Announcing the 2024 Photo Contest Winner
Our pet photo contest has concluded, and we would like to thank all the pet parents and animal lovers who entered this year’s contest. It was overwhelming to see the love you have for your pets! We would also like to thank the thousands of voters who showed their love in a BIG way!
The winner of this year’s pet photo contest is Watson! Watson’s human, Michael Avery, shares the story of Watson’s difficult beginnings as a stray who found a loving home and an amazing life.
Watson’s Rough Start - day one and day two photos
Watson was picked up by Animal Control wandering in a suburb of Rochester during the winter of January 2022. He was filthy, overgrown, and underweight, likely from being alone in the cold for so long. Watson was unclaimed, and if it weren't for the GRASP rescue group (Greece Residents Assisting Stray Animals), he would have been euthanized. Sadly, in that area, animals unclaimed after the standard holding time are routinely euthanized. GRASP was founded almost 30 years ago as a bridge between abandoned, unclaimed animals and finding their loving forever homes.
Watson’s life is now filled with joy and love!
Today, Watson is living his best life! He is the receptionist at Michael Avery & Co. Hair Studio, and his customers rallied the votes for him. Watson also pays it forward by being the best foster brother to new dogs rescued by GRASP as they spend time in the laps of clients in the salon! Watson is granting the $1,000 donation to GRASP. He is also the recipient of a $100 Chewy gift card, which he is generously forwarding to GRASP so they can save more little lives.
GRASP has rescued nearly 500 dogs and cats this year, 3,000 since 2018, and countless thousands more since their founding in 1996. To learn more about the work they do or how you can help, visit https://www.graspinc.org/. Scroll down to find just some of the many shelter and rescue groups that need support. This list is posted year-round, so if you know of a rescue that is missing from the list, please message us at marketing@williammattar.com. There are far too many for us to keep track of, so we depend on animal lovers like you to help.
We would like to thank Michael for sharing Watson’s story. We know there are so many other animals who have similar starts but are lucky enough to find happy endings.
We would also like to congratulate Pepper, our second-place pet. She’s an adorable little superhero who no doubt brings her family so much happiness. Pepper’s human, Kari Delmonte, will receive a $50 Chewy gift card to pick out new toys and treats for her.
With the countless number of animals still without homes, we hope the William Mattar Rescue a Shelter Animal program will help encourage more of our neighbors to rescue, foster, volunteer, or donate as they can to help make a difference. So many volunteers make it their mission to help animals and are always in need of more support to make their mission even more successful. Every little bit adds up to make a big difference!
Thank you to all who participated in this year's Animal Photo contest!
Pets provide us with companionship and emotional support, which may reduce stress levels and feelings of loneliness. Pets stand by our sides during times of need, often posing the question, who rescued who? Families with pets can see their children thrive when interacting with them from care, feeding, and training to quiet play and cuddle time.
As cooler weather moves in, William Mattar Rescue a Shelter Animal campaign highlights the importance of rescuing an animal in need from local shelters and rescues. All animals deserve a safe, warm, and loving home. Despite the hard work of shelters and rescues everywhere, millions of dogs and cats are estimated to enter America’s shelters each year. Please consider rescuing or fostering an animal, donating, fostering, or volunteering at a local shelter or rescue. Every little bit helps.
HELPING IS MORE THAN JUST ADOPTION
It’s no secret that innocent animals end up as strays or abandoned, and even though there are countless shelters and rescue groups, many reach capacity due to limited space and needing more volunteers, and fosters. Many animals that end up in shelters are usually there through no fault of their own typically because their human has a problem, such as an illness, divorce, or a move. Many shelter animals are already house-trained and are used to living with families, children, and other animals.
Rescuing a shelter animal gives them a second chance, and you may also save it from being euthanized in an overcrowded kill shelter. Most rescue groups do not have brick-and-mortar facilities and rely on foster homes for shelter and care. This can make it difficult to place animals in forever homes.
According to the Humane Society of the United States, each year, “more than one million adoptable dogs and cats are euthanized in the United States, simply because too many pets come into shelters and rescues and too few people consider adoption when looking for a pet.” Most animal shelters do their best to take in unwanted pets and rehome them. Still, the costs associated with medical care, food, and shelter add up, making it extremely challenging for everyone involved to keep up the good work.
By taking home a new pet, you also make room at the shelter for another animal with nowhere else to go. This is especially important for senior pets, as they typically get a bad reputation because of the stigma associated with their age and potential growing medical needs. Senior pets may have an extended stay at shelters, but it does not necessarily mean they are not loving and loyal companions. With the long lives many animals can live, a senior animal may still give several years of love and companionship, while enjoying the loving home they truly deserve.
To all who love animals and want to help, we list many rescue groups and animal shelters below. If you can’t rescue an animal or become a foster, there are many other ways to help that can make a big difference. They always need donations and volunteers to help the animals in their care while awaiting adoption. Food and supplies are always welcomed and greatly needed. Monetary donations are desperately needed as many stuggle to gather funds to maintain or make needed improvements to their buildings, and medical costs often strain their budgets.
SHELTER ANIMAL RESOURCES
William Mattar Law Offices offers many helpful resources to help you find a shelter near you. When you are ready to open your heart to a furry friend and give an animal a forever home, we sincerely encourage you to visit a local shelter or rescue group. We have links to over 100 shelters and rescue groups in the Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse, Albany, Binghamton, Elmira, and Utica areas. If you know of a rescue group or shelter in New York State that you do not see listed below, please email marketing@williammattar.com with the organization’s name and website link, and we will be glad to update our list.
In addition to rescue efforts, the shelters listed below welcome donations, supplies, and volunteers. Please visit their respective websites for more information.
At the bottom of this page, we’ve also included important links to resources and aid for animals and pet owners. If you do not need their services, please consider donations to help support their tireless missions of helping the smallest members of our community. A donation in the name of a beloved pet is a wonderful way to honor their memory.
SHELTERS AND RESCUE GROUPS:
Buffalo & Western New York Animal Shelters and Rescue Groups
- 7 Hearts Maternity Rescue
- 716 Paws
- A Purr-Fect Fit Animal Rescue and Adoption Center
- ABC Basset Rescue
- Akron Canine Rescued Angels
- Akron Rescue Cats
- Awesome Paws Rescue
- Be Their Voice Rescue
- Bernard’s Beagle Rescue
- Black Dog, Second Chance
- Buddy’s Second Chance Rescue
- Buffalo City Animal Shelter
- Buffalo C.A.R.E.S. Animal Rescue
- Buffalo Greyhound Adoption
- Buffalo Paws and Claws Animal Shelter
- Buffalo Pug & Small Breed Rescue
- Buffalo Underdogs
- Cattaraugus County SPCA, Olean
- Diamonds in the Ruff
- Educate A Bull
- Erie County SPCA, West Seneca
- Empire Animal Rescue Society
- Feral Cat Focus of WNY
- Forgotten Felines of WNY
- Furever Friends of WNY
- Hamburg Mutts for Freedom
- Heart Animal Rescue, Hamburg
- Heart of Niagara Animal Rescue & Adoption Team
- Home Sweet Home Animal Rescue
- Hope for Cats, Inc.
- Joyful Rescues
- Lakeshore Humane Society
- M.A.D (Make a Difference) Rescue of WNY
- Magic’s Mission Beagle and Hound Rescue
- Niagara County SPCA, Niagara Falls
- Nickel City Canine Rescue
- Northern Chautauqua Canine Rescue
- Open Arms Rescue of WNY
- Pet Connection Programs (Maternity Shelter)
- Pets Alive Western New York
- Piece of Heaven Kitten Rescue
- Pixie Mamas Rescue
- Precious Paws Rescue, North Tonawanda
- Queen City Pitties
- Sadie’s Safe Harbor Canine Rescue
- Save a Pet
- Second Chance Sheltering Network
- Tabby Town Cat Adoption Center
- Ten Lives Club
- White Whiskers Senior Dog Sanctuary
- Wyoming County SPCA, Attica
Rochester Animal Shelters and Rescue Groups
- Allegany County SPCA, Wellsville
- Animal Service League
- Blue Moon Meadows
- Bright Star German Shepherd Rescue
- Brindle Posse Rescue
- Bugsy’s Animal Adoption Center (38 Area Shelters)
- Chip & Chloe Squirrel Rescue
- Genesee County Animal Shelter
- German Shepherd Rescue of the Finger Lakes
- Greece Residents Assisting Stray Pets
- Greyhound Adoption of Greater Rochester, NY
- Habitat for Cats, Rochester
- Hamlin Dog Shelter
- Hornell Area Humane Society
- Humane Society of Yates County, Penn Yan
- Keller’s Kats Rescue
- Logan’s Rescue
- Lollypop Farm, Humane Society of Greater Rochester, Fairport
- M.A.D (Make a Difference) Rescue of WNY
- Mr Grey's Strays
- New Start Kitty Shelter
- New 2U Rescues
- North Paws Rescue
- Ontario County Humane Society
- Operation Freedom Ride
- Orleans County Animal Shelter
- Pet Pride of New York, Inc.
- Pet Stop Here Rescue
- Pitty Love Rescue
- Rescue Pit
- Rescue Pups (in Friendship NY)
- Rescued Treasures Pet Adoptions
- Ridge’s Rescue
- Roc The Dogs Rescue
- Rochester Animal Services
- Suzie Q Dog ResQ
- The Mia Foundation
- Verona Street Animal Society
- Volunteers For Animals
- Woof2Hoof Rescue
Syracuse Animal Shelters and Rescue Groups
- All Creatures Big and Small
- B&R Bunkhouse Adoptables
- Cayuga Dog Rescue
- Central New York Cat Coalition, Inc.
- CNY SPCA, Syracuse
- Cortland Community SPCA
- Fetch a Friend Rescue
- Finger Lakes SPCA of Central NY, Auburn
- Friends Forever Animal Rescue
- Friends 4 Pound Paws
- Helping Hounds Dog Rescue
- Humane CNY
- Humane Society of Schuyler County, Watkins Glen
- Jefferson County SPCA
- K-Stone Acreage and Rescue (specializing in mini horses)
- Lewis County Humane Society
- Marsha's Mulligans -Senior Dog Rescue
- Massena Humane Society, Inc.
- Northeast Boston Terrier Rescue
- Oswego County Humane Society
- Oswego County SPCA
- Paws Across Oswego County
- Paws for the Cause Rescue
- Potsdam Humane Society
- Recycle-A-Bully Rescue, Inc.
- Rescue Me! Dachshund Rescue
- Second Chance Canine Adoption Shelter
- Seneca Humane Society, Seneca Falls
- SPCA of Tompkins County
- The Haven at Skanda
- Trooper Husky Rescue
- United Friends of Homeless Animals, Richland, NY
- Wanderer's Rest Humane Association
Albany and 518 Area Code Animal Shelters and Rescue Groups
- Albany Humane Society
- Animal Lovers
- Animal Protective Foundation
- Animal Protective Services
- Bangor Animal Shelter
- Capital District Humane Association
- Estherville Animal Shelter
- Free to Be Me Rescue
- German Shepherd Rescue of NY
- Homeward Bound Dog Rescue
- Mohawk Hudson Humane Society
- North Country SPCA
- Out of the Pits Rescue
- Purrs and Paws Feline Rescue and Adoption
- Saratoga County Animal Shelter
- SPCA of Upstate New York
- Tri-Lakes Humane Society, Inc.
- Unconditional Love Pet Rescue
- Whiskers Animal Benevolent League
St. Lawrence County
Capital District NY List of Animal Shelters and Rescue Groups
Binghamton Animal Shelters and Rescue Groups
- Animal Care Council
- Binghamton Animal Clinic
- Broome County Dog Shelter
- Broome County Humane Society
- Harper’s Haven Dog Rescue
- Every Dog’s Dream Rescue
- Project Paw
- Stray Haven Humane Society and SPCA
Elmira Animal Shelters and Rescue Groups
- Chemung County SPCA
- Elmira Animal Shelter
- Finger Lakes SPCA, Bath
- Hornell Area Humane Society
- Horseheads Community Animal Shelter
- Paradise Garden Animal Shelter
- Pawz and Purrz Animal Rescue, Inc.
- Rainbow of Hope Rescue
- Schuyler County Humane Society
- Tanner’s Paws
Utica Animal Shelters and Rescue Groups
- Herkimer County Humane Society
- Humane CNY
- Humane Society of Rome, New York
- Stevens-Swan Humane Society
- Wanderer’s Rest Humane Association
Other Agencies and Pet Resources
- Animal Advocates of WNY
- Animal Alliance of Greater Syracuse
- Cat by Cat Inc helps control the free-roaming Community Cat population through targeted Trap, Neuter, Vaccinate, Return (TNVR) practices in Buffalo, NY
- CNY Pet Food Pantry
- Emergency Animal Rescue
- Hope Before Heaven may provide aid for emergency vet care bills in certain situations
- Operation Pets spay/neuter clinic in Blasdell
- Pet Emergency Fund
- Pet Heaven Funeral Home
- Sherlock Bones Lost & Hound Dog Recovery
- White Whiskers Senior Dog Sanctuary‘s goal is to ease the stress on senior dogs when they lose their homes and families by providing a compassionate option to live out their years in safety, comfort, and peace. They have also worked with local rescue groups and individuals to find homes for senior dogs. All are encouraged to visit the animals for cuddle time and some furry company.
- Wild Kritters of Niagara County wildlife rescue & rehabilitation
- WNY Food 4 Paws collects pet food and supplies to be distributed at food pantries in WNY.
- And don’t forget about pet insurance! Help keep your pets safe and healthy as you plan for the unexpected. Contact your veterinarian or search online for a plan to meet your family’s needs.
MORE THAN JUST DOGS AND CATS
The humane work conducted by animal shelters and rescue groups extends well beyond traditional dog and cat pet options. More and more shelters and rescues have opened their doors to other animals, including guinea pigs, rabbits, birds, horses, and livestock. If you are interested in opening up your home to a rescue animal but are looking for something a little bit different, a great resource to start with is The Pet Shelter Project.
THE BENEFITS OF RESCUING AN ANIMAL ARE ENDLESS
If you or your family want to bring another little smile into your lives or maybe find your next best friend, we encourage you to visit your local animal shelter or rescue.
When you adopt a pet, the cost of a spay/neuter, first vaccinations, and even microchipping may be included in the adoption fee. This may help save you some upfront costs when adding a new furry friend to your home. The animal you select may also be housebroken, which saves on training.
If you buy a dog from a pet store, online seller, or flea market, they may be a dog from a puppy mill. When you support a puppy or kitten mill you are supporting factory-style breeding facilities that put profit above the welfare of dogs and cats. Animals raised in puppy or kitten mills are housed in poor conditions with improper medical care, which may cause numerous medical or behavioral issues as a result. Mills confine the moms of these animals to cages to be bred over and over, without human companionship and with little hope of ever joining a family.
Puppy and kitten mills will continue to operate until they lose support. By rescuing a pet from an animal shelter, you will have peace of mind knowing that puppy and kitten mills will not be profiting.
ASPCA Facts: https://www.aspca.org/animal-homelessness/shelter-intake-and-surrender/pet-statistics
- Approximately 6.5 million companion animals enter U.S. animal shelters nationwide every year
- Approximately 3.2 million shelter animals are adopted each year
- Approximately 40% of dog owners and 46% of cat owners learned about their pets through word of mouth
- Approximately 23% of dogs and 31% of cats are obtained from an animal shelter or humane society
- About 710,000 animals who enter shelters as strays are returned to their owners