Support
Volunteer
We have many volunteer opportunities at the shelter and are always happy to add new members to our team! There are many different options and we will ensure to match you where your interests and skills fit best. Volunteer areas include but are not limited to:
- Dog Enrichment
- Cat Enrichment
- Animal Care/Cleaning
- Front Desk/Office
- Outreach & Events
Volunteer Request Form
Fill out the form below to connect with a member of our staff about volunteering!
Foster
What does it mean to foster?
Fostering means temporarily providing a home outside of the shelter for a variety of reasons, including:
- The animal is not old enough for adoption.
- The shelter environment is not a great fit for the animal and their needs.
- The animal needs particular care and attention that would be easier met in a household setting.
Inquiry Form
Animal Fostering Frequently Asked Questions
What are the requirements for fostering an animal?
There are only a few requirements necessary to be a member of our foster team!
- Fosters must be over the age of 18.
- Fosters must have a space in their home where they can isolate their foster animals from their own animals, such as a spare bedroom or bathroom.
- Fosters must be able to bring their foster animals to the shelter for regular check ups and as needed with our medical team.
- Some animals require more of a time/attention commitment than others. For example, orphaned neonatal kittens require bottle feeding every two hours, but litters with mom who are eating well need significantly less hands-on time.
How long is the fostering process?
If you are fostering kittens or puppies, they will typically return to the shelter for sterilization surgery and adoption at eight weeks old.
Animals needing socialization or specialized care may need a foster home from just a few weeks to a few months depending on their situation.
Tell us about your lifestyle, and we will only set you up with fosters that are compatible with your home and daily schedule!
What if I can't commit to fostering long-term but want to help?
Our Foster Field Trip Program just might be the perfect fit for you! Scroll down on this page to learn more!
What do I do in an emergency?
In the event of a medical emergency during during business hours, fosters are advised to email our Medical Coordinator (email listed on the bottom of foster agreement). For any emergencies after hours, our fosters are provided with a link to communicate directly with a veterinarian.
How can I help my foster animal find a home?
We ask that you advertise your foster pet as much as you can and spread the word about all the wonderful qualities you have noticed in your foster pet!
Post on your personal Facebook, Instagram, and other social media pages! In your posts, include:
- Quality pictures of your foster.
- The best qualities you’ve noticed about your pet.
- Different populations your foster pet has experience with, and how they are with that specific population (Good with kids, wary of men, etc.).
- Any likes/dislikes your foster animal.
- When your foster will be available for adoption .
- Tag us in your posts!
- You’re also more than welcome to send us pictures and tales from your own experiences with your foster pet to help us find the best home for them as we can.
Foster Field Trip Program
The Foster Field Trip Program invites members of the community to give a dog a break from the shelter environment for the day to relieve the stress of being in a kennel, often going on hikes, or to get a pup-cup!
Maybe you can’t have a dog in your apartment but you love spending time with them or maybe you just want to give a homeless dog the best day ever. Whatever your circumstances may be, we encourage you to consider our Foster Field Trip Program!
If you’re interested, all you need to do is stop by to chat with one of our team members about your plans for the day, and we’ll help pick the perfect pup to accompany you! We will provide any needed supplies and just ask that you bring your new four-legged friend back before 5pm that day. If you can, take lots of pictures that we can share with potential adopters to help the dog you spoiled for the day find their family!
For more information, give us a call at 607-547-8111 or email [email protected].
Donations of Materials & Supplies
There are a number of supplies that we never seem to have enough of to keep our shelter running. Please consider bringing any of the items below to our shelter during our normal business hours, Tuesday through Saturday from 11 am to 5 pm. There is a shelf available outside our building labeled for shelter donations that is checked multiple times per day, or you can bring the items inside and visit with animals!
Items We Always Need
- Paper Towels
- 39 Gallon Garbage Bags
- Dishwasher Pods
- Laundry Detergent
- Dry Dog and Cat Food
- Puppy and Kitten Food
- Blankets & Towels
- Canned Cat Food
- Canned Dog Food
- Cat & Dog Treats
- Cat & Dog Toys
- Horse Treats
- Horse Fly Spray
- Goat Feed Pellets
- All Flock Pellets
- Horse Bedding (Flakes)
- Clay Cat Litter (Non-clumping)
Donate
The Susquehanna SPCA, a regional animal resource center providing assistance to animals in need across multiple counties, relies on the support of donations to operate effectively throughout the year. Every contribution helps us accomplish our goals of providing temporary housing and medical care (including spay and neuter) to homeless animals and finding them permanent loving families.
Support Our Mission Today
Donations can be made securely online by using the form below or mailed to PO Box 267, Cooperstown, NY 13326.
There are more ways to give. Look into other support options on our Ways to Give page.
