Pet Pride Cat Sanctuary & Adoption Center Expansion Complete

BY JODY LYNN GREER

The Empire State showed it cares for animal shelters. Last November, Governor Hochul included the Companion Animal Capitol Fund in her proposed executive scal budget for 2023. is unprecedented move showed Hochul and the state recognize the capacity strain pet shelters have endured in recent years, and they commit to providing safe housing for abandoned dogs and cats awaiting adoption. One local shelter, Pet Pride of New York, a no-kill cat sanctuary on Route 251 in Victor, received $200,000 from the Fund to renovate and expand. Pet Pride is the only shelter in our region to receive this generous endowment. is money, with other local philanthropic donations, enables Pet Pride to compassionately care for the vulnerable feline populations in its newly renovated $1.2 million addition that opened to the public on January 21, 2023.

Vice President Marlies Sullivan, says, “We’re a little di erent than most shelters because we have an open enrichment environment. Our cats come out during the day. We have a full surgical and veterinary suite… We have windows everywhere. ese cats can actually go outside and get fresh air and hang out on perches. We purchased some more for our new building. We have six catios now.”

Upon entering the facility, you might be welcomed by Herby, a friendly, black and white, u y tuxedo cat. A er leaving the entrance area, you take Tabby Lane, decorated with pictures of Pet Pride alum. From there, you can enter Kitten Kingdom or peruse the community rooms.

Each room is beautifully lit and spacious. Any cat lover would love to explore Calico Cottage, Catnip Cavanagh, Meow Manner, and Kitten Kingdom. While Kitten Kingdom provides adoptable cats with an enclosed space, other rooms allow cats to roam freely around the building as they interact with visitors and employees. In some rooms, cats can even safely “bird watch” on televisions, entertaining them while harming no birds.

“We are excited about the Healing Paws medical center. We have some vets that are excited about helping us. Vets sign on to do a shi ; it could be once a month. ere’s a lot of veterinarians that like to give back. Giving back to homeless animals is something they’re passionate about.”

Pet Pride of NY also relies heavily upon a network of kind and caring foster families to meet their needs. Sullivan says, “Overcrowding is a huge problem. We have this expansion, but we will still have a long waiting line. ere are a lot of homeless cats and kittens out there, and it doesn’t seem to be getting better. We now spay and neuter early. ere’s still a lot of homeless ones out there. When you start to do the math, it’s very daunting.” e motto of Pet Pride is “Every cat deserves a home,” and thanks to the Companion Animal Capitol Fund and local community donations, they are closer to making that dream a reality. With continued support, they can remove more homeless, abused, and neglected felines from the streets and place them in suitable, loving, forever homes. ere are many ways to support this animal shelter. Pet Pride is always seeking volunteers and donations, whether it be visitors helping socialize the cats to ensure they are adoptable, veterinarians and vet techs helping spay/neuter the cats, and families fostering pregnant momma cats and kittens under eight weeks. Pet Pride also o ers enclosure naming rights to memorialize loved ones.

For more information on Pet Pride and its services, visit petprideny.org or stop by Pet Pride at 7731 Victor Mendon Rd, Victor, NY 14564.

Pet Pride assesses each animal’s temperament and viability for adoption and chooses a space that ts the needs of that cat. Each cat appears lovingly cared for and content. Meticulous thought and detail make this expansion like no other, ensuring felines are as comfortable as possible.

Community support is vital when it comes to caring for shelter animals, and the work is never done. According to Sullivan,

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