In the past five years, the Susquehanna SPCA’s farm animal intake increased by 700%, from 27 animals in 2020 to 216 animals so far this year.
The SQSPCA has cared for more than 20 species of animals this year, including 10 species of farm animals ranging from guinea hens to a yak, according to information from the animal shelter.
On Tuesday, Oct. 7, SQSPCA Executive Director Stacie Haynes announced the acquisition of a farm in Middlefield and the launch of the Safe Pasture Project — providing a safe space for veterinary care and potential adopters to meet farm animals, including horses, cows, goats, sheep, poultry and pigs.
The new farm will provide veterinary care through farm manager Samantha Ceresna, who is a licensed veterinary technician, and a full-time large animal veterinarian.
The 26-acre property was purchased through donations from Beth and Gary Glynn, and an anonymous donor. There are two large pastures and a smaller pasture. There are six stalls in one barn and a large stall in another barn.
Since the Animal Cruelty Task Force formed 2018, the SQSPCA has saved thousands of animals and cared for more than 500 farm animals, through collaborative efforts with law enforcement and veterinary clinics.
“You might ask, how that was possible when we didn’t have a farm,” Haynes said. “The answer is, our farm friends network … They are the backbone of our farm work.”
The SQSPCA plans to form a farm friends advisory panel and continue to rely on foster homes when space fills up at the farm, or when an animal that’s part of a law enforcement investigation needs a safe and secure location that’s not open to the public.
Haynes also said she was proud of the dedication shown by the SQSPCA staff.
“They aren’t afraid of this hard work,” she said. “They will trudge through a mud-filled barn to rescue pigs. They will load unhandled horses at midnight, when it’s 10 degrees. They will do whatever it takes to help animals.”
Since partnering with Otsego County agencies, including the Sheriff’s Office, Emergency Services and District Attorney, as well as New York State Police, there’s been an increase in reported animal cruelty cases.
Otsego County Sheriff Richard Devlin said that could be attributable to heightened awareness of the problem.
“We get a lot of calls we go to, and there really isn’t any cruelty, but people are aware, and they’re looking around and reporting things they feel isn’t right,” Devlin said. “We’ve helped a lot of animals … But not only that, we wanted to help the owners. Let the owners know that there’s an outlet for them. There’s a place where you can get help before it gets to the point that we’ve got to come in and do our job. And that’s been successful, too.”
The SPCA aims to expand its services, including a pet pantry and wellness clinic. Donations to the Safe Pasture Project can be mailed in or made online at sqspca.org.