$3.8 Million to Revamp 10 Animal Shelters Across NY State

A shot of the Boston Animal Control building in Boston, New York.Photo byPhoto by J.M. Lesinski

New York State Governor Kathy Hochul recently celebrated the allocation of approximately $3.8 million in funding to ten select animal care organizations all across New York state, made available through the New York State Companion Animal Capital Fund. 

“New York State’s Companion Animal Capital Fund continues to make a real difference for our shelters and humane societies across the state,” Hochul remarked of the funding. "This funding will better equip these vital facilities with the tools they need to improve the quality of care for animals as they await a permanent, loving home.”

Those organizations that were selected are as follows: the Animal Protective Foundation of Schenectady in Scotia, Bideawee in New York City, the Chenango SPCA in Norwich, Country Acres Animal Shelter in Homer, the Jefferson County SPCA in Watertown, Paw of Orleans County in Albion, Pets Alive in Middletown, the town of Southampton, the town of Webster, and the Tri Lakes Humane Society in Saranac Lake.

“Once again, the Companion Animal Capital Fund will have a profound impact on the lives of homeless companion animals living in our shelters,” stated New York State Animal Protection Federation Executive Director Libby Post of the funding. “The Fund has enhanced their quality of life and created environments where animal welfare professionals can do their job of caring for animals without obstacles such as air handling systems that need to be replaced, kennels that are antiquated and falling apart and floors that are porous and spread disease. When the NYS Animal Protection Federation proposed this in 2017, we knew incredible change could take place in New York’s animal shelters—now it has! The Federation thanks Governor Hochul and our legislative champions Assemblymember Deborah Glick and State Senator Joseph Addabbo for making sure these funds are available to help those who don’t have a voice.”

Funding will provide support for construction, renovating, and growth projects aimed at enhancing animal care and general well-being. 

"I am grateful that the Companion Animal Capital Fund is available to help shelters make much-needed improvements,” New York State Assemblymember Donna Lupardo commented of the funding. “These funds will allow organizations to provide the highest quality care to animals while they await adoption. I'd like to thank the Governor and my colleagues for continuing to support this important effort. I have seen first-hand how well these funds have been used and know how needed these resources are.”

Since the inception of the Companion Animal Capital Fund program in 2017, officially administered by the Department of Agriculture and Markets, New York state has invested roughly $33 million to this vital program. 

“Through six rounds, it has been incredible to see our shelters across the state complete these projects that make life better for the animals in their care,” noted New York State Agriculture Commissioner Richard A. Ball of the funding. “I’m proud that the funding announced today will continue to build on the great work of this program, helping New York’s animals stay happy and healthy as they await their forever homes."