SPCA of Niagara admits deficiencies

WHEATFIELD, N.Y. (WIVB) - The SPCA of Niagara is owning up Thursday night that changes are in order for the shelter.

Board members scattered quickly after their meeting on Thursday, but they are now publicly admitting that there are problems that need to be addressed in order to live up to the shelter's mission of caring for sick and abandoned animals.

SPCA of Niagara board attorney Paul Cambria said, “There are deficiencies and they're going to be addressed, and I think it's important that the board is responding the way it is.”

473 cats and 100 dogs were euthanized at the facility during a two-and-a-half month period, according to one former employee, who says some animals put to sleep were healthy and just in need of a home. We’re told this information will be given to Barbara Carr, the Executive Director of the Erie County SPCA, who is conducting the local investigation. She says she is looking at everything.

“And when I say everything, that means the Board of Director, it means the staff, it means the volunteers, it means the records, it means the animal care, it means the community as a whole,” said Carr.

While the SPCA of Niagara is admitting to deficiencies, there is nothing yet found that is breaking the law, according to Cambria.

“There aren't any laws being violated. It's not anything like that,” said Cambria.

Cambria says they are early indications that the shelter is "understaffed and underfunded."