Unfortunately, resources were limited. The town’s animal control facility was temporarily closed for construction, and the local humane society was already at capacity. With no clear place to bring the animals, Officer Treem was left with few options and an urgent need to find help.

Treem began networking out, taking a few cats at a time to shelters in the area and farther out. Then, Treem called Lollypop Farm, nearly two hours away. Without hesitation, the Lollypop Farm Foster and Rescue team jumped into action to help take 22 cats from the case.

The frightened felines were transported over 100 miles to Lollypop Farm. Many were infested with fleas and suffering from ear mites, but remarkably, they were otherwise in good health. Here, each one was given comfort, care, and the promise of a better tomorrow.

Thanks to Lollypop Farm’s incredible foster network, these furry friends didn’t have to stay in the shelter for long. Most of them are kittens, just months old, who are now in foster care learning to trust people and settle into home life. Once they’re ready, they’ll be looking for families to love them. Their journey is only possible because compassionate people came together. It’s the generosity of fosters, donors, and supporters like you that empowers Lollypop Farm to respond in moments of crisis and to make a lasting impact on animal welfare across New York State.

Lollypop Farm often tries to help when other shelters are full or emergencies arise, because every pet deserves a second chance — no matter where they come from. With many rescues and shelters often at capacity, providing support to each other can help save more lives. Our Rescue and Transport Coordinator, Susie, works daily to connect animals with opportunities for healing and hope, whether that means finding them help elsewhere or bringing them here to Lollypop Farm.

Please note: the investigation in this case is ongoing and part of the New Hartford Police Department’s jurisdiction. Thanks to the hard work from Animal Control Officer Treem and the team in New Hartford, 54 cats have been removed from the property as of July 25th, and more traps have been set in case more are hiding. Charges have been filed, but are still pending.

There are so many ways to get involved and help animals find the loving homes they deserve. Learn how you can adopt, foster, or donate to help pets like these find the loving homes they deserve.

The post From New Hartford to Lollypop Farm: 22 Cats Transport Journey appeared first on Lollypop Farm.

The phrase “community cats” refers to different groups of felines living outside. Feral cats were most likely born outside and are not socialized to people, unable to live as pets inside the home. There are also cats who spend some or all of their time outside, but are friendly to people–they may even go home to a caretaker at night or have a route of porches where they get fed. Stray cats are indoor pets who end up outside for a time while their caretakers are looking for them. You can learn more about community cats here. 

Community Cats–Friend or Foe?
A criticism that’s often levied against community cats, as was done in the column, is their role in the decline in bird populations. There’s no denying that cats can and do kill birds–they are predatory animals, and hunting is a natural feline behavior.  Unfortunately, cats are often solely blamed for their effects on wildlife without also considering the impact of humans through habitat loss and environmental degradation. Two other major effects on birds are collisions with windows and automobiles. 

There are also concerns about the nuisance behaviors of community cats in our neighborhoods. Using a garden as a litter box, digging in someone’s yard or garden, jumping on someone’s car, and upsetting an owned cat are some of the concerns about community cats.

Despite these challenges, we believe that we can compassionately coexist with the cats in our community. Feral cats, who will never comfortably live in a home, still deserve to live a life free of pain and suffering. 

TNVR–A Humane Management Approach
Reducing outdoor cat populations is not as simple as keeping cats inside or trying to secure cats on a cable. While our dream would be a soft bed and a home for every kitty, this just isn’t realistic for all community cats. The population of community cats in the US is estimated in the tens of millions, many of whom are feral and will never be kept as a pet indoors. They then produce around 80 percent of the kittens born outside each year, which only snowballs the number of community cats and problems associated with them.

Lollypop Farm, along with humane organizations across the world, supports a proven and humane way to help address this community problem. And no, it’s not insane or absurd. 

TNVR stands for Trap – Neuter – Vaccinate – Release of community cats. This is a proven practice where community cats are trapped by animal advocates for the purposes of spaying or neutering, vaccination, and ear-tipping prior to being returned outside. 

The TNVR approach is proven to manage and reduce community cat populations over time. By sterilizing at least 75% of the cats in a group within a six-month period, TNVR helps to reduce the number of cats according to ASPCA. Not only does this limit nuisance behaviors such as spraying, excessive noisemaking, and fighting, but sterilizing the population eliminates their ability to produce kittens and over time decreases the population. Learn more about why TNVR works. 

Not a Quick “Fix” but YOU Can Help
If fixing cats was the only solution needed to reduce community cat populations, we’d be well on our way. In 2020, Lollypop Farm alone sterilized 1,164 community cats, along with 2,127 pet cats, and 3,697 cats who were surrendered to the shelter. Think about the number of organizations in the Rochester area that are also spaying and neutering cats, and thousands more across the country doing the same thing. That’s a lot of fixing!

The truth is organizations like Lollypop Farm can’t do it alone–we need animal lovers like you to help. The community cat issue is a complex problem that requires all of us to help cats and in turn our wildlife. 

Here is what you can do:  

1. Become a community cat caretaker. In order for TNVR to work, someone needs to monitor and care for the target colony. The cats need to be fed and provided water and shelter in order to ensure the population doesn’t roam away. They’ll also be less likely to hunt if they don’t need to search for their own food. Cat caretakers also watch and address new intact cats joining the group. 
2. Help an already established caretaker. You may have read the above and thought “Wow, that’s a lot of work.” And the truth is, you’re not wrong. These life-saving individuals can use all the help they can get. Whether it’s feeding, trapping, transporting to the vet, providing temporary housing after surgery, or fostering found kittens to find them traditional indoor homes, you could make a big difference in a caretaker’s ability to manage the population they are helping. 
3. Help keep cats out of the shelter. Friendly cats can often be rehomed outside of the shelter environment providing more space for cats who face challenges to adoption. Or if the cat is feral and fearful, look up TNVR resources in our community, like Lollypop Farm to keep that cat from further contributing to the population. 
4. Microchip and spay/neuter pets. Stray cats who are not microchipped very infrequently make their way back home. In fact, only 7% ever make it home. Microchipping with a collar and ID tag greatly increases the likelihood of a cat returning to their families. Also spay and neutering pets, even if they are only ever indoors, is so important. It decreases their desire to roam and in turn go missing. It also ensures that if they ever are out in the community they aren’t contributing to the outdoor cat population. 

The issue of community cats is indeed serious–one that we have a proven approach to and ways for all of us to be part of the solution. Together, we can protect not only our wildlife but future generations of cats who deserve to live a pampered life on the cat tree inside. Join us!

Read Lollypop Farm’s position statement on Community Cats.

Learn about Lollypop Farm’s Community Cat TNVR Program.

The post Community Solutions to Cats Living in Our Community appeared first on Lollypop Farm.

Why Do Dogs Go Into Foster Care?

We place dogs in foster care for several reasons. Many are recovering from illness or injury, and resting in a relaxing environment is just what the veterinarian ordered. Some dogs may even be on mandatory rest and unable to bounce around. For these pets especially, constant company and supervision are necessary to ensure they get better.

Other dogs may be following behavior plans to work on challenges before adoption. From separation anxiety to stranger danger, some behaviors need extra help before transitioning to a new family. Unfortunately, many of these issues are made worse by the stress of a shelter environment. Having volunteers willing to work with dogs in a calm, supportive environment–without barking neighbors and tons of smells–can make a huge difference!.

Shelter stays aren’t for everyone. Between the smells, the sounds, the confinement, and the routine of people coming in and out, being in a shelter can be downright stressful for some pets. For these pets, particularly large dogs, longer hold periods don’t translate to settling in or relaxing in the shelter environment. Fostering can mean a world of difference and save them from a lot of stress.

Why Large-Breed Dogs
A lot of the dogs who come to Lollypop Farm are large, mixed-breed dogs. Our shelter teams and volunteers do a great job getting them out as much as possible. But the truth is for many of these big furry friends, rest and recovery go best when they have more space to be themselves.

Lollypop Farm is very fortunate to have many foster care volunteers ready to help the thousands of cats and kittens coming through the shelter. But our larger dogs are often on the foster plea for a long time, waiting. We need someone like YOU to scoop these big boys up and give them a chance for rest and recovery in a home environment where their true personalities can shine.

But you will not be alone. Not one step of this journey is without our support. Our Foster Care Coordinator, Behavior and Training Staff, and Veterinary Team are all here to help you every step of this journey with every dog you foster. You will receive the supplies, training, and support you need to make you and your foster dog successful.

Would I Make a Good Foster Care Volunteer?

If you are willing to open your home and have time to care for a pet, you will make a FANTASTIC foster care volunteer. That being said, every pet has unique needs. Some timid pets may do best with a confident dog already in the house. Other pets may have a history of being very selective in making dog friends and prefer to be the only pet. Some still may need an adult-only home if they are easily scared by the loud noises and quick motions small children tend to make.

Not ready to make a lifetime commitment to a pet? Fostering a dog could be perfect for you! It’s not a lifetime commitment, but it is a commitment that will help save a life.

What if I Fail?

We hear it a lot. “I could NEVER foster! I would bring them home.” First off, if you “foster fail” (and honestly, we hate that term), it’s because you fell in love. You fell in love so much that you decided to make this pet a part of your family. And that is something we never say we are sorry for. Maybe “you’re welcome” …but never an apology.

MANY volunteers are fulfilled by knowing that they were the bridge between homeless and home. Foster care volunteers don’t adopt every pet they meet, and it’s not because they are superhuman (although we think they are pretty super). They know their foster pet will find the family meant for them. They trust that every pet makes it to a family who will give them lots of love and care in the ways they need it most.

We know the first foster is the hardest, and our foster coordinator Pat will be there to see you every step of the way. The first time and every time! We want you to succeed as a foster, and whether it’s supplying you with dog food, behavior advice, or just counseling you through an emotional goodbye–we’re there for you.

Ready to Learn More?

We could go on and on about fostering. (It’s one of our favorite topics!) But if you want to learn more, visit: https://www.lollypop.org/foster/animals/dogs/ and check out the FAQ.

Ready to Become a Foster Care Volunteer?

Head over to https://www.lollypop.org/foster/animals/dogs/ to sign up to help these big, beautiful dogs!

The post Wanted: Foster Volunteers for Large-Breed Dogs appeared first on Lollypop Farm.

Rescued from a house fire in Perinton, NY earlier this year, this 2-year-old feline friend came to Lollypop Farm in very rough shape. Rutile was removed from the home with 90+ other cats, many suffering from burns, smoke inhalation, and other injuries sustained during the fire. (Learn more about this rescue effort here.)

Aside from being covered in soot from the fire, Rutile had singed whiskers and fur, burned ears, an upper respiratory infection, and terrible burns on all four of his paws. He needed daily-medicated treatments for his paws and to have them wrapped as they healed. Rutile was such a good sport, and let the team in our Klingenstein Veterinary Clinic take every measure necessary to ensure that his injuries from the fire would heal.

However, that wasn’t the end of Rutile’s medical needs here in the clinic at Lollypop Farm. Rutile began having sinus issues and trouble eating. Upon further examination, we discovered that Rutile had a soft palate hole in the roof of his mouth that required surgery. Likely, the result of a congenital deformity, Rutile had several surgeries at Lollypop Farm to repair his cleft. After each surgery, he was closely monitored to make sure that he could properly eat his food and keep his esophagus clear. Rutile may always have some issues with eating, but he is well on his way to a better quality of life.

Because Rutile spent so much time here at Lollypop Farm, he became great friends with lots of different staff members and volunteers! And they noticed something special about him—Rutile has a perfect little white heart on his back! Whether he’s playing with a wand toy, cuddling up for snuggles, or lounging in a sunbeam, you can always clearly see the little heart right in the middle of this sweet cat’s back. Rutile truly is a special guy!

There are so many pets just like Rutile who come to the shelter in need of long-term expensive care. We have you, our friends and supporters, to thank for making their second chances possible. Soon, Rutile will be made available for adoption—and we know this little feline friend will have SO much love to share with his new family.

Meet cats waiting for homes: www.lollypop.org/adopt

Make a gift in support of pets in need like Rutile: www.lollypop.org/donate

Rutile was also recently featured on the website LoveMeow.com because of his adorable markings! Check out their story about him here.

The post This cat with a heart on his back is looking for love! appeared first on Lollypop Farm.

Sadly though, on the worst days working at Lollypop Farm, sometimes our best effort isn’t enough. On those days, the word no one likes to mention gets used: euthanasia. Those days break our hearts. On the days when there is nothing left to do but do our best to provide compassionate care to end a pet’s suffering.

Lloyd, a15-year-old Halflinger, was surrendered to a Lollypop Farm Humane Law Enforcement Investigator in very rough condition. Farm and Equine staff got right to work and arranged to have a large animal veterinarian meet them at Lollypop Farm to check on Lloyd’s condition. With gentle hands and kind hearts, our team helped the veterinarian to perform an initial exam and comfort Lloyd through this stressful time.

Lloyd was skinny and there was little left of his right eye. It must have been damaged or even ruptured at some point in his life. As they examined, they found lumps around the eye that were abnormal, and then the veterinarian ran their hand down Lloyd’s face and found a mass.

There was a collective sigh from the group and a moment of silence. A biopsy would need to be taken. The group gave small smiles and reminded each other of the small hope that maybe it wasn’t cancer. Maybe it wouldn’t be too close to his brain. Maybe sweet Lloyd could still be saved.

For a week, we provided gentle loving care to Lloyd as we waited on labs. The results came: Lloyd’s condition was terminal, and Lloyd was in pain. The heartbreaking decision to humanely euthanize Lloyd was made. The days were long and filled with tears. But still, when faced with nothing left to do but alleviate his suffering, the equine team remained focused on what they could provide sweet Lloyd. He was showered with delicious treats of applesauce and pureed carrot. He was given sweet pats and head nuzzles and told what a good boy he had been. Our team did everything they could to make his last days the best days of his life. They even bought him some special peppermint mash, a special treat to enjoy before we had to say goodbye.

So yes, we love our jobs. We LOVE doing everything we can to provide lifesaving care and second chances to every animal who arrives at our door. But the truth is sometimes the best we can do is give an animal peace and an end to their suffering. We don’t like to talk about those heartbreaking days, because we worry that others might not understand or be angry.

But it’s important to talk about it. While there are days with happy tails wagging and kittens purring and horses playing in the paddocks, there are also sad days at Lollypop Farm. Where doing everything we can to help every pet get the care they need breaks our hearts.

The post The Sad Days at Lollypop Farm appeared first on Lollypop Farm.