West Seneca, N.Y. (WBEN) - Wednesday marks the Audacy Buffalo Radiothon to benefit the SPCA Serving Erie County. This event is one of the biggest fundraisers for the agency, which relies solely on donations.
Gina Lattuca with the SPCA Serving Erie County says there are some false assumptions about the agency.
"There's an assumption that tax dollars come our way, that somehow we're receiving funding from city taxes or county taxes, or they hear SPCA and they think that we're part of a larger national organization. None of that is true," explained Lattuca, which is why the Radiothon is so important.
The event is also an "adoptathon", of sorts.
"We have an adoption special happening during the Radiothon. Adoptions are half off for animals six months and older. We've got Vets and Pets coming back for one day, and that's for a current or previous people who served in the United States Armed Forces, animals can be adapted free of charge to them. That's only coming back Dec. 11," Lattuca noted with WBEN.
She says you'll hear stories about how the SPCA has changed lives, not just the lives of animals, but the lives of the people who love them.
"We've got people coming in telling stories about what the SPCA did in their life, maybe to either help them keep their pets or to help them find just the right pet that has been added to their household and to their families," Lattuca said.
Lattuca says you can donate to the Radiothon right now.
"Of course, people can always come on in in-person, the day of the Radiothon, or any date, and make the donation. But people right now can go to www.yourspca.org/radiothon24, they can donate online. They can learn more about donating through Venmo or PayPal," Lattuca detailed.
Another way to contribute is by becoming an Angel for the Animals.
"To become an angel, you set up automatic deductions through credit cards or through a bank account for 12 months to be an angel. It's $20 a month for 12 months," Lattuca explained.
Lattuca adds it's just a lot of fun not just listening to the Radiothon, but also being at the Radiothon.
"We've got the live broadcasts happening. We have people finding the loves of their lives in four-footed form, people are adopting. It's just a happy, cheerful place," Lattuca said. "We also tell people, if you've never been to the SPCA, or if you have, but you just need a little extra dose of that holiday spirit, it might be a tough holiday this year. Come on down to the Radiothon!"
The Radiothon will be held from 6 a.m. EST until 6 p.m. EST at the SPCA Serving Erie County on Harlem Road in West Seneca.