SPCA of Tompkins County executive director Jim Bouderau announced that six area foundations have made grants to support important shelter services and programs.

“Our deepest gratitude goes to each and every funder. Their generosity is simply wonderful!”

The Helen Thomas Howland Foundation as administered by the Community Foundation of Tompkins County granted $5,000 to the SPCA in renewed support of the SPCA Annex at The Shops at Ithaca Mall. Bouderau stated: “The Howland Foundation has done a lot for the SPCA over the year, and their support of one of our newest ventures, the adoption center at the mall, is instrumental in reducing the length of a cat’s stay at the shelter and improving the health of shelter cats.”

The Tompkins Trust Company also made $5,000 gift in support of the Annex in honor of executive vice president Francis E. Benedict’s retirement. “Wow!” says Bouderau. “We are thrilled that Fran directed his retirement honorarium to us, and know that the Trust Company was also inspired by our recent $25,000 match challenge. Again, the Annex is so important for our adoption services to continue successfully.”

The Legacy Foundation of Tompkins County granted $2,500 for a commercial hot water heater in the shelter’s Rescue building. “Trying to keep all of the kennels, cages, and bedding clean with an antiquated residential hot water heater was a disaster. The new commercial heater has already been installed and is an enormous improvement for the health and safety of all of the animals whose first stop at the shelter is in the Rescue building.”

Autodesk, Inc, granted $750, Paul Klingenstein Family Foundation granted $2,000, and a portion of a $10,000 Park Foundation grant will all fund various items in the shelter’s “Tool Kit to Prevent Animal Cruelty.” Equipment needs of the humane investigation unit of the shelter range from kind traps and uniforms to ‘temperature guns’ that can measure extreme heat or cold in a locked vehicle. “Cruelty investigations are core to our work, but are often unfunded. The support of these three agencies will really help us save lives” says Bouderau. “People say ‘cruelty happens in our own backyard’ but I’ve got to tell you, we want people to realized it happens here in Tompkins County every day and we are doing all we can to put an end to it.”

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