By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 4 August 2026 at 8:03 am
Photo by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Orleans County Legislator Don Allport, right, presents a proclamation to the team at Medina Memorial Hospital’s Wound Care Center, which recently earned the designation of “Wound Care Center of Distinction” by Healogics.
The Wond Care team includes program director Lisa Albanese, medical director Dr. Joseph Canzoneri, clinical nurse manager Teresa Clark, nurse practitioner Amanda McDonald, RN Kristen Warriner, LPN Melissa Neuman and office manager Budena Hess.
This is the second time, the Wound Care Center has been designated a “Center of Distinction” by Healogics, the nation’s largest provider of advanced wound care. The honor was earned for having achieved 82% wound mix adjusted CHR with a patient satisfaction rating of 96%.
The Wound Care Center has grown from a small program operating just two days a week into a four-day-a-week center. Patients who once had to travel out of county to get this kind of care can now receive it at Medina Memorial.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 3 August 2026 at 10:03 pm
Photo by Tom Rivers
ALBION – The Orleans County Legislature and District Attorney Susan Howard, second from right, last week presented “Commendations of Excellency” to first responders and investigators in a Medina arson case.
Zachary Natale, 32, of Medina pleaded guilty to the crime and on April 1 was sentenced to 13 years in state prison by Orleans County Court Judge Sanford Church. Natale also was ordered to pay $270,000 in restitution.
Natale admitted to setting a fire on Dec. 17, 2024 at 207 Bates Rd. That fire forced a mother and her 9-year-old son to evacuate.
Howard during the April 1 sentencing said Natale caused a “terrifying, horrifying ordeal” for the victims where they could have been killed, and also put local firefighters in danger.
Howard and County Legislator Skip Draper, right, praised the first responders for preventing a loss of life from the blaze. Howard and Draper also commended law enforcement and fire investigators for their work which led to a conviction in the case.
Pictured from left include: officer Dustin Meredith – Medina Police Department, Sargeant Jonathon McManus – Medina Police Department, Investigator Chris Seefeldt – Medina Fire Department, Investigator Jacob Crooks – Medina Fire Department, Chief Steven Cooley – Medina Fire Department, Investigator Scott Kuhlmey – Erie County Sheriff’s Department with K-9 Clipper, Investigator Dave Clary – Orleans County Emergency Management, Investigator Brian Marsceill – Orleans County Sheriff’s Department, District Attorney Susan Howard, and Legislator Skip Draper.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 30 July 2026 at 4:00 pm
County accepts $1.5 million electrical bid for project after $4.8 million in bids approved in April
File photo by Tom Rivers: The current emergency management office was built as an early 1960s bomb shelter. It has a leaking roof and a shortage of space.
ALBION – The Orleans County Legislature has accepted a $1.5 million electrical bid, the last piece for a new Emergency Management Office.
The Legislature on April 28 accepted three bids for nearly $5 million for the project: $3,931,000 for general construction by the Watson Construction Group Inc. of Albion; $360,000 for plumbing/fire protection by McGrain Mechanical of Rochester; and $547,500 to McGrain Mechanical of Rochester for HVAC.
An electrical bid was approved on Tuesday for $1,525,000 from the Watson Construction Group Inc. of Albion.
That puts the total construction expense at $6,363,500.
The new building will be one-story and 7,700 square feet. It was downsized from a proposal for a 17,000-square-foot building. Initially county officials sought a new building that was 11,000 square feet for offices and classrooms, and another 5,600 square feet for equipment storage. That complex would have topped $12 million.
The county has been awarded a $2 million federal grant secured by U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand and Congresswoman Claudia Tenney.
The new building will be west of the current structure that is about 3,000 square feet. Most of the current EMO building is underground and is prone to flooding after heavy rains. It isn’t handicapped accessible and is tight on space. County officials eventually want to have that building demolished but that isn’t part of the construction bids.
The new building will include offices for the EMO’s three full-time staff, a classroom for training for firefighters and other first responders, and space to have the backup 911 dispatch system.
ALBION – Orleans County is now accepting applications for New York State Office of Children and Family Services grant funds related to Youth Development Programming (YDP), Youth Team Sports (YTS) and Youth Sports and Education Funding (YSEF). Funding for the new program year runs from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.
Kelly Kiebala, Orleans County Youth Bureau administrator, said there are separate applications and required documents for each funding source which can be found on the Youth Bureau website at https://www.orleanscountyny.gov/youth.
Kiebala said the Youth Bureau will be holding a workshop on Wednesday, August 12th from 1 to 2 p.m. at the Orleans County Administration Building in Albion for anyone interested in applying. To register for the workshop or for assistance in filling out the application and any related questions, please call 585-589-2767 or email OrleansCountyYouthBureau@orleanscountyny.gov.
“We want to ensure that youth organizations across the county that provide such valuable services to our young people pursue this funding, and we particularly encourage groups that have never applied before to do so,” said Kiebala. “If you are considering submitting a grant application, I hope you give strong consideration to attending our workshop so we can help you through the process.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 28 July 2026 at 9:49 pm
ALBION – The Orleans County Legislature this afternoon approved a new five-year contract with 160 employees in the CSEA union, giving them a significant pay boost.
Under the agreement, employees will receive an immediate wage increase of 2 percent for 2026 and then 2 percent in 2027, combined with shifting steps, resulting in a 4.7 percent increase.
Then employees will receive a 2 percent increase every six months until the end of the agreement.
The county was on the low end of the pay scale with neighboring counties, including about $2 per hour less than next door Genesee County, said Jack Welch, the county’s chief administrative officer.
The CSEA union represents most of the county employees outside of the Sheriff’s Department. The contract was overwhelmingly ratified by CSEA members. The agreement runs retroactively from Jan. 1, 2026 through Dec. 31, 2030.
“We value our workforce and believe these are reasonable and necessary increases that will help Orleans County remain competitive with surrounding counties, recruit and retain qualified employees, and ensure the continued delivery of the vital public services county residents rely upon,” Welch said. “We also believe the agreement is mindful of taxpayers and the need to remain under the property tax cap.”
The new agreement builds upon the parties’ previous one-year contract, which transitioned employees to the New York State Health Insurance Program and resulted in significant health insurance savings for the county and the employees.
The agreement also adds CSEA Employee Benefit Fund dental and vision plans to the contract for the first time, with the county paying for individual vision coverage while employees can pay for family coverage and have the option to purchase dental coverage themselves through payroll deductions.
The agreement also allows part-time employees, who were not previously included in the regular salary step process, to advance through the salary schedule based on their compensated hours.
“This agreement reflects the strong communication between our negotiating team and the membership throughout the process,” said CSEA Orleans County Unit President Heather Jackson. “Our members remained engaged, shared their priorities and helped us shape an agreement that recognizes their years of service and the value of the work they perform for Orleans County every day.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 22 July 2026 at 9:12 am
Photo by Tom Rivers: Tracy Chalker, Clarendon highway supervisor, said the town’s costs are up significantly for plowing and salting roads.
CLARENDON – The 10 towns in Orleans County are seeking a 30 percent increase for plowing and salting county roads.
Orleans County currently pays the towns $7,218 per mile in an agreement that ends Dec. 31. That price however isn’t nearly enough to cover the towns’ expense for plowing and salting, said Tracy Chalker, the Clarendon highway superintendent. He also is president of the Orleans County Town Highway Superintendents Association.
Chalker said the costs of fuel, salt, labor and plow trucks have all increased dramatically since the last agreement was approved five years ago.
The towns aren’t seeking to make money by plowing the roads for the county, but they do want to cover their costs, Chalker told the Clarendon Town Board on Tuesday.
“We’re not looking to make a profit but the Town of Clarendon and the other towns shouldn’t have to eat the costs for the county,” Chalker said.
Clarendon plows 14.94 miles of county roads, for 29.88 lane miles. Those roads include Upper Holley Road, South Holley Road, Fancher Road, Hindsburg Road and section of New Guinea Road.
The highway department did 150 plow runs last winter, using 6,723 pounds of salt every time on the county roads, Chalker said.
He tallied the costs at $123,798 for the 14.94 miles for a per mile cost of $8,286. Chalker said those calculations are light on the total expense because employee benefits aren’t included.
The towns are seeking a 30 percent increase or $2,165 more per mile in 2027, for $9,383. They then want a 5 percent increase each following year in the five-year agreement.
The $7,218 rate per mile adds up to $107,836 for Clarendon, leaving a significant deficit, Chalker said.
Jack Welch, the county chief administrative officer, has shared a letter with the 10 towns, listing what other nearby counties pay towns for plowing and salting. Welch said Orleans County is paying slightly more than other counties. Welch reported the following: Orleans at $7,218; Monroe at $7,010; Genesee at $6,954; Wyoming at $7,000; and Ontario at $6,954.
Clarendon officials noted that most other nearby counties share far more in sales tax than Orleans County does with towns and villages. Orleans hasn’t increased the share to municipalities since 2001.
The Clarendon Town Board passed a formal resolution on Tuesday seeking the 30 percent increase for 2027 to plow and salt county roads, with 5 percent increases to follow from 2028 to 2031. Clarendon and the other towns also are seeking a 30 percent increase in mowing the sides of county roads. They are currently paid $759 per mile.
“I think that’s reasonable because the county isn’t sharing the sales tax,” Town Councilman Chris Caufield said about the 30 percent increase.
The county currently doesn’t have plow trucks or the personnel to plow and salt their own roads. Chalker said the towns just want a fair deal to cover their costs.
“We want to stay on good terms with the county,” he said. “We want to work with them. We don’t want to beat them up.”
Agency will be at the Orleans County 4-H Fair next week to discuss services
Press Release, Orleans Community Connects
KNOWLESVILLE – Orleans Community Connects, Inc. is helping residents gain the skills they need to thrive in today’s digital world through its free Digital Skills Education program, providing friendly, local support that empowers individuals and families to confidently use technology in their everyday lives.
The program is delivered by the Orleans County Cornell Cooperative Extension and is available to all Orleans County residents.
As more essential services move online, digital literacy has become critical for accessing healthcare, employment opportunities, government resources, financial services, and staying connected with family and friends. Through free group classes and personalized one-on-one assistance, participants can learn how to safely navigate the internet, use email and video calling platforms, access telehealth services, search and apply for jobs, and protect their privacy online.
“Digital skills are no longer optional – they are essential for participating in everyday life,” said Nyla Gaylord, executive director of Orleans Community Connects. “Our goal is to ensure every resident has the confidence and support needed to take advantage of the opportunities available online. Come visit us and NSN at the Orleans County Fair July 27th through Aug 1st inside the Lartz building for more information on these programs.”
In addition to digital skills education, Orleans Community Connects, Inc. is helping bridge the digital divide by connecting residents to affordable high-speed internet service through North Shore Networks, with plans starting at $25 per month, helping ensure that households have access to the connectivity needed to learn, work, and stay engaged.
The initiative is supported through ConnectALL, New York State’s historic effort to expand broadband access, affordability, and digital equity across the state. Funding for the deployment of internet service and Digital Skills Education was awarded to Orleans County through the ConnectALL program.
Residents interested in learning more about FREE Digital Skills Education or affordable internet options can visit OrleansCommunityConnects.org/Programs or call 585-283-4224.
About Orleans Community Connects
Orleans Community Connects, Inc. is dedicated to strengthening community connections and expanding access to resources that improve quality of life for Orleans County residents. Through partnerships with local organizations, the initiative works to increase digital inclusion, connectivity, and access to opportunities that support education, employment, healthcare, and community engagement.
About Empire State Development
Empire State Development is New York’s chief economic development agency, and promotes business growth, job creation, and greater economic opportunity throughout the state. With offices in each of the state’s 10 regions, ESD oversees the Regional Economic Development Councils, supports broadband equity through the ConnectALL office, and is growing the workforce of tomorrow through the Office of Strategic Workforce Development. The agency engages with emerging and next generation industries like clean energy and semiconductor manufacturing looking to grow in New York State, operates a network of assistance centers to help small businesses grow and succeed, and promotes the state’s world class tourism destinations through I LOVE NY. For more information, please visit esd.ny.gov, and connect with ESD on LinkedIn, Facebook, and X.
Provided photo: Orleans County Legislators Lynne Johnson and Skip Draper, near center, join other county leaders from across New York for the National Association of Counties (NACo) Annual Conference in New Orleans.
Press Release, Orleans County government
Orleans County Legislature Chairman Lynne Johnson and Legislator Skip Draper today joined a delegation of county leaders from across the state to represent New York at the National Association of Counties (NACo) Annual Conference in New Orleans. Thousands of county officials from across the United States are taking part in the event.
The conference includes dozens of committee and caucus meetings, educational workshops, general sessions and more. Sessions will offer learning and practical insights on the full range of county responsibilities and domestic policy issues.
“The breadth of subject matter experts discussing issues that impact us locally makes this conference extremely important and worthwhile,” Johnson said. “Just today, conference topics included accessing federal transportation dollars, using data to improve youth mental health services and new strategies for affordable housing. These are the real nuts and bolts issues of governing and thankfully, it’s completely free of partisan politics.”
Johnson said that two sessions were of particular interest to Orleans County. The first was the Great Lakes Regional Forum, where Johnson shared information on the joint county dredging council she helps lead with Niagara County.
The second was a meeting of Justice and Public Safety Committee where officers with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) did a presentation on the proliferation of 3-D weapons. Johnson, who noted she and Draper both serve on the committee, said ATF officers will be coming to Albion to instruct local law enforcement on the issue.
Legislator Draper said that beyond the impressive guest speakers and presenters, the conference offers ample opportunity to talk with county leaders from different parts of the country on addressing mutual issues and challenges.
“Orleans County’s participation in the conference with other New York officials strengthens our ability to share ideas, learn what’s working in other communities, and return with proven solutions that benefit the people we serve,” said Draper.
The National Association of Counties (NACo) represents the interests of America’s counties, serving as a powerful voice in federal policymaking and a vital part of our nation’s intergovernmental system. With a membership of thousands of county elected and professional officials, NACo brings together leaders from across the country to shape national policies, share best practices and strengthen counties for a stronger America.
Press Release, Genesee/Finger Lakes Regional Planning Council
John Fitzak
ROCHESTER – The Genesee/Finger Lakes Regional Planning Council (G/FLRPC) has approved its Executive Committee leadership for the upcoming term, reaffirming its commitment to supporting their membership, which includes the 9 counties and 188 municipalities across the Genesee-Finger Lakes region.
John Fitzak of Orleans County has been reappointed as chairman. Fitzak, a carlton resident, is an Orleans County legislator.
Fred Wille of East Bloomfield in Ontario County will serve as vice chairman, and Nathan Rudgers of Covington in Wyoming County has been reappointed as treasurer.
G/FLRPC works in partnership with local governments to provide technical assistance, planning support, and access to regional resources. The organization’s leadership helps guide these efforts to ensure municipalities have the technical assistance, tools, and information needed to address local priorities and opportunities.
“I’m excited to be reappointed as Chair of G/FLRPC,” said Fitzak. “Our region’s strength comes from collaboration at the local level. I encourage municipalities to reach out to G/FLRPC (info@gflrpc.org) to better understand the full range of services our staff provide and how we can support your community’s goals.”
Municipal leaders are encouraged to connect with G/FLRPC staff to learn more about available services, including planning assistance, grant support, data analysis, and regional coordination initiatives.
G/FLRPC remains committed to working closely with local governments to strengthen communities and advance shared regional priorities.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 29 June 2026 at 9:24 am
Orleans County Amateur Radio Club competed in Amateur Radio Field Day exercise over the weekend
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Two ham radio operators – Jim Salyer, left, and Chuck Baker – make connections with other ham radio operators around the country on Sunday.
The Orleans County Amateur Radio Club participated in the annual Amateur Radio Field Day exercise on Saturday and Sunday at the Orleans County Emergency Management Office, 14064 West County House Rd.
The OCARC has been active in this Field Day exercise since 1961. This event ran from 2 p.m. on Saturday until 2 p.m. on Sunday. The Orleans ham radio operators were up to 822 connections at 1:30 p.m. with a half hour to go.
Since 1933, ham radio operators across North America have established temporary ham radio stations in public locations during Field Day to showcase the science and skill of Amateur Radio.
There are more than 725,000 licensed hams in the United States, as young as 9 and as old as 100. And with clubs such as the Orleans County Amateur Radio Club, it’s easy for anybody to get involved right here in the Orleans County area.
The Orleans club welcomed the public to the event over the weekend and served up food. Ray Hertel of Shelby is shown at the grill with Eugene Baker of East Shelby in back.
Hertel said he got into ham radio about 30 years ago after being injured at work with the Niagara Mohawk. He was laid up for six months. Two of his friends introduced him to ham radio and he has been active with the hobby since then.
He enjoys the camaraderie with the other radio operators. The Orleans club meets 7:30 p.m. on the second Monday each month at the EMO site, 14064 West County House Rd.
The club will also be at the Orleans County 4-H Fair on Aug. 1 doing demonstrations and will be at the Oak Orchard Lighthouse on Aug. 22-23.
Eugene Baker became active in ham radio four years ago when he woke up one day and his cell phone wouldn’t work. He didn’t like the feeling of having his communication system shut down.
He talked with local ham radio enthusiast Terry Cook and Baker embraced the hobby.
“It’s a great group of guys to hang out with,” he said.
Ron Craig of Middleport sends out signals from the digital ham radio center on Sunday.
The Orleans club had nearly 1,000 connections with its signal – 2FWNY.
Ham radio can function completely independent of the internet or cell phone infrastructure.
Bruce Sidari is shown inside the EMO at the ham radio station. Sidari of Albion has been in ham radio since he was 12 – about 65 years ago.
He said he has made friends all over the country through ham radio, meeting many of the people at conventions.
The local club has won many competitions over the years.
“I like the technology,” Sidari said. “It keeps my brain moving.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 22 June 2026 at 11:54 am
Seneca Chief will be open for tours on Wednesday in Holley, Thursday in Medina
Photos by Tom Rivers: This group gets a ride on the Seneca Chief replica boat last year as part of the commemorative bicentennial journey of the original Seneca Chief that took Gov. DeWitt Clinton across the entire newly constructed Erie canal in 1825. The photo shows the replica boat headed east as it passes though Eagle Harbor under the lift bridge on Sept. 26, 2025.
The Seneca Chief will be back in Orleans County this week with the public welcome to take free tours of the boat when it’s in Holley on Wednesday and then in Medina on Thursday.
The vessel is a replica of the boat that took Gov. DeWitt Clinton on the maiden voyage across the newly built Erie Canal in 1825, going from Buffalo to New York City.
Volunteers at the Buffalo Maritime Center worked for four years to recreate the Seneca Chief. The 73-foot-long replica received great fanfare last year as part of the 200th anniversary celebration of the Erie Canal.
The Seneca Chief is on a three-week “Back to Buffalo” journey. The boat left Waterford on June 6 and will reach Buffalo on June 27. It will be in Rochester today and Tuesday before heading west. It is scheduled to reach Holley and be open for tours at 4 p.m. on Wednesday.
Holley will have food vendors – Red Osier Lands & Lobsters, Dottie’s Lemonade, and Red, White and Moo. People are encouraged to park at the former Save-A-Lot store’s parking lot and then head to Holley’s Canal Park. A band comprised of Holley students – PSA-Public Service Announcement – also will be performing.
Holley elementary students – Robbie Weit, Vivian Applegate and Timothy Hendrickson – have been selected to board the boat in Brockport and ride the canal to Holley, Mayor Mark Bower said. They will be joined by their parents, Murray-Holley Historical Society President Dan Mawn and Village Historian Raymond Santoro.
The schedule in Holley includes:
3 p.m. – Seneca Chief arrives at Holley Canal Park
3:30 p.m. – Welcome ceremony
4 p.m. – Visitor experience that is open to the public. Music starts and food vendors open.
7 p.m. – Visitor experience public hours end
The Seneca Chief will depart Holley at noon on Thursday and head to Medina.
The event schedule for Medina includes:
3:30 p.m. – Seneca Chief arrives at Medina Canal Basin
4 p.m. – Welcome ceremony
4:30 p.m. – Visitor experience that is open to the public
7 p.m. – Visitor experience public hours end
Visitors checked out the inside of the Seneca Chief on Aug. 12, 2024 when it made a test run of its bicentennial journey. In August in 2024, the boat went from Buffalo to Rochester and back.
The Buffalo Maritime Center said the boat’s keel, frames, and other structural timbers were made of white oak. The keelson was a single 60-foot-long piece of reclaimed Douglas Fir.
The center says this about the wood in the boat:
“The planking consisted of two layers of 1-inch-thick cypress with a waterproof dynel cloth set in epoxy between the layers. The outer layer of planking was caulked with cotton in the traditional manner. This combination of modern and traditional planking methods was designed to help the boat stay watertight even if it spent winters out of the water.
“All of the bolts used in the backbone structure were forged in the BMC’s own machine shop by a crew of volunteers. This crew also produced several specialized tools and hardware needed to build the boat.”
The Seneca Chief is shown passing under the Main Street lift bridge in Albion last year on Sept. 26.
Location moved from DPW to County EMO on West County House Road
Photo by Tom Rivers: Employees from Environmental Enterprises, Inc. of Cincinnati work at a household hazardous waste collection in Albion on Aug. 16, 2025. EEI employees are at the solvent station where oil, anti-freeze and solvents are collected. More than 500 Orleans County residents were able to get rid of leftover chemicals, batteries, tires, oil and solvents during the household hazardous waste collection day.
Press Release, Orleans County government
ALBION – The Orleans County Planning Office today announced that registration is now open for the county’s annual household hazardous waste (HHW) collection event, which will be held on Saturday, August 8. The event is open to all Orleans County residents but you must register in advance.
Please note the event location has changed to the Orleans County Office of Emergency Management Complex located at 14064 West County House Road West in Albion. The county will collect all acceptable items from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. The 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. slot is reserved for tire collection only.
Mandatory registration can be done by calling the county Planning Office at 585-589-3198 between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.
“This is Orleans County’s annual collection event that I know a lot of residents like to plan for to get rid of those leftover chemicals, batteries, tires and other items that are lying around in the garage, basement or shed,” said Corey Winters, director of the Planning Office. “And more than just getting rid of this clutter, people can be assured these items are being disposed of in a safe and environmentally-responsible way.”
Winters said acceptable items include pesticides, motor oiler & filters, adhesives, antifreeze, solvents, batteries, fluorescent bulbs, aerosols, old-based paints, empty propane tanks, and new for 2026 tires consisting of Passenger, Commercial, Heavy Duty, Agriculture, and Tracks) (limit 10 passenger and 10 of the other types.)
Items that cannot be accepted include explosives, pressurized tanks, ammunition, PCBs, radioactive waste, medical waste, and electronics. If you have questions regarding a specific item, please call the Planning Office.
“We have opened up registration early so we can properly plan and be ready to accommodate as many residents as possible who want to take part,” said Winters. “When you call to register, please be prepared to generally describe the type of chemicals and/or the number of tires you will be disposing.”
Photo and information courtesy of Orleans County government
ALBION – July 4, 2026 marks the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the foundational document of the American Revolution, which took place between 1774 and 1783 and led to the creation of the United States of America.
What is now the State of New York played a crucial and enduring role not only during the Revolutionary Era but also throughout the subsequent 250 years of the nation’s history.
Sunday was Flag Day and to celebrate that day in conjunction with our nation’s 250th birthday, we have added a special commemorative flag to fly under the official United States flag at our county administration building in Albion.
Throughout the year, Orleans County will celebrate America 250 with history lectures, themed events, reenactments, parades, and more. Learn more at https://www.orleanscountytourism.com/america-250.
Press Release, Orleans County Sheriff Chris Bourke
ALBION – We are pleased to announce that the Orleans County Animal Shelter, operated under the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office, has received a $500,000 grant under the 2025-2026 New York State Companion Animal Projects Funds Grant Program.
The New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets Inspectors issued reports in 2024 and 2025 indicating that our shelter was not in compliance with current and newly enacted standards with respect to the infrastructure and animal housing areas of our facility. Undersheriff Donald Draper Jr., along with our Animal Control Officers, worked with the NYS Ag and Markets Officials to identify the areas of our shelter in need of improvement The Companion Animal Projects Grant application required a tremendous amount of work including identifying contractors to provide quotes for the mandatory upgrades to bring us into compliance with state standards.
The Orleans County Animal Shelter needs concrete replacement, drainage repair and replacement, new inside and outside kennels and related equipment, a new HVAC system for proper temperature control, electrical work and lighting, resizing the inside housing areas for dogs and cats to meet new standards along with other structural work.
The Orleans County Sheriff’s Animal Control Officers will continue to respond to calls for service regarding issues with dogs and cats. We will temporarily house cats when necessary pursuant to the NYS Public Health Law and the Agriculture and Markets Law. We currently have very limited suitable space for cats.
Our Shelter cannot be a drop-off location for cats, but we are working closely with our cat rescue partners locally and in Western New York to find suitable placements for cats in need of care and housing. We are also in the process of rebuilding our shelter’s volunteer program along with partnering with local rescues to ensure we provided the opportunity for as many animals as possible to find new homes. Our goal is to serve our community and care for our animals to the best of our ability.
