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Health & Fitness

Additional Support

Support from residents as well as local and state politicians are needed for SPCA's to combat animal cruelty.

The Putnam County SPCA would like to thank all of you who have supported us as we continue to protect animals against cruelty.Your support has manifested itself in many ways, each important and each helping in a different way. Because of our role, we see the aftermath and result of crimes perpetrated against animals that most people do not, and given the choice—would choose not to. The sights, smells and acts of cruelty are difficult to comprehend and even harder to work through. Your kind words, comments and support enable us to continue our fight. 

Those who report animal cruelty strengthen our resolve that acts of cruelty against animals will not be tolerated in our society today or any day, and your calls also renew our faith that these acts are not condoned but despised. Those who forward and share our messages strengthen our voice, adding to the growing chorus that there are like-minded people united and committed against animal cruelty. And those who donate, enable us to be here tomorrow to continue the fight, because as an unfunded not-for-profit, the bills need to be paid. Donors understand that gas, insurance, etc., all are part and parcel of what we do…they understand that the victims of abuse need to heal—and healing, despite all best intentions also has a cost.

We need additional support, as do other SPCAs. New York laws, not just animal cruelty laws, need to be tweaked to help us do our job. Laws regarding arrest procedures need to be adjusted. Laws regarding our status under law need to be fixed. An SPCA is ideally suited to be the first and best resource in handling animal cruelty, but we are “sidelined” under some of the existing statutes. 

We need politicians who are interested in the workings of the law, the processes in place, and how they affect the overall picture. We are always available to help when a bill is being considered, but rarely are we, the group that enforces the law, asked about the enforceability or long/short term effect of the law.
Again, thank you for being the voice of those who cannot speak. We have great potential for change and the challenge is large, but working together we can accomplish much.

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