A Confluence of Compassion for Animals
Rochester, NY – Rochester is coming together to help benefit animals of all shapes and sizes during one weekend. On June 3rd and 4th, nearly 2,000 people will be celebrating the work of two of the largest animal welfare organizations in our region: Lollypop Farm, the Humane Society of Greater Rochester and Rochester Animal Services. This is the first time that the organizations will be celebrating their popular and longstanding annual events on the same weekend — a testament to the tremendous support the community has for our animal friends.
The weekend kicks off on Friday, June 3rd, as hundreds gather at the Hyatt Regency Rochester for the Lollypop Farm There’s No Place Like Home Gala. Focusing on the work the Humane Society of Greater Rochester does to send more pets to new, loving homes, the evening will feature dinner, dancing, auctions, and live entertainment. “We’re so grateful for the support our community provides to help homeless and abused animals. Together our community can save more lives,” says Alice Calabrese, President and CEO of Lollypop Farm.
The weekend speeds on the next morning at The Fast & The Furriest® 5K , 10K race, dog walk, and festival co-produced by the City of Rochester and Verona Street Animal Society to benefit Rochester Animal Services. The event on Saturday, June 4th, helps the organization celebrate the human-animal bond while supporting their efforts to help people with animals and animals with people in the city. “This event is critical to supporting programs and providing shelter enrichment that would not otherwise be possible,” says Chris Fitzgerald, Director of Animal Services. “It’s a lot of fun and always exciting to see everyone come out to help us celebrate our shared love for animals and for our city.”
Learn more about the Lollypop Farm 2016 Gala and The Fast & The Furriest.
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About Lollypop Farm, Humane Society of Greater Rochester
Established in 1873, Lollypop Farm is the largest animal welfare organization helping pets and people in the Greater Rochester area. The Humane Society is committed to building lifelong bonds between people and animals through education, community outreach, and the prevention of cruelty. With a main campus located on 136 picturesque acres in Fairport and four other adoption centers throughout the community, 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 solely through contributions, grants, investments, proceeds from retail sales, and fees for programs and services. For more information and to meet current animals available for adoption, please visit www.lollypop.org.
About Rochester Animal Services and the Verona Street Animal Society
Rochester Animal Services is a municipal animal care and control agency committed to providing information, assistance, and pet re-homing for the Rochester community to support pet retention and encourage compliance in order to help people and animals. Rochester Animal Services provided shelter for more than 3,700 cats and dogs in 2015. Stray and surrendered pets are temporarily housed at the shelter which also serves as a center for pet reunification, pet adoptions, and low-cost spay neuter. The shelter is open to the public 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday (Wednesdays until 7:30 p.m.), and is closed Sundays and select holidays. For more information on adoptions, spay and neuter services, community outreach or volunteering, visit www.rochesteranimalservices.com or send an email to AnimalServices@cityofrochester.gov.
The Verona Street Animal Society is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization dedicated to raising awareness and providing resources in support of Rochester Animal Services. For more information about the Verona Street Animal Society visit www.vsas.org or www.Facebook.com/VeronaStAnimalSociety.