BY CASSIDEY KAVATHAS ASSOCIATE EDITOR
The SBU@SPCA, a program based out of St. Bonaventure University’s Franciscan Center for Social Concern, provides voices to the barkful and meowtastic. Bonaventure students travel to the Cattaraugus County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals to help the staff take care of the various animals at the shelter.
“One thing that makes this shelter unique is that they are a humane no-kill shelter that relies on the work and donations of volunteers to function and sustain the high number of animal intakes they receive,” said Caitlin Cullinane, a senior environmental studies major who minors in biology and visual arts.
These animals seen at the shelter often come from cases of being abused, neglected, abandoned or surrendered. The shelter provides enrichment, nourishment, housing and medical services to the animals they take in until they are adopted.
“From helping the animals socialize and getting them out of their kennels, to aiding with cleaning to alleviate some stress from the staff, SBU@SPCA is a dedicated group that is committed to living out the Franciscan mission,” said Audrey Welcyng, a sophomore finance major.
Representatives from the SBU@SPCA program, which has over 150 members, visit the shelter in groups every weekend to help socialize the animals through play and exercise and other tasks such as cleaning around the facility. The program also plans to hold workshops focused on toy and blanket making as well as hosting donation drives later in the year.
“Our main goal is to improve the lives of the shelter animals until they can go to their forever home,” said Cullinane.
Cullinane said she feels that shelters like the SPCA and volunteers from SBU@SPCA are important as she owns a German shepherd from a shelter near her home.
“Animals are given a second chance at life and an opportunity to be loved and cherished. Some animals are not as lucky and unfortunately are surrendered to kill shelters that are forced to euthanize animals after a certain period of time,” said Cullinane. “I love being able to be part of the journey each animal at the SPCA makes until their adoption, and I know the volunteer work we do genuinely improves their lives until they can go home.”
Instilling hope and providing positive human interaction for the animals at the shelter is a key task felt by every volunteer.
“The SPCA has a committed group within the community. I often see familiar faces,” said Welcyng. “One older woman comes in nearly every Saturday and will find the smallest, scaredest kitten. She bundles it up in a towel and walks around with it, showing it what the world looks like and more importantly that humans can help and be a source of positivity.”
The cuddly cats and dogs also leave their paw prints on the hearts of the students who spend time with them.
“The SPCA is a great place for students to visit to volunteer and destress from school,” said Cullinane. “The shelter is also popular among students looking to adopt pets or emotional support animals. I have quite a few friends and even know some professors who have adopted from the SPCA.”
The SBU@SPCA receives a majority of its funding through the FCSC. The Tuesday after Thanksgiving is known as Giving Tuesday and encourages donations to charities.
“Our club’s outreach is funded by the money raised on Giving Tuesday each year,” said Cullinane. “This includes the cost for maintenance of the vans that we use to travel to the shelter, materials and food for club events and workshops, production of club merchandise, and most importantly, donations to the animal shelter itself.”
