PAWS TO PONDER

by Suzyn Barron, President of Warwick Valley Humane Society, Inc. 

Did you know our organization and the services we provide are considered a vital aspect of our Town government? As such, being President, I attended the State of the Town address to present to the Town Board a brief report on activity for the year 2025.  This meeting was recorded for the benefit of the community but, for those who do not watch it, I thought this was a good opportunity to share the presentation for those who read this column. 

Animal Control Officers responded to 59 police requests and about 40 resident calls for stray dogs, sick or injured animals, welfare checks, and for assistance with owned pets.   Our ACO’s handled 40 dog bite reports and 65 various dog ordinance complaints, issuing about 30 Notices to Comply for failure to license dogs or comply with the Town’s dog ordinances regarding running at large, damage and destruction to property (using other’s property to eliminate), chasing or harassing, and nuisance barking.   

The shelter admitted 70 dogs consisting of 48 strays, 19 surrenders, 1 abandoned and two seized by court order.   34 dogs found new families to love them, 41 were reunited with their families and 3 elderly, sick dogs in foster homes crossed Rainbow Bridge.  

 159 cats and kittens came through the shelter’s doors last year!  161 were adopted and 29 either died or were euthanized due to severe injuries or illness.    

Our volunteer TNR (trap-neuter-return) feral cat program sterilized and vaccinated over 46 cats from various colonies due to the support of our Feral Fund.  And 140 SNR (spay-neuter-return) low cost certificates for cats were sold thanks to the Town subsidizes this important program. 

54 of 56 seized rabbits from late 2024 were transferred to other animal welfare organizations when the court ordered their relinquishment after 6 months earlier in the year.  However, 11 stray rabbits were subsequently caught and gave birth resulting in a total of 18 intakes in 2025.

One lost and unclaimed ferret was adopted, 29 budgies (like parakeets) were either surrendered or abandoned with 19 adopted and 8 transferred to a rescue. 

Our organization provides free emergency boarding with 15 pets needing temporary housing that included 5 dogs, 5 cats, 2 turtles, 2 guinea pigs and 1 three foot Tegu lizard who grew during his stay! 

In September, Animal Control assisted the O.C. Sheriff in the seizure of 85 assorted species of animals from one residence: 4 dogs, 5 cats, 8 rabbits, 3 hedgehogs, 4 ferrets, 2 degus, 3 bearded dragons, 7 prairie dogs, 3 tortoises, 2 Amazon parrots, 1 hamster, 1 goose, 1 raccoon, 1 mallard duck, 1 starling, 2 hermit crabs, 1 tarantula, 1 corn snake, 3 Call ducks, 15 chickens, 5 peafowl, 1 goat, 3 pigs and a Wallaby.  All of the animals were transferred to another larger organization with the exception of the 4 dogs, 5 cats, the goat and the hamster.  

The adoptions of over 200 animals, the rescues of animals lost or in distress, the surrender of all of the seized animals releasing them for adoption, and the assistance to our community in their times of need were the highlights of 2025.  What a year!   

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