In 1955, Dede Kline and Ella Merle had a vision: a shelter for animals where they could offer care, kindness, and comfort to those companions who were unfortunate enough to lose their homes, whether it be because they were victims of an owner’s inability to care for them any longer, of straying from home and getting lost, or of neglect, cruelty, or abandonment. Whatever the reason, Dede and Ella saw a safe haven for these pets. Their first shelter, a modest affair with just five dog kennels, was the forebearer of today's institution. Then, in 1977, what had become the Columbia-Greene Humane Society stretched its tent, becoming chartered as a Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA).

Following in this tradition of growing to meet the increasing requirements of those it serves, the CGHS/SPCA is poised again to reach a new milestone, one that will once more leave a legacy for decades to come.

Now having marched for over 55 years in the footsteps of those founding matriarchs, CGHS/SPCA continues to provide vital assistance to animals in crisis. Surrender services, stray municipal dog housing, cruelty intervention, and adoption services are still at the core of what we do to meet these animals' needs.


In addition, CGHS/SPCA  has furthered a “one-helping-another” relationship with the community through such programs as our low-cost feline spay/neuter clinic, our pet Food Bank for those households that have fallen on financial hardship, and our civil emergency services (for example, during Tropical Storms Irene and Lee in 2011, we set up and staffed satellite shelters). We help the community because they help us!

For the past twenty-five years, I have been personally involved with the Columbia-Greene Humane Society/SPCA. During this time, I have found CGHS/SPCA to be a responsible, conscientious, and caring animal welfare organization. As an active member of its cruelty medical team, I have been honored to experience, firsthand, the innumerable hours spent and dedication this team commits to animal safety and well-being.
     The CGHS/SPCA deserves the support of our community during its Capital Campaign. It is with pride and admiration that I recommend you join me in supporting this worthwhile organization.

Not only have the staff of the Blue Plate Restaurant been happy to host special fundraising events to benefit the CGHS/SPCA Building Fund, but we have also, collectively, adopted dozens of cats, dogs, and—yes—even horses from this amazing shelter.

The wonderful people at CGHS work every day, year after year, to care for and place so many animals. Imagine a shiny, new facility in which to continue this work. I can't think of a bunch of humans and animals who deserve it more.

Great news that the Columbia-Greene Humane Society/SPCA will be building a new facility to provide shelter for the thousands of animals that you care for or provide assistance to each year. As a long time friend of the shelter and an adopter of many CGHS animals, I know that a new facility is long overdue. Yet, I also know from my experience with your organization that although the facility is important, it’s the extraordinary care and dedication of the leadership, staff, and volunteers that make CGHS truly special.

I am reminded on a daily basis, through the companionship of my seven-year-old Lucy and her two feline brothers, Nickles and Just Jack, of the safe and caring environment that you provide for so many animals. Lucy is the severely abused golden retriever that was rescued by your organization six years ago. I shudder to think what extensive medical care and security that you do.

It is with great enthusiasm that I make my donation to the building project and sincerely hope that others will join me in supporting the CGHS Capital Campaign.

I have been blessed to do and live my passion. I can’t get enough of God’s animal kingdom, and so much of my satisfaction has come through my 17-year walk with the homeless animals of CGHS/SPCA.  We stand at the dawn of another new blessing and beginning as we admire the plans for our new shelter. How proud we are to have accomplished so many landmark goals along the way to this dream—now a reality knocking at the door. “I know the events and accomplishments that have brought lasting change to the world have not been accidental; they have been things thought through, and acted on deliberately.” I love this quote from Joyce Meyer’s Love Out Loud. She also instructs us that the secret of joy is giving. Most certainly, selfless generosity, love, commitment, and hard work, coupled with compassion and pragmatism, have been the tenets of our CGHS family. Please join us in making your personal mark on our future—to improve the quality of life of the animals entrusted to our care. We are their stewards. They depend on us.

For 18 years, I have found a second home twice a week at the CGHS. Spending two days a week in the company of the many cats and dogs has been a great joy. Over the years, however, I have watched with dismay as the buildings deteriorated, and although the management did their best to keep them going from one year to the next, elements and time were not kind and made the conditions very difficult for our incredibly dedicated and hard-working staff. But now, thanks to the enormous efforts of our Director and Board members, our dream of a new Shelter is finally being realized. But to make it come true, we need the help of the citizens of both Columbia and Greene Counties. We have only one shelter—a shelter with a stellar reputation—to serve all the dogs and cats in need in both these counties. Please help give them a building that will properly house them and provide them with top-notch care.

 I came to the Columbia-Greene Humane Society/SPCA nearly a decade ago and set up the low-cost spay/neuter clinic. Working with the dedicated  team there, headed up by Ron Perez, we have performed over 13,000 surgeries on shelter, feral, and privately owned cats. This organization provides an invaluable service.

 I have worked with the team on both small- and large-animal cruelty cases. The staff of CGHS/SPCA are compassionate and efficient; they deserve your support in their Capital Campaign, which will allow them to further improve the welfare of animals in the community.