4 Hudson Valley Animal Shelters Receive State Grants

HUDSON VALLEY, NY — Nearly $5 million was awarded to 17 nonprofit animal shelters and humane societies in New York, including four in the Hudson Valley.

The awards, made through the fourth round of the New York State Companion Animal Capital Fund, will support construction, renovation and expansion projects that will provide animal care.

In making the announcement, Gov. Kathy Hochul said that the state’s Companion Animal Capital Fund make a true difference for shelters and humane societies.

“I was proud to include funding for this program in my executive budget this year — the first time in history,” she said, “and my administration will continue supporting the great organization that work to keep sheltered dogs and cats safe.”

The awards given to Hudson Valley organizations are:

• Humane Society of Westchester: $125,000 for resurfacing of outdoor dog runs, a retaining wall for the dog park and new cages and floors for the cat area.
• Paws Crossed Animal Rescue Inc.: $200,000 for a new adoption area, cat rooms and meet-and-greet rooms. The addition of a veterinary clinic area, community room and staff offices are planned as well.
• Sullivan County SPCA: $100,000 for an HVAC system, new kennel gates, doors and fencing that will support animal health, safety and comfort.
• Ulster County SPCA: $250,510 for a total renovation of their dog kennel area as well as new paint and new flooring.

Julie Potter, the business and development director for Paws Crossed Animal Rescue in Elmsford, told Patch the organization was honored and thankful to be chosen as one of the fund’s recipients.

“Our main objective we want to achieve through this incredible grant is becoming a much bigger resource to our community (and beyond) in solving the enormous problems of staggering pet overpopulation, homelessness and tragically high euthanasia numbers, while greatly bettering our abilities and capabilities for the comfort and well-being of the pets in our care by improving our facility,” she said.

The New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets selects grant recipients based on a need assessment, detailed project description and reasonableness of cost.

Further recognizing the importance of the program, for the first time this year, the state also expanded eligibility to include shelters that were previously granted this fund and have completed their projects, as well as shelters without municipal contracts servicing underserved regions.