Thanks to County Executive Adam Bello, a $75,000 grant from Monroe County is supporting Lollypop Farm’s Humane Law Enforcement efforts, which are critical to keeping animals safe in our community. Much of this work is funded by our generous community, and in recent years, the number of large-scale animal cruelty cases has increased significantly. Investment in Humane Law Enforcement is imperative to ensuring the care and safety of people and pets in our community.
Every day, the Lollypop Farm Humane Law Enforcement Department provides critical resources for animals. On any given day, one of our officers may bring food to an owner experiencing a hard time, rescue an abandoned animal, seek justice for an abused pet, or work with a rescue to deliver a dog house to an owner in need (pictured).
“Lollypop Farm’s Humane Law Enforcement efforts are crucial to protecting animals in Monroe County,” said County Executive Bello. “This $75,000 grant is an investment in a safer community for both people and pets. The dedication of Lollypop Farm’s officers, who rescue and protect animals every day, exemplifies our community’s commitment to service and care. I am proud to support this important initiative and encourage everyone to join us in this mission of compassion and protection.”
In 2023, our Humane Law Enforcement department received 3,111 calls for service on the Lollypop Farm animal cruelty hotline.
So far this year, Lollypop Farm’s Humane Law Enforcement Department has already stepped up to rescue animals from three large-scale cases.
For example, our Humane Law Enforcement investigators intervened in a cat hoarding case in Penfield, where 56 cats were seized and brought back to Lollypop Farm. Then, in May, we rescued 23 reptiles and small animals that were abandoned in downtown Rochester. Just days later, our investigators acted on a warrant and sized 120 dogs from a single home in Rochester. Only halfway through the year, hundreds of animals have received a second chance thanks to supporters of Lollypop Farm’s Humane Law Enforcement Department.
Lollypop Farm stands out as a uniquely effective model for Humane Law Enforcement due to the expertise of our staff (all officers go through formal police academy training), robust cross-sector partnerships, and over 150 years of experience. “We strive for perfection in order to obtain excellence,” states Reno Di Domenico, Vice President for Humane Law Enforcement at Lollypop Farm. “Our officers are trained to know how to respond to any given situation safely and lawfully. We want them to be the best, for the animals and our community.”
Lollypop Farm’s Humane Law Enforcement Department maintains an SPCA designation and is charged with investigating and enforcing New York State’s animal cruelty laws. Each county can only have one organization with an SPCA designation. Lollypop Farm holds this designation in Monroe, Genesee, Livingston, and Orleans counties.
The Lollypop Farm Humane Law Enforcement Department plays a key role in preventing animal cruelty by meaningfully connecting with the community. Humane Law Enforcement investigators are involved in community programs such as Project T.I.P.S.(Trust, Information, Programs, and Services), which helps maintain community relations in select neighborhoods throughout Rochester, and Project Exile, which strives to get illegal guns off area streets. They also attend community events to support neighbors and spread awareness for Humane Law Enforcement programs. Humane Law Enforcement officers attend events such as the annual “Good Night Lights” for Golisano Children’s Hospital, a lights display for the children staying within the hospital by local first responders.
Lollypop Farm is incredibly grateful for the support from Monroe County and Executive Adam Bello. These funds will ensure that our investigators can continue making an impact in the Greater Rochester community for people and their pets.
More information on Humane Law Enforcement is available on our website.
