NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLYMEMBER JEN LUNSFORD SECURES $20,000 GRANT TO SUPPORT LOLLYPOP FARM

FAIRPORT, N.Y. – Lollypop Farm, the Humane Society of Greater Rochester, is making a significant stride in its ability to respond to animal-related calls, criminal investigations, and emergencies thanks to $20,000 in federal funding secured by New York State Assemblymember Jen Lunsford. The allocation, provided through the U.S. Department of Justice, will allow Humane Law Enforcement to upgrade critical infrastructure, including mobile radio communications systems in patrol vehicles that are needed to maintain uninterrupted response capabilities for calls dispatched through the Monroe County Emergency Communications Center.

Currently, Lollypop Farm Humane Law Enforcement uses radio equipment that has surpassed its service life. The upgraded systems, made possible through this grant program, will preserve direct and reliable communication with law enforcement agencies throughout the region, improve officer safety, and ensure consistent, dependable service to the community.

The announcement marks the third consecutive year that Assemblymember Lunsford has secured funding through the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant program for Lollypop Farm, totaling $50,000 in all.

Alice Calabrese, President and CEO of Lollypop Farm said, “We are extremely grateful to Assemblymember Lunsford for her unwavering commitment to protecting animals across our region. Her leadership and advocacy continue to strengthen the safety net for pets and the people who love them, and her support of state funding has helped propel Lollypop Farm toward becoming one of the nation’s leading animal welfare and humane education centers through the Kindness for All Kind campaign. This new funding will directly enhance our ability to respond to animal emergencies with greater coordination, speed, and impact and ensures that animals in crisis will receive the critical care they deserve.”

New York State Assemblymember Jennifer Lunsford said, “I’m proud to support Lollypop Farm’s Humane Law Enforcement team in their lifesaving work. Officer Reno Di Domenico and his team perform this critical service for the entire Finger Lakes region without any reimbursement from local municipalities, making this funding all the more impactful to this agency, and our entire region. Violence towards animals is too often a predictor of violence towards people. The intervention assailants receive from Humane Law Enforcement can help disrupt cycles of abuse not just for our animal friends, but for the other people in their household and community as well.”

Reno Di Domenico, Vice President for Humane Law Enforcement at Lollypop Farm said, “By strengthening our ability to protect animals and expand humane education across our region and beyond, we are helping build a more compassionate community. Assemblymember Lunsford has been instrumental in securing the resources and infrastructure we need to carry out this vital work. We are thankful for her partnership and remain committed to delivering critical, lifesaving services for animals in need.”

The Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) program is the leading source of federal justice funding to state and local jurisdictions. The JAG Program provides states, tribes, and local governments with critical funding necessary to support a range of program areas including law enforcement, prosecution, indigent defense, courts, crime prevention and education, corrections and community corrections, drug treatment and enforcement, planning, evaluation, technology improvement, crime victim and witness initiatives, mental health programs and related law enforcement and corrections programs, including behavioral programs and crisis intervention teams, and implementation of state crisis intervention court proceedings and related programs or initiatives including, but not limited to, mental health courts, drug courts, veterans courts, and extreme risk protection order programs.

To discover how Lollypop Farm is impacting the Greater Rochester region through life-saving animal care, essential services, advocacy efforts, and impactful educational programming, or to learn how you can get involved, visit www.lollypop.org.

About Kindness for All Kind

Construction is underway on Lollypop Farm’s Kindness for All Kind project! Together, we’re building a brighter future for animals and the people who care for them throughout the Greater Rochester area and beyond. This visionary project will create a safe haven for animals in need, offer compassion to those seeking help, and provide unwavering support to the community and caregivers who make second chances possible every day.

Kindness for All Kind will enhance our abilities to care for animals and serve our community. The innovative project includes a new Animal Intake Center, enhanced Dog Holding Facilities, a community-focused Welcome Center, the Karpus Family Foundation Learning Center, expanded farm facilities, a modernized Maintenance Barn, and a Donations and Support Center to meet the growing needs of Lollypop Farm and the community. To learn more about Kindness for All Kind, including how you can support this generational investment in compassion and community, visit lollypop.org/kindness or contact Cathie Wright, Vice President of Donor Relations, at (585) 223-1330 ext. 245 or at wright@lollypop.org.

About Lollypop Farm

Established in 1873, Lollypop Farm, Humane Society of Greater Rochester, which celebrated its 150th anniversary in 2023, is the largest animal welfare organization helping pets and people in the Greater Rochester area. Lollypop Farm is committed to creating a just and compassionate world for all animals. Together with our community, we better the lives of animals through justice, prevention, and life-saving care. With its main campus in Fairport and a satellite adoption center in Greece Ridge Mall, the organization provides shelter, care, and adoption for dogs, cats, small animals, birds, reptiles, horses, and other farm animals. Lollypop Farm is an independent, nonprofit organization supported through donations and program fees. For more information and to meet current animals available for adoption, please visit www.lollypop.org and follow on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and LinkedIn.

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