They hope their contribution inspires others to donate.
Joseph and Marcia Tupper of Manlius, NY, with 3 of their dogs, L-R; "LuLu", a mastif, "Trouper", a boxer, pit bull mix, and "Sasha", a German Sheppard. Manlius, NY -- Marcia Tupper’s experience as a volunteer at the CNY SPCA has often left her in tears.
“People would call desperate for help because they needed us to get animals that were literally dumped on their doorsteps,” said Marcia Tupper, who volunteers a few hours a week at the shelter. “Cartons of kittens, only days old, dumped at their door, and all these animals must to be spayed or neutered.”
Marcia and her husband, Joseph Tupper, recently donated $25,000 to the SPCA in Mattydale, to help the organization build an onsite spay and neuter clinic. The Manlius couple has also committed to give another $25,000 for the clinic next year.
“I know when the economy gets difficult one of the first things that gets the short end of the stick is animals,. We understand that people are in need too, but it’s just not fair, animals can’t fend for themselves.”
- Joseph Tupper
“It became clear that building the clinic was a wonderful goal for the SPCA and it would help the welfare of the animals,” Marcia Tupper said. “I mentioned it to my husband and he said ‘let’s do it.’ He loves his animals too.”
The family makes charitable donations to other organizations, but Joseph Tupper said that it just felt right to help fund the clinic.
“I know when the economy gets difficult one of the first things that gets the short end of the stick is animals,” he said. “We understand that people are in need too, but it’s just not fair, animals can’t fend for themselves.”
SPCA Executive Director Paul Morgan said the Tupper’s donation was one of the largest contributions he has seen made by a family in the past 10 years.
“A $25,000 donation is a wonderful gift to come from a family in our community,” Morgan said. “We are very thankful. And the family said they will donate another $25,000 next year. It is outstanding.”
Construction is complete on converting a building near the shelter at 5878 East Molloy Road into a veterinary clinic. The SPCA secured a $125,000 grant through Assemblywoman Joan Christensen, D-Syracuse, and the state Dormitory Authority to construct the facility. The SPCA now needs to raise $75,000 to purchase the equipment for the clinic.
To donate:
Cash donations can be made through www.cnyspca.org or call 454-4479.
Donations of food, blankets, etc. can be dropped off at the SPCA at 5878 East Molloy Road in Mattydale.
Through a radiothon and a collecting donations, the SPCA has raised $15,857 so far, Morgan said. With the addition of the Tupper’s first $25,000 donation, the shelter now needs to raise about $34,000 more to open the clinic.
Marcia Tupper, a retired kindergarten teacher from the Syracuse City School District, and Joseph Tupper, a professor at Syracuse University, have two grown children and four grandchildren. The couple also has five dogs and two of them were adopted from the SPCA.
Marcia Tupper said she thinks it’s important to stress responsible pet ownership, but she doesn’t think anyone should be denied the ability to have an animal in their life due to financial hardship.
“One of our personal hopes is that the SPCA will expand the clinic to offer low-cost spay and neuter services to community members who need financial assistance,” she said.
She said she hopes the second $25,000 donation, which they will give next year, can help finance the SPCA’s long-term goals for the clinic.
“Obviously we’re doing this for the welfare of the animals, but it turns out that animal welfare is a people thing,” she said. “And what we do for the health and safety of the animals in our community reflects directly back to the quality of life for the people in the community.”
Sarah Moses can be reached at smoses@syracuse.com or 470-2298.