Low cost spay/neuter
Depending on funding, grants and donations, Volunteers For Animals may have Community Spay/Neuter Vouchers available. Eligibility varies depending on available funding. They are designated to help the members of our community with responsible pet ownership. These vouchers are intended for people who are currently on a lower or fixed income who may have difficulty affording the full cost of spaying, neutering and vaccinating their animals. The funding for this program is made possible by the generous donations of our supporters. Volunteers For Animals takes all donations seriously, distributing its limited funds with integrity. If you would like to check on availability of this program, email us at info@vol4animals.org PLEASE DO NOT call the shelter regarding vouchers.
Other resources:
OPERATION PETS located in Blasdell, NY
HABITAT FOR CATS located in Penfield, NY
FERAL CAT FOCUS located in the Buffalo area
ROCHESTER COMMUNITY ANIMAL CLINIC
LOLLYPOP FARM located in Victor, NY
Need to surrender a pet
IF YOU ARE ARE CONSIDERING SURRENDERING A DOG OR CAT TO THE SHELTER
You must be a Genesee County resident and call the Shelter to speak with an Animal Control Officer BEFORE coming to the Shelter (585-343-6410 option 7). We have limited kennel space and can only accept adoptable animals. If you are told to bring in an animal - PLEASE BRING ANY AND ALL VET RECORDS - this helps to get the animal up for adoption sooner.
The Genesee County Animal Shelter does not euthanize due to time or space issues. As long as the animal has no serious behavior issues or medical problems, they will be kept until they are adopted.
If you are considering surrendering an animal with either behavior or medical problems and do not wish to take the animal to a vet to be euthanized, ERIE COUNTY SPCA or LOLLYPOP FARM may accept these animals. A donation is requested.
Stray cats
We are a small shelter with limited space and resources. We can only accept a cat if we have cage space. If the cat is sick or injured, we must have a spot in a foster home in order to accept it. We cannot accept any cat in a trap or that is not "touchable."
If you are interested in inquiring about bringing in a cat, please call the shelter at 343-6410 option 7 between 9-3 any day of the week. You must be a resident of Genesee County to bring an animal into the shelter. We have a limited number of cages as well as limited space in our foster homes. There will be times of the year when we are over capacity and cannot accept any more cats. We are not able to help everyone who calls and will need your help and understanding.
What can you do in the meantime? Other options include taking the cat to Lollypop Farm in Victor, NY or SPCA in West Seneca, NY. If the cat is severely injured or sick, consider taking it to the vet to have it euthanized instead of letting it suffer. If you are able, find a place in your basement, shed, porch or garage to keep the cat safe and fed until it can come into the shelter. Take the cat to a vet for basic vaccines and consider getting it spayed or neutered. If basic vet care is provided for the cat, it will help to get the cat up for adoption much quicker. Spaying and neutering will prevent more stray cats.
Lost Pets
A properly conducted physical search around home or the place last seen is the #1 effective technique for finding a missing pet.
Found a dog or cat and no owner
THINK LOST, NOT STRAY - someone may be frantically looking for their lost pet. A lost and found list is kept at the Shelter. Call to check the list for the missing animal and to be put on the list (585-343-6410 option 7). Ask to bring the animal into the Shelter in order for it to be scanned for a microchip. Immediately post a good photo, description and location on Genesee County, NY Lost and Found Facebook page. Consider making a flyer to post in your area especially with your neighbors. The majority of cats picked up are within 2 blocks of their home.
Rehome your pet
Find Your Pet A Loving Forever Home - Adoptapet.com has a website that you can post your pet to safely find a new home. You post your pet's profile, review adopter applications, answer adopter questions as well as many other resources to help in your placement of your pet.
ID for your pet
We all know that it is important to have ID tags on our pets but how many of us don't have them? Be honest. VFA is committed to helping families get lost and missing pets back home. Since 2006, we have offered low cost microchipping and continue to encourage it. But we all know that ID tags on our pets will help get them even faster, many times by passing the Shelter altogether. To help encourage getting our pets properly tagged, VFA purchased an engraving machine. Now you can stop by the Shelter during our adoption hours to have a personalized ID tag engraved while you wait. All we are asking is for is a donation for the tag and to go home and get the tag on your pet. We are also encouraging you to put collars and ID tags on your cats, including indoor cats. No one plans for our cats and dogs to escape the house or yard, so please plan ahead!