For more than a century, our shelter has been the place our community turns to when animals have nowhere else to go.
Every day, we open our doors to the unwanted, the abandoned, and the neglected—animals who have been forgotten, mistreated, or simply left behind. Some arrive frightened and unsure. Some are injured. Some have never known what it feels like to be safe. We try to help every animal that we can.
Our story began in 1891, when concerned citizens came together to confront the abuse of draft animals, particularly mules, working along the Erie Canal. What started as a mission to protect working animals became something much larger as the needs of the community grew. Over time, our organization evolved into a refuge for domestic animals, providing shelter, medical treatment, and adoption services for thousands of animals each year.
Today, that legacy continues by serving as a vital resource for our community. We provide dog control services, respond to urgent animal welfare situations, and investigate cruelty and neglect cases. We also work to prevent suffering before it begins through humane education programs that teach compassion, responsibility, and respect for all living creatures.
But our mission goes beyond sheltering animals—we also work to keep families together.
Through education and outreach, we help pet owners navigate challenges before they become crises. And through our Pet Food Pantry, we support families who are struggling financially so they don’t have to make the heartbreaking decision to surrender a beloved companion. By providing food and assistance, we help keep pets where they belong: safe at home, loved, and cared for.
Our vision is bold, and it is rooted in action:
We are committed to the investigation, intervention, and prosecution of animal abuse and neglect. We believe cruelty must be confronted, not ignored—and we advocate for stronger enforcement and accountability.
We work to educate the public about the rewards of responsible pet guardianship and the importance of treating every living creature with kindness and respect.
We promote the sterilization of all companion animals to reduce the tragic overpopulation that leads to homelessness, overcrowding, and unnecessary euthanasia. Through programs we develop and propose, we aim to create long-term solutions.
We support legislation that provides maximum protection for animals and ensures severe penalties for those who harm them.
Within our shelter, we strive to create and maintain good living conditions, providing compassionate daily care and medical treatment to the thousands of animals who come through our doors each year.
And above all, we are devoted to what makes every struggle worthwhile: the adoption of these animals into responsible homes, where they will be given the precious gift of a lifetime of love and, in turn, provide the same gift back to their humans.
Like many long-standing organizations, our journey has included difficult chapters. In early 2026, our shelter faced a period of major upheaval when the entire Board of Directors resigned following staff protests over animal care and management concerns. Soon after, a new board was appointed and stepped in with a renewed commitment to transparency, accountability, and fixing the operational issues that had held the organization back.
That moment became a turning point an opportunity to rebuild, refocus, and ensure our shelter continues to meet the standards our community expects and the animals deserve.
Today, we move forward with determination and hope. We are grounded in our history, strengthened by hard lessons, and motivated by the belief that every animal matters.
Because in our community, when an animal has no one else, they have us.
And we will not stop until every animal is safe, cared for, and given the chance to be loved.