Wanderers’ Rest Humane Association volunteer Butch Hall of Chittenango poses with one of several cats in the cat room at the shelter. (Submitted photo by Mike Jaquays)
(Canastota, NY – Oct. 2014) News of a recent surge in animal drop-offs at the Wanderers’ Rest Humane Association has prompted the Sherrill-based Gorman Foundation to donate $5,000 to the facility.
Gorman Foundation president Amanda Larson said when she heard the statistics of more than 700 cats and more than 500 dogs being taken in by mid-year, she was moved to help support the shelter. Larson admitted she couldn’t imagine what the local community would be like with these animals left on the loose.
“We wanted to donate to Wanderers’ Rest after hearing about their involvement in several animal hoarding cases,” Larson said. “Knowing they are the only open drop-off shelter in Madison County, we have seen them become inundated with unwanted animals. Their facility is very outdated and can’t keep up with the volume of animals being dropped off at their center. They need public support to expand their building so they can better accommodate the increase in animals.”
The Gorman Foundation in the past has supported the shelter with $10,250 in grants, earmarked for safety and disease prevention equipment and a special air exchange system to prevent the spread of airborne illnesses between animals, Larson said. She applauded Wanderers’ Rest for offering Madison County a refuge for all stray and unwanted cats and dogs.
If those animals didn’t have a safe place to go, many would most likely die either by being hit by a car, starving, or freezing in the winter months – Wanderers’ Rest offers a humane refuge for these animals, Larson said.
Her favorite part of Wanderers’ Rest is their cat room.
“I love seeing all the cats socialize and nap in that room,” Larson said. “I think they could charge admission for people to come and just relax with all those wonderful cats.”
Larson has three rescued cats of her own, who came into her family as strays. If anything ever happened to one of them, she would be at Wanderers’ Rest “in a heartbeat” to adopt another, she said.
“I think everyone should adopt a pet,” Larson said. “I have three rescued cats that provide my family with humor, companionship and entertainment. If you can’t adopt an animal, you should donate to the shelter so they can care for as many animals as possible.”
Lewis Carinci, president of the Wanderers’ Rest board of directors, offered kudos for the donation.
“I would first of all like to thank Amanda and the Gorman Foundation for their continued support not only for Wanderers’ Rest Humane Association but every organization they help,” he said. “With their help, many people and animals prosper.”
Wanderers’ Rest executive director Linda DeMuro said the Gorman funds will be used for the care of their many animals. DeMuro said she appreciates the Gorman Foundation’s donation, and now hopes others will be inspired to also reach out to their four-legged friends in need.
“The Gorman Foundation’s generous contribution of $5,000 will definitely help, and now we’d like to see other donors step up to the plate and match it,” DeMuro said.
For more information on donating or volunteering with Wanderers’ Rest, visit www.wanderersrest.org.