Admission is free. The event is hosted by Volunteers for Animals.

They would like you to consider being a vendor. For more information and a registration form, please email the volunteers at:   vol4animalscraftfair@gmail.com

Vendors should respond by Feb. 1 to get a spot at this indoor event.

Craft Information Sheet

Craft Registration Form

Above, file photo of Rocky, the beloved pet of Howard and Billie Owens, who adopted him from the GC Animal Shelter in September of 2015.

Information from Volunteers For Animals:

There are three opportunities this month to bring your pet to Petco for a photo with Santa Claus. You'll get a photo with your $9.95 donation to benefit homeless pets at the Genesee County Animal Shelter.

Sponsored by the Petco Foundation, the photo ops will be available from 1 to 4 p.m on Saturdays, Dec. 7 and 14, and on Sunday, Dec. 15.

Petco is located at 4226 Veterans Memorial Drive in Towne Center at Batavia.

The money from this fundraiser will be put to good use.

Here are some examples of the invaluable work performed on behalf of companion animals needing forever homes in Genesee County.

The Path to Home

In July, 2018 Volunteers for Animals and the Orleans Correctional Facility launched the canine training program. Four dogs were sent to the prison to live in a dorm with their inmate trainer/handlers and the program began. Two weeks prior to the dogs’ arrival trainer Tom Ryan held classes for selected inmates to prepare them for their role in the program. The dogs were greeted by staff and inmates with much fanfare and high hopes for success.

Classes range from four to six dogs per 12-week session. Ryan and two training assistants hold classes twice a week. The dogs learn basic obedience and are crate- and house-trained. Most of the dogs learn a few tricks, too.

The inmate handlers have become very adept at teaching the basics as well as dealing with dogs who bark at night, chew on socks and leashes, jump on visitors or misbehave in other ways. Inmates see participation in the program as a privilege and always look forward to the next class.

The prison staff has been extremely supportive of the program and on the day after the first four dogs arrived one staff member said it was the first time she had seen a bit of joy in the prison. Many of the graduate dogs have been adopted by prison workers.

This partnership with Orleans Correctional Facility has saved the lives of dogs from overcrowded shelters in the South and some local dogs who needed a little more structure to make them adoptable. It has also been an opportunity for the inmates to learn new skills they might be able to use after release.

In talking to the inmates at graduation, most of them say they have learned patience, problem solving and satisfaction in helping others. They are genuinely pleased when a dog is adopted.

Volunteers for Animals is committed to continuing to support the canine training program. Thanks to supporters, they will be able to provide food, training equipment and medical care when health issues arise.

Ember the Cat's Lucky Charm

Ember (inset photo below) was in pretty bad shape when she came to the Genesee County Animal Shelter. The vet suspected she got caught in an automobile engine fan -- her back legs were degloved, which means the skin was torn away; three of her paws were broken and she had some broken teeth. In spite of her injuries, she seemed like a very nice cat.

Ember needed a lot of TLC to recover from her injuries. She needed regular care, especially for her open wounds. And later she would need dental surgery to address the broken teeth.

After six weeks of care from her foster mom, Ember was ready to come back to the Shelter. It was amazing how beautiful she was considering where she started. Lucky for Ember, she did not have to wait long for a home. After a week or so, a family came in looking for a very special kitty to adopted. Needless to say, Ember fit the bill perfectly.

Humane Works By the Numbers

• In 2018, 419 cats and 198 dogs were adopted from the Genesee County Animal Shelter and the Volunteers For Animals.
• In 2018, VFA proivded low-cost spay / neuter vouchers for 144 dogs and 654 cats -- including 152 feral cats. That's a total of $65,000 in vet care charges.
• Since it began in 2015, more than 3,500 cats and dogs have been spayed or neutered through vouchers available in the "Spay It Forward" program and to ensure shelter animals are spayed and neutered prior to adoption.
• Since the start of Winnie's Fund, the Volunteers For Animals have helped more than 20 animals with serious medical issues get the treatment they need so they could be adopted -- spending more than $12,000 in the process to make that possible.
• More than $70,000 was spent in 2018 on vet care, surgery, medications and vaccines for more than 800 animals that came through the Genesee County Animal Shelter.

​Consider Donating This Season

This 100-percent volunteer 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization -- Volunteers For Animals -- uses your tax-deductible monetary donations and donated goods to help save lives and provide comfort to animals who depend on us -- to a degree that is not possible to achieve via the county's operating budget.

To make a monetary donation, click here.

Bring them your empties: Returnable pop/beer/soda/water cans and bottles can be donated at the shelter -- located at 3841 W. Main St. Road, Batavia. Or take them directly to the following three sites* for redemption money that goes directly to VFA:

• Eastown Beverages in Eastown Plaza on East Main Street in Batavia;
• Arc Recycling Center (Mon. thru Sat. 8-2, Wed. till 8 p.m.) at 3785 W. Main St., Batavia;
• Le Roy Redemption Center on Route 19 (8 1/2 Lake St.).

*Note that NONE of the recycling sites accept crushed containers.

To donate goods, here's a wishlist of some useful items needed:

• Kitten food -- Prefer to have Purina Kitten Chow and Purina ONE Healthy Kitten
• Canned Dog Food
• Dry Cat Food -- Prefer to have Purina ONE - Indoor Advantage
• Dry Dog Food -- Prefer to have Purina ONE - Chicken and Rice
• Paper Towels
• Non-clumping Cat Litter
• Newspapers for the cat cages
• Cat Litter Boxes (no small boxes, please)
• Dog Collars and Leashes
• Kong toys and Peanut Butter
• Large Nylabones and Dog Treats (no rawhide treats please)
• Plain Yogurt
• Cat Toys of ANY KIND
• Rubbing Alcohol, Hydrogen Peroxide
• Forever U.S. Postage Stamps
• Letter-size Copy Paper
• Gently Used Doghouses
• Gifts Cards to: Walmart, Tractor Supply Store, Genesee Feeds, or Petco

PLEASE NO FOOD OR TREATS FROM CHINA! In recent years there have been animal-related deaths due to the consumption of food and treats from China. The volunteers just don't want to take the chance.

We're not making this up; they are. (Cleverness credit where cleverness credit is due.)

For only 60 bucks, with zero-percent financing -- cash or check only, you can bring home your very own feline companion.

Features and Specs:

• All cats over 1 year old;
• All makes and models;
• Standard 4-paw drive;
• 100,000 purr warranty;
• Over curtain climbing phase.

Multi-point Inspection:

• Spayed or neutered;
• Vaccinated;
• FIV/FeLV tested;
• General grooming;
• Flea, earmite, worm treatment.

To test drive your potential pet, or at least check under the hood, visit the Genesee County Animal Shelter at 3841 W. Main Street Road in the Town of Batavia during adoption hours.

Adoption Hours:

Or call the shelter at (585) 343-6410.

Serious inquiries only. Real pets for real people. Must be able to provide food, water, shelter and affection. Those not up to the task need not inquire. Providing catnip, luxury bedding, bejeweled collars, crystal supping dishes, a chaise longue (lounge), and other whimsies optional.

This message has been brought to you as a public service on behalf of fur friends county-wide.

There will be food and beverages and basket raffles and silent auctions.

Tickets are $25; tickets for children 12 and under are $15. Tables of 10 are available for $250.

Make checks payable to: Volunteers for Animals -- Spay/Neuter Program. They can be mailed to: Volunteers for Animals, P.O. Box 1621, Batavia NY 14020

The Sacred Heart Social Center is located at 17 Sumner St.

The Volunteers for Animals is now accepting new items for the auctions/raffles for the Fur Ball. They can be left at the shelter during adoption hours.

The shelter is located at 131 W. Main Street Road in the Town of Batavia.

Adoption hours are:

• Afternoons on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday from 1 to 3 p.m.
• Also, Wednesday nights from 7 to 9
• CLOSED THURSDAYS
• Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

info@vol4animals.org

www.vol4animals.org

vfafurball@gmail.com

From the Volunteers For Animals:

Benny is in need of a barn home with no young children.

He is a cat that is accustomed to being outdoors and not picked up/handled.

He is negative for FIV/FeLV, up to date with vaccines and neutered.

There is no charge for an adoption fee and we ask that you confine him for a period of time until he has adjusted to his new surroundings.

If you are able to help out this guy, drop us an email at info@vol4animals.org

The Batavian communicated with Benny recently and he let us know he was eager to be on the prowl again, mousing, pouncing, stalking, and lounging outdoors in a warm, sunny spot. He's feeling a bit couped up at the Genesee County Animal Shelter, even though it's nice enough there.

He sure would like a new home where he can be his independent, unfettered self, alive and kickin'. Mice beware!

Scrap for the Pack is set for 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, June 1 and 2, at the shelter. It is a scrap metal collection event in the shelter parking lot, located 3841 W. Main Street Road in Batavia.

Bring your metal items that The Volunteers For Animals will recycle for cash at Ed Arnold EAS Scrap Processors of Corfu. These include: railings, doors, garbage cans, file cabinets, bicycle frames, gutters, pipes, poles, fencing, window frames, lawn furniture, tools, shelving, washing machines, dryers, stoves, wheel barrows, wagons, etc.

They CANNOT accept propane tanks, A/C units or refrigerators.

The other event is a Garage Sale from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, June 13, 14 and 15. It will be held at Genesee Feeds, located near the shelter but across the street at 3860 W. Main Street Road, Batavia.

***Donations for next month's Garage Sale are being accepted NOW and can be dropped off at the shelter. NO CLOTHING OR ELECTRONICS.***

Visit The Volunteers For Animals online here.

A $10 entry fee to the fundraiser for animals at the Genesee County Animal Shelter includes a hamburger or hot dog.

There will be 50/50 raffles and a Chinese auction.

Classic rock music will be provided by FOMR.

Is there a better way to spend a Sunday? C'mon out and have some fun to support an awesome cause!

The hotel is located at 200 Oak St.

There will be food, fun, basket raffles and silent auctions.

Tickets are $25 each; tickets for children 12 and under are $15. A table of 10 -- with 10 seats -- costs $250.

The event is limited to 200 tickets.

Please make checks payable to: Volunteers for Animals -- Spay/Neuter Program.

They can be mailed to: P.O. Box 1621, Batavia NY 14021

Tickets are also available at the shelter.

Volunteers for Animals are now accepting new items for the Fur Ball raffle/auction. Items can be left at the shelter during adoption hours.

Tickets are $25. Children 12 and under, $15. Tables of 10 are $250.

Only 200 tickets will be sold.

Fur Ball features food, fun, auctions and surprises.

New items are being accepted for the auction. You can drop them off at the shelter during adoption hours.

The shelter is located at 3841 W. Main Street Road, Town of Batavia.

Adoption Hours:

Sun, Mon, Tues, Fri  --  1 - 3 p.m.
Wednesday  -- 1 - 3  & 7 - 9 p.m.
Saturday  --  11a.m. - 1 p.m.

Email Volunteers for Animals at:   info@vol4animals.org
Phone:  585-343-6410 (phone)