Buffalo, NY, May 11, 2009 - The culmination of events that led to the untimely death of a young cocker spaniel on May 9 has prompted local veterinarians and the SPCA Serving Erie County to remind the community of options for both pet owners in difficult financial circumstances, and for any responsible individuals who identify animals in need of rescue and/or veterinary assistance.

If or when a pet owner can no longer care for his or her pet, there are options other than abandonment or neglect.  The Niagara Frontier Veterinary Society (NFVS) and the SPCA Serving Erie County remind pet owners that individual county SPCAs, the Buffalo City Animal Shelter, and countless other animal welfare and rescue groups are waiting to take over the care of any unwanted pets.  The SPCA Serving Erie County is open Monday through Saturday to admit animals either into its primary Tonawanda facility (205 Ensminger Road, Tonawanda) or temporarily at its satellite location in Angola (1439 Pontiac Road, Angola). 

For more information, visit http://YourSPCA.org, or call 716-875-7360 during business hours. For after-hour animal emergencies in Erie County, call the SPCA at 716-827-1609.

Pet owners not ready to surrender their pets but who may have animals that require medical attention should contact their veterinarians.  Most WNY veterinarians are caring, compassionate professionals who have devoted their lives to helping animals and their owners.  Many belong to the NFVS, a group of more than 175 local veterinarians committed to promoting proper pet health care and public awareness of veterinary services.

This reminder is made in light of circumstances surrounding a severely emaciated male cocker spaniel, just seven pounds and covered in mats, who was found Tuesday, May 5, outside the Anderson Inner City Animal Hospital, 1963 Fillmore Avenue in Buffalo.

A community member, concerned over the dog's intense suffering, called the clinic at 9:00 am and informed an employee that the dog was present outside the building. Dr. Hector Anderson publicly admitted to being aware of the dog’s presence and condition, yet chose to not provide care or shelter to the animal. The dog was still suffering outside the clinic May 6, when the SPCA was contacted. SPCA officials arrived at the scene within minutes, and rushed the dog to its shelter infirmary; despite shelter veterinarians’ attempts at treatment, the dog’s suffering intensified and he was euthanized for humane reasons on Saturday, May 9.

The NFVS is saddened by this recent case of animal abandonment and is disappointed that Dr. Anderson, who is not an NFVS member, did not provide shelter or treatment for the dog.  NFVS members are dedicated to animal health and any member veterinarian would have acted differently.  The NFVS sincerely hopes that WNY pet owners do not lose trust in all veterinarians based on the actions of a single individual.  NFVS veterinarians donate more than a quarter of a million dollars to the community annually through Free First Exam/Healthy Pet programs with the SPCAs, area rescues and pet stores; low cost spay/neuter programs; volunteering at free rabies clinics and America’s Fair; and other programs.  The NFVS also created the Pet Emergency Fund, a 501(c)3 animal assistance organization that helps defray the cost of emergency veterinary care for owners unable to meet the expense of the services (http://petemergencyfund.org).