FAIRPORT, N.Y. — A groundbreaking on Thursday for a massive expansion at Lollypop Farm, Humane Society of Rochester is about more than just additional space. It has plans that focus on animal welfare, safety and education.
Diesel is a 4-year-old dog waiting to be adopted at Lollypop Farm longer than any other dog. He was found abandoned in a trailer park last fall weighing nearly half his current weight. Diesel is one of thousands of animals who are examples of why the upcoming changes are necessary and welcome.
A historic groundbreaking at Lollypop Farm is the first step in transforming the facility into what leaders say will be the foremost community-based animal welfare and education center in the region. Lollypop is also kicking off its capital fundraising campaign “Kindness for All Kind.”
“From the smallest mouse to the largest horse, Lollypop Farm supporters pave the way for a bright future for all animals,” said Lollypop Farm President and CEO Alice Calabrese. “And our shelter must be an environment that nurtures this ideal by providing a safe space for animals that are homeless.”
Lollypop Farm says the campaign has already received $11 million with a goal of $20 million by 2027.
The project is aimed at positively affecting the fate of abused and neglected animals – and in the process, potentially making the community safer.
“I believe that more people are becoming more aware of animal cruelty and between human violence and animal violence. So what's happening is more people are reporting these incidents, either to us as an SPCA or to the local law enforcement," said VP for Law Enforcement for the Humane Society at Lollypop Farm Reno Di Domenico, who investigates crimes against animals.
Di Domenico says the more arrests, the more animals seized and the more space needed to house and care for them.
"So at a statewide level, we have an organization called the New York State Animal Protection Federation,” he said. “What we're trying to do is we're trying to get laws passed that are more beneficial to us to go in and help animals.”
Di Domenico supports legislation aimed at preventing the abuse from occurring.
“Most of the laws that are on the books, a lot of them are over 100 years old,” said Di Domenico. “We want updated laws. We want to be able to stop an animal from suffering. Right now, all the laws the animal has to suffer first before we can act. We're trying to prevent animal suffering. So, if we can get laws on the books that will prevent that first then we can do something to stop animal violence.”
For example, Di Domenico is pushing for a law in New York state similar to endangering the welfare of a child – but it would be endangering the welfare of an animal.
He travels across the state teaching about crimes against animals.
“In my law enforcement role here, as well, I do a lot of education,” said Di Domenico. “That's what the education building is going to be about. Not just helping kids and adults, but also helping other law enforcement agencies learn about animal crimes so that they can enforce those crimes as well.”
A new and improved community experience with an education center is part of the plan. Along with farmyard renovations - expanding pasture space, including for species-specific and quarantine needs.
Infrastructure improvements and facility renovations that modernize care are in the plan that will include improvements to dog and cat kennels, dedicated quarantine spaces, clinic improvements to enhance veterinary services, break spaces for staff decompressing from compassion fatigue and necessary technology updates.
“With each brick we lay to improve our facility, our goal is to become one step closer to our ideal: kindness for all kind," said Calabrese.
All this for our friends on four legs, like Diesel, who may need medical care, training, a forever home and love.
