Mayor Walsh Announces Hiring For Soon-To-Reopen Canine Shelter

Published on June 15, 2023

Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh announced the City of Syracuse is hiring eight new positions at the soon-to-reopen canine adoption shelter in Jamesville.  The City will bring on seven shelter attendants and one animal services supervisor to oversee sheltering and adoptions for dogs at the former Second Chance Canine Adoption Shelter at 6660 East Seneca Turnpike next to the Jamesville Correctional Facility. The City will operate the site under a lease with the County, in partnership with Friends of Second Chance Shelter Inc.

“Like municipalities around the country, Syracuse has experienced a significant increase in abandoned or abused dogs. This new shelter allows us greater capabilities to simultaneously respond to calls, provide care and find proper homes for rescued dogs in the city,” said Mayor Walsh. “I’m grateful to the County for accepting our request to lease this facility.”

The Syracuse Police Department Division of Dog Control receives over 1800 calls a year from the public regarding dog related inquires and service requests. These calls include, but are not limited to, cruelty & abuse, bite incidents, injured dogs, stray and loose dogs. The City of Syracuse dog control officers respond to calls but often need to prioritize calls when the city’s shelter, Barks & Rec, is at capacity. The additional kennel space will allow dogs to be moved from the city’s contracted shelter to the new city-operated facility once the holding period has expired, with the goal to adopt them out and free up space for incoming dogs.

“Barks & Rec’s care and commitment is fantastic, and we are fortunate to work alongside them,” said Syracuse Police Sergeant Todd Cramer. “Reopening and staffing the adoption shelter in Jamesville will assist us in our efforts with the growing number of dog related calls we receive in the city.” 

The former Second Chance Canine Adoption Shelter opened in 2015 and was previously run by incarcerated inmates from the Jamesville Correction Facility, along with Friends of Second Chance Shelter Inc. until the program disbanded due to COVID. The facility can currently shelter 16 dogs.

Learn more about the positions and apply at www.indeed.com/cmp/City-of-Syracuse-1/jobs

To adopt a dog visit https://www.petfinder.com/ or email bandrbunkhouse@gmail.com

For dog complaints and issues call the City of Syracuse Police Department Division of Dog Control at 315-442-5346.