Community Programs

Many times, Hudson Valley Hospice patients and their family members are faced with the distressing prospect that upon the death of the patient, there will be no one to care for their beloved pets. These pets have offered unconditional love and acceptance, comfort and companionship throughout the patient’s life.

The Boyd Pets Adoption Project provides Hudson Valley  Hospice patients and their families with a free service, through the Dutchess County SPCA, to ensure that their beloved pets are cared for, and adopted upon the death of the patient. The program is made possible through funds established by the Susanne P. Boyd and Darrel Boyd Foundation for Animal Welfare.

Working jointly with the Dutchess County SPCA, pets coming from Hudson Valley Hospice patient’s homes will be placed at the shelter, located at 636 Violet Avenue in Hyde Park.

The cost of physical assessment, as well boarding the animal, will be covered by funds established by the Boyd Trust.

If you are interested in adopting one of these very special animals, contact the Dutchess County SPCA at 845-452-7722 or call Hudson Valley Hospice at 845-473-2273

The Dutchess County SPCA and Grace Smith House are working together to protect battered women and their pets. The DCSPCA will provide safe shelter for pets while battered women stay at the Grace Smith House emergency shelter. Contact Grace Smith House for more information at (845) 471-3033

The program, called Safe Pet Sheltering, offers up to 90 days of shelter for animals in a safe, undisclosed and confidential location while their owner is staying in the Grace Smith House Emergency Shelter.

Following the 2010 murder of Linda Riccardulli by her husband, Anthony, the Dutchess County Legislature’s Citizens’ Advisory Committee on Domestic Violence submitted a report outlining several recommendations for the county, including providing temporary sheltering for pets to assure they are not pawns or impede a victim’s ability to escape violence.

The Dutchess program was based on similar ones in Albany and Rensselaer counties.

In partnership with MHA of Dutchess County and Wounded Warriors, DCSPCA is proud to honor our veterans by providing them with a furry friend for life. Pets 4 Vets matches a companion animal with veterans who have PTSD or who would benefit from the companionship of a pet to help relieve the stressful after-effects of their military experience. If you know of any veteran who would benefit from this program, please refer them to MHA for an application.