June 1, 2020
Greetings to all!
I hope this message finds you and yours healthy and safe. At the Animal Protective Foundation, we have been thinking of you, your extended family, and those people and pets in need during this unusual time. While following the state and federal safety regulations and guidance, we have continued to provide essential services including:
- Compassionate, fundamental care and veterinary services for the pets in-house,
- Reuniting lost and found pets with their owners,
- Taking in stray pets from the Animal Control Officers in the communities with which we have contracts – Scotia/Glenville, Delanson, Duanesburg and Niskayuna, and
- Offering end-of life services for families including humane pet euthanasia and cremation.
The APF is proud to say that services to the community were enhanced to reflect the increased needs of pet owners. Focus on helping families retain their pets during and beyond this crisis is paramount to us.
Expanded services include:
- Pet Food Pantry service for pet owners who are unable to leave their homes, or who need a helping hand. Both pick-up and delivery options are available. We also offered the provision of additional pet food to our existing community partners Schenectady Inner City Mission (SICM) and Washington County Animal Control.
- Pet Behavior Support with an emphasis on our Dog Behavior Hotline and the development of virtual Canine Academy courses including Puppy School, multiple Basic Manners
Recently, we restarted spay and neuter surgeries for shelter pets and expanded our services to a small group of rescue organizations. Over time, and as conditions allow, we will continue to increase our surgical cases and offer services to additional rescue groups, and eventually to public clients.
With the resumption of spay and neuter surgeries of shelter pets, we were able to get back to adoptions. New ground was broken as we began doing virtual adoptions. Excitement filled the Shelter as Animal Care Coordinators were once again connecting wonderful APF pets with loving families.
Not to forget those whose pets passed away at this difficult time, we transitioned our Pet Bereavement Support Group to a video conferencing platform. Realizing the emotional toll and grief that some were experiencing, we felt it was important to continue this service. This is support is planned to continue into the foreseeable future.
Looking ahead, our 2020-25 APF Strategic Plan calls for increased activity in the community with a focus on pet retention, collaboration with other agencies that support our community members and delivering services in proximity to those who most need the support. Toward that end, we are preparing the following programs and seeking funding to offer:
- A Pre-Intake Behavior Assistance pilot to help people struggling with unwanted behaviors by pets in the home, and post-adoption behavior support for pets leaving the APF and entering a new home. Both of these programs are designed to help keep pets with the families that love them and provide them with the tools they need to do so.
- Knowing that many in our community have been, or will be, hard hit economically, we are planning free Community Pet Vaccination & Wellness Clinics. These will be located close to those who need them most and will be assisted by our community partners – organizations such as the YWCA of NENY and others.
These are challenging times for all, and as the APF approaches its 90th anniversary in 2021, we are here for you today, tomorrow and forever. The APF is growing stronger and more community connected than ever!
However, we cannot do this alone. If you feel you are in a position to help, please consider making a donation to support our vital, lifesaving work in the community. Every dollar counts. Every dollar saves lives. Every dollar makes a difference. No gift is too small.
Please click here if you are able to help, or call (518) 374-3944 ext. 115.
Be kind, be well and we look forward to seeing you soon.
Sincerely,
Deb Balliet
Executive Director
