Ulster County SPCA

What Ulster County SPCA does

Ulster County SPCA is a private, nonprofit 501(c)(3) animal welfare organization established in 1891 and headquartered at 20 Wiedy Road, Kingston, NY. It operates the only humane law agency in Ulster County, with statutory authority for animal cruelty investigations and dog control enforcement, alongside a no-kill animal shelter serving cats, dogs, small animals, and farm animals. The organization employs 15 staff and is governed by a Board of Directors under Executive Director Gina Carbonari.

Its core service portfolio spans adoption (by appointment), low-cost spay/neuter surgery, vaccine and wellness clinics (rabies, distemper, Bordetella, heartworm testing, microchipping), humane education, lost pet recovery, and a foster program. The organization runs the Happy Paws Thrift Store as a revenue-generating retail operation and supplements capacity via Fill the Van mobile donation drives at partner locations including Petco Kingston Plaza.

UCSPCA's business model is community-driven: 95% of funding comes from local donors, businesses, and civic organizations rather than the ASPCA or Ulster County government. Revenue streams include one-time and recurring donations, adoption fees, clinic service fees ($50 non-refundable deposit plus a la carte services), thrift store sales, Friends Society membership tiers ($50-$500+), Pet Pal Sponsorships ($50), seasonal pet photo sessions ($10), corporate and event sponsorships (Fur Ball, Putt Fore Paws, Deck the Paws), and limited newsletter advertising restricted to animal-related businesses. Customer acquisition runs through its website (ucspca.org), social channels (Facebook, Instagram, YouTube), and an organic events calendar, with local business partnerships and civic sponsorships providing amplification.

Name

Ulster County SPCA

Legal name

Ulster County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals

Website

https://ucspca.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1891

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Ulster County SPCA is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit animal welfare organization founded in 1891 in Kingston, NY, operating the county's only humane law agency alongside a no-kill shelter, low-cost spay/neuter and vaccine clinic, and thrift store, funded almost entirely by community donations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Animal Welfare Services

NAICS

Veterinary Services (54194), Veterinary Services (541940), Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Animal Shelters & Adoption Services (BPAGAIAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Low-Cost & Community Veterinary Clinics (HLAMAAAE), Advocacy, Policy & Public Awareness (Animal Welfare) (BPAGAIAJ)

Keywords

• Animal shelter services
• Veterinary clinic services
• Animal welfare enforcement
• Pet adoption programs
• Humane education

Headquarters

HQ city

Kingston

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Adoption Fees: Fees charged for placing animals in adoptive homes
2. Clinic Services: Low-cost spay/neuter and vaccine services for cats and dogs
3. Happy Paws Thrift Store: Retail thrift store operations generating revenue for shelter operations
4. Donations and Contributions: Primary funding source from community members, businesses, and civic organizations. Includes general donations, memorial donations, and tribute gifts
5. Membership Program: Annual Friends Society membership with tiered levels ($50-$500+): Friend ($50), Advocate ($100), Guardian ($250), Champion ($500), Hero ($500+)
6. Pet Pal Sponsorships: Monthly or one-time $50 sponsorship for shelter animal living spaces and care
7. Events and Fundraisers: Annual events including Fur Ball gala, Mutt Strut, CatVideoFest, and holiday events that generate donations and sponsorship revenue

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Ulster County SPCA is a private nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization operating a no-kill animal shelter and low-cost veterinary clinic in Kingston, NY. It provides animal adoption services, spay/neuter and vaccine clinics, humane law enforcement, dog control, humane education, and lost pet recovery, supported by a thrift store and community-funded donation programs.

Product overview

Ulster County SPCA is a private, nonprofit 501(c)(3) animal welfare organization serving Ulster County, NY since 1891. The organization operates as a single unified entity providing animal shelter services rather than a technology platform. Core offerings include animal adoption services (for cats, dogs, small animals, and farm animals), low-cost spay/neuter and vaccination clinics, humane education programs, lost pet reunification, dog control services, and humane law enforcement (the only humane law agency in Ulster County). Supporting programs include the Happy Paws Thrift Store, Foster Program, Pet Pal animal sponsorship, Friends Society membership tiers, Artists for Animals art displays, and seasonal pet photo sessions. The organization also offers corporate and event sponsorship opportunities, and advertising in their newsletters for animal-related businesses.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Happy Paws Thrift Store: Thrift store operated by the Ulster County SPCA to support shelter operations and animal care.

Products and services

• Adoption Services Adoption services placing homeless, abused, and neglected animals (cats, dogs, small animals, farm animals) into permanent homes. Adoptions are by appointment only, with priority given to Ulster County residents and prior UCSPCA adopters.
• Spay/Neuter Clinic

Quantifiable outcome

• 1,200+ pets provided shelter in 2022

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered minor.

• Lucas Pet SupplyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPet Pantry Partner - customers can purchase food and supplies for shelter animals from this local business.
• RMV CellarsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHost venue for Tattoos for Cats event - a portion of day's proceeds go directly to supporting shelter animals.
• Twin Star OrchardsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner venue for adoption events and community fundraising activities.
• PestMaster of the Hudson ValleyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPet of the Month sponsor for 2026, hosting Protect and Give Back Campaign - portion of tick prevention plan proceeds donated to SPCA.
• Petco Kingston PlazaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHost location for Fill the Van drives - monthly donation and adoption event collecting pet supplies.
• Oscilloscope LaboratoriesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner presenting CatVideoFest 2026 - portion of ticket proceeds goes to local cats in need.
• Acadia HRminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAdvertising partner promoting SPCA services through their business channels.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves2 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• PetSmart Charities: Leading funder of animal welfare in North America, supporting adoption, spay/neuter, and pet retention programs at community shelters. Operates as a national grantmaker and partner comparable to UCSPCA's community-funded shelter model.
• ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals): National animal welfare organization providing shelter, advocacy, and humane law enforcement. While UCSPCA operates at the county level, ASPCA functions as a broad national incumbent in the same SPCA mission space with overlapping services including adoption, veterinary care, and cruelty investigation.
• Greater Good Charities: National nonprofit supporting animal welfare, hunger, and humanitarian causes through shelter grants and disaster response. Operates in the same animal welfare funding ecosystem as UCSPCA, providing support to community shelters and rescue organizations across the country.
• The Humane Society of the United States: The largest national animal welfare advocacy organization in the US, supporting shelter operations, disaster response, and legislative advocacy. Highly comparable mission to UCSPCA but operating at national scale rather than county-level service delivery.
• Maddie's Fund: National family foundation advancing no-kill sheltering through grants, education, and pet adoption programs. Operates in the same no-kill shelter ecosystem as UCSPCA, providing funding and infrastructure support to similar community-based animal welfare organizations.
• Petco Love (formerly Petco Foundation): National animal welfare foundation supporting adoption, spay/neuter, and disaster relief through grants to local shelters. Already a UCSPCA partner through Petco Kingston Plaza hosting Fill the Van drives, and comparable as a funder of similar county-level shelter operations.

Regional players

• SPCA of Westchester: Regional New York SPCA operating shelter, adoption, and clinic services in Westchester County. Comparable to UCSPCA as a county-level animal welfare nonprofit with similar service mix including low-cost veterinary care and community fundraising model.
• Orange County SPCA (NY): Regional SPCA serving Orange County, New York with adoption, clinic, and cruelty investigation services. Directly comparable as another county-level New York SPCA with similar service portfolio and operational model to UCSPCA.
• Dutchess County SPCA: Neighboring New York county-level SPCA offering adoption, low-cost spay/neuter, and humane law enforcement in Dutchess County. Closest geographic and operational peer to UCSPCA, sharing the same county-level organizational model and revenue mix.

Direct peers

• Best Friends Animal Society: National no-kill animal welfare organization running sanctuary and shelter programs plus spay/neuter initiatives. Directly comparable to UCSPCA's no-kill shelter model and commitment to ending pet euthanasia, with shared focus on adoption, foster networks, and community clinic services.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC59X6bvS8Hie8eIpLSJ0_NQ
• Facebookfacebook.com/ulstercountyspca
• Instagraminstagram.com/ucspca
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ulster-county-spca

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles15 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Ulster County SPCA