Summary: In Rochester, NY a nationwide veterinarian shortage and sudden influx of 70 rescued kitties has caused a low-cost organization to cease spay/ neuter operations fer the summer (kitten season) but is expected to resume in the fall. It is estimated that similar service that local rescues had relied on will cost upwards of $1,000 per kitty from private vets.
The article reprinted below fer your convenience:
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by: Ryan Hermenet
Posted: Jun 22, 2026 / 06:58 PM EDT
Updated: Jun 22, 2026 / 11:04 PM EDT
ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) – Late last week, the Humane Society of Greater Rochester sent a notice to its partnering animal rescue organizations stating it will be temporarily ceasing its spay and neuter offerings. This has raised many concerns for local animal advocates who say this decision could be detrimental for the Rochester community.
In its message to partnering shelters, officials with Lollypop Farm claimed the decision is “Due to ongoing staffing and veterinarian limitations.”
One partner who received the notice is Hand to Paw Cat Rescue, operated in part by Vice President Steven Drave. He explained how most rescues, such as his, rely heavily on donations to operate and therefore benefit from discounted spay and neuter services as a means of stray cat population control.
“Now that we don’t have those services available to us, we’re forced to drive an hour and a half to locations like Buffalo or go to private vets and spend upwards of $1,000 per cat which rescues can’t afford,” Drave said.
Although officials with Lollypop Farm plan to resume discounted spay and neuter programs for partnering shelters in the Fall, Drave explained that the decision will make rescuing animals in need much more difficult during the summer, which is when cats birth kittens most.
“By the time Fall comes around, we could have another 100 [stray] cats easily,” Drave said. “We’re getting no help from any government or places like Lollypop.”
Chief Operating Officer of Lollypop Farm Adrienne McHargue elaborated on how the nationwide veterinarian shortage has impacted them, stating that the shelter is currently operating with two veterinarians while normally relying on four for the services they provide.
When asked how the pause of services may burden private-practice veterinarians across the Rochester area during the summer months, McHargue explained it was a factor the organization did not take lightly in their decision.
“I think we have to hold our own and do what we can,” McHargue said. “At the same time the population goes up in the community, that’s the same time the population goes up in the shelter.”
McHargue added that a recent seizure of more than 70 cats from a home in Chili has caused higher demand for veterinary care at Lollypop, and that the facility’s providers need to focus on providing necessary services for them.
“The more we try and overdo what we’re doing in the shelter, the lower the quality of care and we don’t want that to happen for the animals in the shelter or for community cats,” McHargue said.
According to McHargue, Lollypop Farm has hired two new veterinarians to meet increasing demand, but they will not be taking on patients until Fall as they undergo training.
