Shelter Celebrates 50 Years of Success - Plans Garden Party Look Back

The current staff of the Animal Shelter of Schoharie Valley left to right: 

Jamie Brown, Maggie Jackman Pryor, ED, Desiray Foland, Aprille Hadsell, DVM, Camay Layaou, Aleah Schmid

Lewis and Gerda Karker of Richmondville

HOWES CAVE — Many volunteers and staff have made the Animal Shelter of Schoharie Valley a keystone institution in Schoharie County. Despite its well-known efforts and community support, it hasn’t always been this way. From a small group of volunteers operating in an ad hoc fashion to its current building and expansion, the Shelter has made a difference in the lives of thousands of cats, dogs, and residents.

Shelter Director Maggie Jackman Pryor praised the volunteers and employees that made the Shelter so effective. She also made sure to thank officials such as Assemblyman Chris Tague, State Sen. Peter Oberacker, and state Agriculture Commissioner Richard Ball for their steadfast support. In addition to donors such as the late Nick Juried, the officials’ support letters aided the ongoing effort to build a new building in the Shelter campus.

“We are so blessed to have the community,” she said.

Jackman Pryor discussed the long history of the Shelter, growing from an effort of volunteers in its first 15 years after 1975 to its first shelter structure in 1990, followed by its current building in 2014.

The 50th anniversary means a lot to the director, showing “How far we’ve come.”

“The fact that these people 50 years ago saw the need and it’s the same need today. I marvel at what they were able to accomplish with nothing.”
The 50th anniversary celebration has been planned for about six months.

What began as a small group of volunteers has also grown into a number of partnerships, including with SUNY Cobleskill and local businesses. Jackman Pryor said that not a single business refuses to donate. Individual donors have also been invaluable.

“We’re more high-profile because of commitment,” she said.

The Shelter has a high capacity for about 30 dogs and 50 cats.

“They move quickly,” Jackman Pryor said, citing the work of three full-time and four part-time volunteers, as well as 30 volunteers.

Those interested in getting involved can donate time in any way. Some people come to walk dogs. Others donate goods such as pet food, litter, and a specific branded Rescue Cleaner (available on Amazon). Some foster pets for 2-3 weeks, allowing crucial flexibility for the pets to be adopted.

Jackman Pryor prides herself on the fact that the team operates a no-kill Shelter, and she has personally pulled cats and dogs off the euthanasia list. This includes dogs from the South which are relegated to kill shelters. These animals are vetted and healthy upon arrival.

The Shelter has expanded its programs, including a collaboration with schools for students to read with cats.

“That’s stuff I feel that starts when they’re young,” Jackman Pryor said. It gets families involved and helps grow “love of animals early.”

For the director, the best part of her job is interacting with the public at community events. She loves hearing about how the Shelter changed their lives and about adoptions of cats and dogs. It sometimes brings her to tears, she said, and is “gratifying.” Some people will send her pictures of their adopted furry friends.

She also discussed the high-profile case of the dog Whiskey, who was rescued from an airplane crash in Greene County and has undergone a number of serious surgeries. Jackman Pryor is in constant contact with Whiskey’s owner Cyndy Ross, and showed photos of the brave pup’s recovery.

Ross is “so committed to that dog,” the director said. Whiskey has recently learned how to walk again.

In particular, Jackman Pryor highlighted the new building being added to the Shelter grounds, which will feature an on-site veterinarian. This is key, she said. There is a valuable partnership with the Susquehanna SPCA in Cooperstown that helps with a number of important medical and other needs. However, having a vet right there will mean that there will not be the need for long round-trips to take care of the animals, including for routine procedures.

The new building would not be possible without the late Nick Juried, formerly of Gilboa. Juried aided a number of local projects

As part of the 50th anniversary, Grapevine Farms on Route 7 in Cobleskill will be hosting the Shelter's Garden Party on Saturday, Sept. 13 from 4-7pm. There will be heavy appetizers, music, and a silent auction. Tickets are limited in number and those interested should call the shelter at 518-296-8390.

“We’re excited to celebrate with the community,” Jackman Pryor said.

“Fifty years… that’s crazy.”

Jackman Pryor shared a copy of the Monday, April 23, 1990 Daily Editor with an article by Robert Balme about the opening of the animal shelter. It includes a number of familiar names and volunteers, including Arthur Graulich, the former Carlisle Town Supervisor, County Board Chair, and Shelter member. The creation of the building included $50,000 raised by the group, a donation of the land and $25,000 from the county with the first animal to arrive a part-Labrador retriever, which was followed the next day by three six-month-old Lab puppies. The effort was praised by then-Carlisle Dog Control Officer Bill Milward. Balme wrote that the shelter "has proved an absolute boon to dog control officers in the county. Some have done a commendable job of caring for dogs, often under difficult circumstances, but in other cases little has been done to care for the animal, other than tossing it into a barn or another outbuilding." The Shelter changed that from day one.

We spoke to Shelter board member Cyndi West, who has been volunteering for more than 40 years. She said that there was Richmondville’s Gerda Kerker who was a “great animal lover” who would have a garage sale out in her driveway each week. The money Karker earned from the garage sales would go to the original animal shelter at the Post Office in Howes Cave. Karker gave her a ring-holder as a memento.

West joined the Shelter board in 1993 and cites Sue Schweigard for recommending the role.

She said that her favorite part of being on the board is talking to families who adopted animals from the Shelter and “what it meant to adopt from us and how happy they were.”

The job is difficult but well worth it.

She said that during COVID she had three Dachshunds and after two passed away, she adopted a pug named Lily to be a companion to Fritz, her Dachshund.

West said that the team is “fantastic” that “go above and beyond seven days a week.” She cites the incredible energy of each volunteer and employee.

“They all work together and get the job done,” she said, “they’re fantastic.”

Three weeks ago West received a call about an injured stray dog from a co-worker. She recommended calling Jackman Pryor to bring the dog into an isolation unit and needing specialist care. Jackman Pryor had to leave the Shelter board meeting early after a long day’s work to go to Pattersonville to get the dog, Misty, and bring her back.

“What doesn’t that woman do?” West said, citing the role of Jackman Pryor. She is able to navigate immediate issues and state regulations. She is especially skilled with the public, West said. 

“She’s the pivot person,” she said.

West cited the role of Mary Sagendorf, especially in fundraising. The Shelter has its annual golf tournament, auction, and jewelry sale.

The new vet clinic completes Karker’s vision, said West. Here is a chance to care for the animals emotionally and physically, she added.

“We’ve come full circle at that point.”

The Shelter’s 50th anniversary is very important to West, including that Karker's dream is coming to fruition.

“To know that I’ve been part of that growth and that process. It’s very satisfying. It’s something I’m very proud of.”

Mike West’s 30 years of experience includes a number of initiatives, including joining the board after years of volunteering by his wife Cyndi and himself. There is a lot of “pain” involved with working with the Shelter, including instances of a “really sad story.” He said that the Shelter officials contacted him in cases when people abused animals and was able to assist in his role as an attorney. West said that he was asked to join the board and helped through the Shelter’s “growing pains.”

“I’ll tell you something. This current board,” he said, “they’re fabulous. It’s been our goal for a long time to become more professional in our reach. We’re seen as the first line of defense. If there’s a stray animal. An animal in need.” Often people call the Shelter before they call their local Dog Control Officer, he said.

The board realized that with the “very valued role” of dog control officers, “we were meant to do more than a Shelter.” The board has worked to socialize every animal to find their “forever home” and keep it a no-kill shelter.

He cited employees who stay the night to help dogs about to have puppies and aid animals that have gone through a “terrible time.”
“We’ve evolved to this point over the last several years,” he said, stating that the role has grown into a “great” shelter over the last decade. With the addition of Maggie Jackson Pryor, who he called “inspirational,” the Shelter is working on “all four cylinders.”

West credits Jackman Pryor as “amazing.”

He said that each member of the board has a special talent and participates. Mary Sagendorf and her sister Nancy, President Mary Irving, the college, and more have been excellent resources. He cites volunteers, including dog walkers and “those who give of their time as volunteers.”
West cited the creation of the new building and the importance of being a spay and neuter facility and having an on-site veterinarian. He cited savings being able to have a vet at the building without a wait.

“There’s not enough good things that need to be said,” he added.

West said that board members, employees, and volunteers are able to raise several hundred thousand dollars a year. They “earn, earn, earn through hard work.”

“Every dollar goes to benefit the animals,” he said.

He said that his wife’s work to help animals is “her passion.”

“Her goal in life is to help animals,” he added. His family fosters dogs and has had as many as five.

“It’s just so motivating to see the people who work with the Shelter,” he said. The employees are “quiet” and “great with the dogs and cats.”

“There’s a real history to this Shelter dating back 50 years.” He cited Mary Lou Garrett as “one of the driving forces” behind the Shelter along with Todd Smith, who organizes the golf tournament. “Everyone seems to have a talent.”

He cites goat and puppy yoga, painting with puppies and “so many great ideas.”

The board member cited a donation from a retired teacher from Ballston Spa who gave $65,000 because she views the Shelter’s activities on Facebook. He also cited the incredible role of Nick Juried.

“That legacy will go on for years,” he said. “That’s a legacy that will go on a lot longer in life than some monument in the cemetery. That will be his monument in time. All the good that he’s done.” West hopes that one day he can help further and “give back to the community.”

West hopes to involve more people with the Shelter, including being flexible to help as many animals as possible. He cited an abandoned house in Summit with multiple dogs with no heat and no food about eight years ago that resulted in their rescue. West also cited another abandoned dog near Cobleskill that was tied up to a trailer in a rainstorm.

“I opened the door. There was nothing,” he said. Inside were three fish tanks with large black boa constrictors. There was a person at the Shelter who knew about snakes and recognized the poor condition the snakes were in. The team used a 55-gallon drum filled with gatorade to rehydrate them and donated them to the college.

“There’s probably 100 or more stories,” of rescues and similar saving of animals.

He cites his time as District Attorney where his office and Sheriff’s Office set up a task force to help to save animals. He said that two cases where prosecutors are able to prosecute cases with help from the county, in cases of abuse against children and animals. West hopes that there is increased enforcement against further abuses.

“There’s a lot of great resources,” said West. “There’s still a lot to do,” he said. There is still need for funding to complete the new building, potential volunteers, and potential board members.

“We are so blessed,” he said.C