ASPCA Transports More Than 200 Animals from Overcrowded Animal Rescue in Fulton County, N.Y.

NEW YORK--The ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®), under the authority of the Fulton County Sheriff's Department in Johnstown, N.Y., is transporting 230 animals that were recently surrendered by a non-profit, no-kill rescue known as Kelly's Haven for Friends Animal Rescue in Gloversville, N.Y., approximately 30 miles northwest of Schenectady. The animals will be placed with various animal welfare groups in the surrounding area and throughout the northeast.

"Once we assessed all the animals at the facility, we then contacted our shelter response partners to quickly establish placement for the relinquished animals," said Jeff Eyre, northeast director of ASPCA Field Investigations and Response. "We are pleased that so many animal welfare agencies quickly stepped up to offer their assistance and help a community with severely limited resources."

The ASPCA was called to assist the Fulton County Sheriff's Department in the evidence collection, triage and placement of the animals housed at Kelly's Haven for Friends Animal Rescue. Dogs, cats, birds and farm animals, including goats and horses, were discovered on the overcrowded property in various stages of neglect. The ASPCA's veterinary team examined and treated each animal, utilizing its fully equipped northeast "Mobile Animal Crime Scene Investigation (CSI) Unit," a specially-designed vehicle outfitted with state-of-the-art forensics tools and medical equipment tailored for animal patients.

New York agencies assisting the ASPCA with placement include: Mohawk and Hudson River Humane Society (Menands); New Rochelle Humane Society (New Rochelle); Washington County Animal Control (Argyle); New England Border Collie Rescue (Stephentown); ResQ Connection (Amsterdam); Companion Animal Placement Program (Rensselaer); Estherville Animal Shelter (Greenfield Center); and Country Roads Animal Rescue (Fultonville).

The ASPCA's custom-built animal transport trailer, generously donated by the Silberstein Foundation of New York and the Grousbeck Family Foundation of California, will make several stops throughout the northeast and west during the transfer operation.** Sumter DART, based in Bushnell, Fla., is also assisting with the remaining transport to rescue groups.

Eyre added, "The ASPCA is able to continue our lifesaving work with assistance from these various agencies, and we want to thank all the groups involved for their collaboration and providing a second chance for these rescued animals. We are committed to helping rescue groups provide care for the animals and eventually place them in permanent homes."

**Stops include: Mohawk and Hudson River Humane Society (Menands, N.Y.); New Rochelle Humane Society (New Rochelle, N.Y.); Noah's Ark Animal Welfare Association (Ledgewood, N.J.); Washington Animal Rescue League (Washington, D.C.); Finger Lakes SPCA (Bath, N.Y.); Allen County SPCA (Fort Wayne, Ind.); Central Vermont Humane Society (East Montpelier, Vt.); Conway Humane Society (Conway, N.H.); Animal Rescue League (Bedford, N.H.); and Monadnock Humane Society (Swanzey, N.H.).