Animal Welfare – Paws for Concern That job is for the dogs…and the cats too, for that matter! Such is the case for Shannon Laukhuf, Executive Director of the SPCA of Westchester – but she’s not complaining about it one bit. Not that many of the residents would listen, they’re too busy greeting smiling visitors and potential adoptive families with wagging tails and tickling whiskers – a far cry from their “former” life, often having suffered abuse and/or abandonment at the hands of a previous owner, or from uncontrollable acts of nature like Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.The numbers are staggering. For starters, how about 50,000? That’s the number of animals the SPCA of Westchester has provided services for in the last 25 years. As the only humane society in the county empowered to enforce animal cruelty laws (an unthinkable average of 3,500 cases per year), it’s quite an accomplishment, considering the non-profit doesn’t receive a dime from Uncle Sam, New York State, or the County for that matter -- relying instead on the generosity of volunteers, and the much needed financial gifts from both individuals and benevolent corporate sponsors. Shannon, a communications major and graduate of Hofstra University should know a thing or two about some of the other numbers needed to run a successful non-profit. Having served as the organization’s Director of Development the previous four years, her tenure in a similar position at the environmentally-minded Teatown Lake Reservation in Ossining, and the affable qualities of an effective community leader advocating animal rights, made Shannon a logical choice to assume the organization’s directorship in 2007. After sitting down to discuss some of the organization’s programs in greater detail, I quickly became aware of the intrinsic value the SPCA plays in the health and welfare of a vibrant, diverse community as Westchester.  Because the facility has the capacity to shelter up to 200 animals at any given time, additional means of getting the word out to potential adoptive families, information regarding affordable spay and neutering services, and providing both the community and professionals alike with up-to-date information regarding pet care, a creative endeavor called “Pet Tales” was launched this past summer on GO-TV, Central Westchester’s cable access Channel 74. The weekly program airs on Wednesdays at 8:30 pm, and is hosted by SPCA volunteer Mary Prenon. Not only is it informative, but adds a unique “voice” on the behalf of our fine, furry friends.The organization also implements a daily program they call “Golden Outreach” - whose primary purpose is to provide companionship using specially-trained animals from the shelter to those individuals in Westchester who reside in hospitals, retirement facilities, and group homes, in addition to the developmentally disabled and those suffering from mental illness. The belief that interaction between an incapacitated or special needs individual and a carefully selected/trained pet, greatly improves one’s mental and physical well-being is gradually being recognized in many clinical settings, and is one in which the SPCA truly stands behind. On April 26th, 2008, the organization is holding one of its premiere community outreach events, the Wags & Whiskers Walk-A-Thon & Pet Fair. Held from 10 am to 2 pm on the beautiful grounds of FDR State Park (just off the Taconic Parkway in Yorktown, New York), the outdoor festival brings adults, kids, and pets together for a fun-filled day of games, arts and crafts, live music, and of course the highlight of the event, a three mile walk-a-thon along specially-marked wooded trails. Even persons without a dog (myself included), may request to walk one of the SPCA’s featured adoptive animals that day. Having previously attended the event on several occasions, it truly has been heartwarming to witness so many like-minded, generous individuals from the community gather for a few hours to raise awareness and money for such an important cause.  To volunteer, sponsor, or make a gift for this or any other event/program run by the SPCA of Westchester, you can contact them using the information provided below.It is with great pleasure that I celebrate the contributions of Ms. Shannon Laukhuf and the SPCA of Westchester for this next installment of Season of the Sol. A generous donation has been made to the organization in her honor.
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