying and neutering over 7,400 animals. The clinic, however, proved to be too costly to sustain. To the disappointment of many, service was discontinued in April 2005. The APF remains highly committed to spaying/neutering and developing another lower-cost option for the community.

• In 2003 the APF added the “Forget-Me-Not Garden of Reflection.” This garden provides opportunities for special tributes to family members, friends, and beloved pets, past or present.

• In 2003 the APF established the Pet Professor Humane Education Program. This program features engaging lessons on various aspects of our relationships with animals. Safety, responsibility, and compassion are the messages conveyed through the programs, taught by volunteer Pet Professors. The Be Kind to Animals Week Poster and Essay Contest was also established in 2003. Each year hundreds of elementary children participate and an awards reception is held in their honor during Be Kind to Animals week in May.

The Animal Protective Foundation also contributes to communities beyond the Capital Region. The APF created funds for pet victims of 9/11 and Hurricane Katrina, and has assisted in the prosecution of those involved in animal cruelty cases. The APF played a major role in a high profile dog-fighting case in 2003:

• Much of the underground world of dog fighting was held together by the Sporting Dog Journal and its many subscribers. James Fricchione of Orange County, NY, former publisher of the Sporting Dog Journal, was of particular interest to investigators and was a leader in dog-fighting circles. In April of 2003, after nearly two years of investigation by a team of police agencies and others focused on bringing James Fricchione to justice, a raid took place. The APF was called upon by Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) to assist. Ultimately, the APF became caretakers for 13 of the 18 pit bulls taken in the raid and shelter staff provided expert testimony on the condition of the dogs. One year later, in March 2004, Fricchione was convicted of six felonies and five misdemeanors for dog fighting-related activities. Fricchione was sentenced to 2 1/3 to seven years in state prison in April, 2004.

• In 2005, the APF bid a fond farewell to its Executive Director of 22 years, Gordon Willard, who left to pursue new challenges to help the animals. Susan Bobinsky served as Executive Director from April 2005 to February 2007.  Rosalie Ault was named her replacement in April 2007.

The APF celebrated its 75th year of operation in 2006. Its mission continues to be to address pet overpopulation and animal suffering, enhance human/animal relationships, and provide care to animals in need. Through its numerous outreach programs, the shelter provides valuable support to the community. In addition to its primary sheltering and adoption services, the APF offers dog training classes, humane education, stray housing for several municipalities, support for animal cruelty cases, and various special events, including the Fireplug 500 Walk for Animals.

The APF has operated continuously since 1931 as an independent nonprofit organization funded by donations. The organization attributes it longevity and success to its many caring supporters and volunteers, without whom the organization could not survive.

Unfortunately, there are periods of time for which there is very little documentation of the shelter’s history. Those with any information or recollections of the first shelters, located on Balltown Road and in the Bellevue area of Schenectady, or on Fort Hunter Road in Rotterdam between 1931 and 1948 are encouraged to contact the shelter at 374-3944, ext. 113.