Auburn viewers can watch dog and cat videos and support local dogs and cats at the same time.
Auburn Public Theater will host the 8th Annual New York State Dog Film Festival on Thursday, followed by the 6th Annual New York State Cat Film Festival on Friday. Each will feature several pet-focused short films. For example, in “Deborah,” a woman shares her love for a rescued cocker spaniel, and “Moose Takes a Bath” chronicles the rescue of a small kitten from a vacant house in Baltimore.
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Tickets to the 1pm and 7pm film festival are $10, and a portion of the proceeds will benefit the China New York Finger Lakes SPCA, which is undertaking a $700,000 renovation of its facility at 41 York Street. Used for support.
Nicholas LaPlessis, the shelter's executive director, told The Citizen on Wednesday that they are currently working with the state Department of Agriculture and Markets to finalize a contract before renovations begin. The state's Companion Animal Capital Fund awarded the shelter $482,491.50, with the rest coming from capital campaigns and grants from local foundations.
La Plessis said the renovation budget increased due to electrical upgrades needed to install a generator and new heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems. The shelter is 70 years old, so there are “question marks” like the concrete slabs, he continued. Depending on whether the shelter is 6 inches or 1 foot deep, the shelter can take twice as long to clear.
In any case, La Plessis hopes that renovation work will begin soon. This will include larger, quieter kennels, and HVAC systems will be part of improved temperature control for the shelter's animals.
However, proceeds from the film festival will help with other improvements at the shelter. La Plessis said new equipment has been installed in the operating room and grooming room, including new bathtubs with ramps for older pets. He also wants to purchase a commercial dishwasher and washer and dryer so his staff won't have to spend as much time cleaning things like food bowls and bedding.
“We want to put that extra time back into the animals and their care,” LaPresi said.
The adoption rate at the Auburn shelter doubled in 2023 compared to 2022, according to the executive director. While the dogs are currently nearing capacity, the cats are “fuller than ever” after a humane police call last month saw the shelter rescue 23 cats from homes with poor living conditions in Auburn. It is said that The cats are currently being spayed, neutered and receiving medical treatment, LaPlessis said.
The hope is that by this time next year, the shelter's dogs and cats will be living in better conditions in renovated, well-equipped facilities.
“The renovation work will be completed in any case,” La Plessis said. “I hear things are moving.”
Nick LaPlessis may be happier than the animals.
Editor-in-Chief David Wilcox can be reached at (315) 282-2245 or david.wilcox@lee.net.