BY: ALEXIS GARMONG, CONTRIBUTING WRITER
The Cattaraugus County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) needs to meet a $6 million goal to build a new facility in compliance with the New York State Companion Animal Care Standards Act, according to SPCA Executive Director Kellie Roberts. The most revenue the shelter has made in the last five years was $863,552 in 2024, according to public financial records.
In 2022, before Roberts joined the organization in 2024, word spread through the animal welfare community that the state was going to pass new welfare standards.
“There was no way the current building was ever going to meet [the new welfare standards],” said Roberts. “[The building] was allowed to deteriorate to the point where there is no degree of remodeling that can be done and meet the standards.”
Being an active member of the animal welfare community and originally from Jamestown, Roberts heard about the Cattaraugus County SPCA’s struggles and decided to get involved.
“It felt like it was a place where I could make a big difference,” said Roberts.
After hiring an architect, Roberts learned that the estimated cost of the new facility would be about $6 million. To try to meet this goal, the board developed the Claws and Paws Capital Campaign, a community-based fundraising effort, according to the Cattaraugus County SPCA website.
Roberts said the new facility must include non-porous, non-toxic, and water-resistant surfaces with adequate drainage; space for animals to stretch and lie down away from food, water and elimination areas; lighting in animal housing areas that offer eight hours each of light and dark in a 24-hour cycle; proper segregation of dogs and cats to reduce cats’ exposure to barking and decrease stress and anxiety; isolation areas for any animal with an infectious disease; noise decibels of 85 or below and rust-free dog kennel fencing and doors.
“The $6 million figure is a starting point for fundraising purposes based on a cost per square foot standard for animal shelters,” said Roberts. “There is no excess or frills built into that number.”
Meghan Lex, club coordinator of St. Bonaventure University’s SBU @ SPCA club, said the campaign is a lofty but necessary endeavor because of the importance of the SPCA in the community.
“There are smaller rescues in the area, but the SPCA provides the most animal rescue services in Cattaraugus County,” said Roberts.
While the shelter needs to comply with the new standards, New York State is allowing shelters one “educational year” to raise money and make adjustments. Since the legislation went into effect in Dec. 2025, the shelter has nine months left, according to the Cattaraugus County SPCA website.
Roberts said that the state has not given the shelter a closing date, but the shelter will ultimately not be able to operate if it does not meet the new standards.
“[Without the SPCA], we would face serious problems of overpopulation, diseases, and animal death,” said Isabella Potter, a Cattaraugus SPCA volunteer and Allegany SPCA employee.
In 2024, the shelter brought in 380 cats and 160 dogs that, without the SPCA, would still be on the streets of Cattaraugus or in dangerous home situations.
Michael Gillespie, Cattaraugus County SPCA Operations Manager, said that the Claws and Paws Capital Campaign has raised $700,000 so far from donors who wish to remain anonymous.
Roberts said the campaign is still in the “quiet” stage, meaning the work they are doing is mostly behind the scenes and that the campaign will enter the public phase when 60-70% of the goal has been raised.
One member of the Cattaraugus community, a student in the SBU @ SPCA club, is aware of the campaign and has taken steps to help. Sadie Hitzges, a freshman, said that she started a GoFundMe to help the SPCA with medical bills and future renovations. Hitzges set a $1,000 goal and has raised $755 so far.
While the current building is still in operation, some improvements have been made, such as a new roof, HVAC system, and attic insulation, according to the Cattaraugus County SPCA website.
“Improvements like these ultimately mean better care for the animals and resources for the shelter,” said Sophia Segrue, SBU @ SPCA club coordinator.
Still, the shelter needs $5.3 million to reach its goal.
“There is much more work to be done,” said Roberts.
