By Darlene Brace
How you can support those who support the animals we love…
The Chautauqua County Humane Society (CCHS) is celebrating its 120th anniversary, having been established on January 9, 1905. As an independent nonprofit, CCHS aims to prevent cruelty to animals and empower the community to improve animals’ lives. Funded by local businesses and community members, CCHS envisions a community where all animals are respected and safe. It provides shelter and an adoption center, with about 900 pets adopted out each year and around seventy animals housed at the shelter at any given time.
On January 9th, 2025, a gala celebration kicked off a year of events commemorating CCHS’s 120th anniversary and was held at the Southern Chautauqua Federal Credit Union Community Training Center in Lakewood. The event featured light hors d’oeuvres and beverages, during which the organization announced its new logo, mission, and vision statements, as well as aspirations for expanding humane education programs and additional services. Celebratory events will continue throughout the year, culminating in a major event at the end of 2025, currently in the planning stages.
The CCHS offers other services beyond facilitating pet adoptions. They operate a pet pantry to provide pet food to families in need within the community. Additionally, there is a Lost and Found for missing pets and support for those experiencing pet loss when their pets pass away. The organization also features humane education programs for local schools and provides shelter tours for field trips.
To sustain the operations at the CCHS and to be able to continue to provide these important services, the CCHS gets much of its revenue through fundraising events. One event is the Pennies for Paws fundraiser, which is a year-round event. Community members can make donations at the shelter, online, or at local businesses that have canisters available.
Please consider attending next week’s fundraiser that is the Second Annual All-Star Hockey Game with Community Through Hockey. It will be held on April 6th at the Northwest Arena in Jamestown from 1-5pm. The game will be between the North and South County All-Stars. Admission is free. The doors open at 1pm, and the game starts at 2pm. In the lobby, there will be adoptable pets to greet visitors. Additionally, there will be baskets for raffle, donated by local businesses and community members.
There is a 50/50 drawing that has already begun, with tickets available for $5 each at CCHS. Tickets will be on sale until the second timeout period of the game. Last year, approximately 250 people attended the event, raising nearly $10,000. The prize for the 50/50 drawing was over $3000!
The CCHS invites you to join them to participate in this fundraiser. If you would like to but a 50/50 ticket or donate a basket for this event, stop by the shelter at 2825 Strunk Road in Jamestown or call (716) 665-2209. CCHS would like to thank the event’s sponsors including the Media One Radio Group, Supportive Divorce Solutions, Kinetic by Windstream, and Shults Auto Group. Their support made this event possible.
In addition to events like this and making monetary donations, there are many other ways you can support CCHS. Some people choose to honor the memory of loved ones by making donations when they pass away. The organization also appreciates donations of pet food, treats, paper towels, blankets, cleaning supplies, and other items from their current needs list, which you can find on their website chqhumane.org. Additionally, individuals can contribute by volunteering, which involves registering online and receiving training to volunteer or to foster animals.
The CCHS’s Director of Fundraising and Communications, Brian Papalia, stated, “We would like to thank all the volunteers and donors for their generous support. We invite everyone in the community to get involved, whether by attending fundraising events or by donating their time or money. We appreciate any type of support you are willing to offer.”
Every animal should be provided a happy and healthy life. Let’s all find a way to support the Chautauqua County Humane Society and its ongoing mission to provide all animals with the quality of life they deserve.