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As the occupied cages suggest, the isolation room is already being used to treat sick cats.
As the occupied cages suggest, the isolation room is already being used to treat sick cats.

Niagara County SPCA opens isolation room to treat sick cats

Fri, Dec 26th 2014 09:00 am

by Autumn Evans

The Niagara County SPCA celebrated a new step in its "no-kill" mission with a ribbon cutting ceremony for its new isolation room Thursday, Dec. 18.

The isolation room, built into the facility's garage and designed to have improved air filtration, is used to house cats and kittens with respiratory illnesses, a common issue in pet shelters.

"Because of our nature as a 'no-kill' shelter, we see a lot of animals come in and out of the shelter, and because the conditions are so cramped, we do see a lot of illness," said SPCA Executive Director Amy Lewis. "So it was really imperative that this was one of the first of many steps here at the shelter to really get these animals healthy."

The room holds just under 20 cages, though they are big enough to house multiple cats or a litter of kittens if necessary. Though it has only been in use for about two and a half months, Lewis said the effects are already noticeable.

"The animals that are in the room, that have been placed in the room, they're getting healthier a lot quicker. And moving these guys away from the regular population prevents them from getting sick," she said.

The project cost $20,000. A grant from M&T Bank covered $5,000 and an anonymous donor gave another $5,000. Building materials were donated by Gui's Lumber, and the construction was done by local tradesmen.

During the ribbon cutting, Lewis thanked a number of individuals involved in the project, including Gui's, Chris Becht and his fifth-year HVAC class, Daryl Bodewes and Empire State Regional Council of Carpenters Local 289, veterinarians Susan Persico and Ed Latson, George Schalk and U.A. Plumbers and Steamfitters Local 22 apprentices including Jeffrey Zubler and his fourth-year apprentice classroom, architect Kathleen Kinan, Salim Kinan with IBEW Local 237 and J.W. Danforth Company with Tom Kwiatkowski, Leo MacDonald and Sean Edwards. Veterinary technician Brittany Harrer cut the ribbon.

"I think this is a proud moment for us," Lewis said. "I think it's the first of many steps toward an incredible future for the Niagara County SPCA."


Vet tech Brittany Harrer (left) and SPCA Executive Director Amy Lewis prepare to cut the ribbon on the new isolation room.

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