SPCA has new hours, new board candidates, new investigator

The SPCA of Niagara at 2100 Lockport Road, Wheatfield, started the month by changing its hours of operation. New hours will be:

Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, noon to 8 p.m.; closed on Tuesdays; Fridays, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. for adoptions); Saturdays, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sundays, noon to 5 p.m.

"The shelter has decided to change its hours to better accommodate potential adopters. We hope ... the change in hours will bring more visitors to the shelter and more adoptions," said Amy Lewis, interim executive director.

The SPCA will continue to respond to animal emergencies and cruelty complaints and be available for dog control for the towns it contracts with after hours and on Tuesdays. Call the shelter at 731-4368 for after-hours instructions. The shelter also plans to switch to a pager system for the towns it serves. There will be staff in the building to accept dogs that come into receiving from municipal dog control officers on Tuesdays, according to Lewis. Also, owners will be able to pick up dogs and cats that have strayed and been brought into the SPCA.

•The SPCA's Election Committee has selected candidates for the new board of directors. For a list of the candidates and their biographies, go to www.niagaraspca.org. The candidates will be voted on by members of the SPCA on May 29.

•The SPCA of Niagara now has an investigator on staff. Aaron Kandefer has been brought in from the SPCA Serving Erie County. Lewis said Kandefer will be in charge of dog control and investigating animal cruelty complaints. He is able to issue appearance tickets to violators. Previously, the SPCA of Niagara did not have an investigator on staff and had to rely on local police to assist, Lewis said.