A Voice for the Voiceless: Dr. Kyra Haring’s Fight for an Animal Shelter in Warren & Washington Counties
When Dr. Kyra Haring, veterinarian and owner of For Pet’s Sake Veterinary Center in Glens Falls, launched a petition earlier this year, she wasn’t just seeking signatures—she was seeking justice for the animals of Warren and Washington Counties. Despite decades of documented neglect and abuse cases, these two counties remain without a single county-operated animal shelter. For Haring, that absence has created a vacuum of care — and a moral crisis.
The Missing Safety Net
Haring, who has practiced veterinary medicine since the late 1990s, has long worked alongside state troopers, sheriffs, and animal control officers across Saratoga, Warren, and Washington Counties. Over the years, she’s treated victims of cruelty cases and testified before grand juries. What she’s seen, she says, is both heartbreaking and fixable.
“Most people don’t even realize that Warren and Washington Counties don’t have a county animal shelter,” she explained. “Even some veterinarians don’t know. It’s shocking how many people assume there’s a system in place — there isn’t.”
Without a shelter, law enforcement officers responding to abuse or neglect calls often find themselves with no place to take rescued animals. “These officers care deeply,” Haring said. “They want to help, but their hands are tied by a lack of facilities and a clear process.”
In one especially troubling case out of Whitehall, it took more than 400 days for authorities to remove animals from a property where abuse was reported. By the time troopers intervened, the animals were severely malnourished and injured. Three of them ended up under Haring’s care, where they remain today. “There was no place else for them to go,” she said. “And that’s the problem.”
The Cost of Inaction
Haring’s accounts are often difficult to hear—animals beaten, starved, or abandoned—but her focus is on preventing future suffering. “This isn’t about pointing fingers,” she said. “It’s about recognizing that law enforcement and veterinarians are working in a broken system that gives them very few options.”
Currently, Warren and Washington Counties rely on dog control officers and limited contracts with outside groups such as the SPCA of Upstate New York. However, there is no comprehensive county shelter where animals can be housed, rehabilitated, and rehomed.
County boards frequently cite cost as the main barrier, but Haring believes that argument no longer holds up. “The answer is always financial,” she said, “but there’s state and federal funding out there. What’s missing is acknowledgment that the need exists and the will to start the process.”
Building Awareness and Political Support
Haring’s petition—now posted on Change.org under the title “Establish a Funded Animal Shelter for Warren and Washington Counties”—has already gathered more than 1,500 signatures. It outlines the growing crisis and calls on both counties to take joint responsibility for protecting their animals.
She’s encouraging residents to attend upcoming county board meetings to show visible community support. “The animals can’t show up for themselves,” she said. “We have to show up for them.”
Haring has also reached out to higher levels of government, including Congresswoman Elise Stefanik’s office, and is consulting with nearby counties—such as Saratoga—on how they successfully established their own facilities. “We just need to start somewhere,” she said. “Even a modest building would be better than nothing. Once people see progress, volunteers and donations will follow.”
Challenges and Next Steps
Key obstacles:
- Limited public awareness – Many residents assume the counties already have shelters.
- Funding hesitancy – Officials cite budget constraints despite potential grant and state assistance.
- Inter-county cooperation – A shared facility would require joint governance and coordination.
- Manpower and planning – Staffing, volunteers, and operational systems would need to be built from scratch.
Steps in motion:
- Petition and outreach – Haring’s Change.org petition continues to gain traction.
- Community engagement – Residents are encouraged to speak at county meetings and share stories of stray or neglected animals.
- Collaboration with law enforcement – Haring envisions a shelter that works with officers, giving them a reliable partner and a clear process when animals are seized.
- Research and partnerships – Meetings with established shelter leaders are helping map out funding and operational models.
A Collaborative Vision
Haring sees a shelter not just as a rescue facility, but as a hub for community education, low-cost spay/neuter programs, and a resource for officers and residents alike. “A shelter would create structure,” she said. “When a trooper or deputy encounters an abused animal, they should know exactly who to call and where to bring that animal. Right now, they don’t have that option.”
She stresses that local police and sheriffs have been supportive, often reaching out to her for help in difficult cases. “They’re doing their best with what they have,” she said. “I’m advocating to give them what they need — a real safety net for these animals.”
A Community Mission
For Pet’s Sake Veterinary Center has long been a haven for animals in need, but Haring admits she can’t do it alone. “This isn’t about me,” she said. “It’s about creating something lasting for our community — a humane, coordinated response that protects both people and animals.”
Her advocacy has sparked both praise and pushback online, but she remains undeterred. “Every time someone shares the petition or shows up at a meeting, we move a little closer,” she said. “These animals can’t speak for themselves. We have to be their voice.”
How to Help:
- Sign the petition: Establish a Funded Animal Shelter for Warren & Washington Counties
- Attend county board meetings to share your support during public comment.
- Contact local legislators and ask them to prioritize animal welfare funding.
- Share on social media to keep awareness growing.
About Dr. Kyra Haring
Dr. Kyra Haring is the owner and lead veterinarian at For Pet’s Sake Veterinary Center in Glens Falls, New York. With more than 25 years of experience, she has been a passionate advocate for animal welfare across Warren, Washington, and Saratoga Counties. Dr. Haring is currently leading the effort to establish a county-supported animal shelter serving Warren and Washington Counties.
📍 For Pet’s Sake Veterinary Center
97 Broad Street, Glens Falls, NY 12801
🌐 www.fps.vet
📧 KyraHaringFPS@gmail.com
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