Saving Lives, One Paw at a Time: E.A.R.S. Looks Ahead to 2026
Saving Lives, One Paw at a Time: E.A.R.S. Looks Ahead to 2026
Salamanca’s animal rescue celebrates a successful year of fostering, adoptions, and community support
WOOF! Salamanca’s animal rescue and adoption center, E.A.R.S, or Empire Animal Rescue Society, has a lot to celebrate as they move into 2026.
Founded in 2011, the Empire Animal Rescue Society is a non-profit and volunteer-run organization that operates in the Salamanca area and beyond. The organization identifies animals in need of rescue, transports those animals to foster homes, and eventually connects them to a forever home via their adoption services. E.A.R.S had a very successful 2025 and has lots of furry friends with happy endings that deserve to be celebrated!
“There are sadly a lot of stray animals in Salamanca. If people disagree it’s because we are active about picking them up before they are seen roaming for long,” said Courtney Valent, the President and founder of E.A.R.S. Courtney handles all the daily operations for the organization, from overseeing the volunteers to spearheading the fostering system. The 2011 founding of E.A.R.S was because Courtney identified a massive need for a rescue center in the local area.
“We still get tons and tons of calls and messages a day from people who have animals in need,” said Courtney. She explained that rescuing these animals, giving them necessary care or rehabilitation, and then saying goodbye when they are eventually ready to be adopted can be bittersweet.
“Rescuing animals is a wild ride. When calls come in, I generally pray that they have one cat or dog they need help with, but it generally is a lot more than that. When an animal is adopted after going through all of their medical care, those moments are bittersweet. It is so special when they finally get the kind of home they deserve, but it’s also sometimes harder to let them go when they are with you longer than the others,” Courtney shared.
Courtney reflected on the past year and all that E.A.R.S was able to accomplish. “One of our goals was to adopt out as many long-term fosters as we could, and we have succeeded in that. I can tell you about a few of them,” she said.
Remi is a white kitty from one of E.A.R.S’ rescue missions. He was found in a home with 60 other cats, all of which needed rescuing and care. Yes, 60! “They had extensive issues, too. They had skin issues, were riddled with parasites, and some needed an eye removed,” said Courtney
Remi, like all the animals who are rescued by E.A.R.S, is in good hands now. Courtney said they are still working with him on being more friendly, but he will be ready for adoption soon.
When choosing to get a pet, there is the question of adopting a rescued animal from an organization like E.A.R.S or adopting an animal from a breeder. It’s a common assumption that adopting a rescued animal leads to having a violent or temperamental pet in the home because of the trauma that a rescue must have endured, but Courtney detests this misconception.
“Breeding adds more animals into a system that is already overwhelmed. There are already more dogs and cats than there are homes. Adoption doesn’t create demand; it answers a crisis. Breed doesn’t equal better. Temperament, love, and loyalty aren’t bred. I have met hundreds of thousands of dogs and cats, and they are all so amazing and unique in their own ways. For every animal bought, another animal waits longer and oftentimes doesn’t make it out at all. One choice can empty a cage and fill your heart,” said Courtney.
The 2025 numbers are still being tallied, but for context, E.A.R.S was able to rescue over 1,500 animals in 2024, with 1,464 of them being placed in homes. This, of course, wouldn’t be possible without the organization’s stellar group of volunteers. They help in every aspect of EARS, being responsible for feeding, cleaning, transporting, volunteering for events, and meeting potential adopters. “There is always something that needs to be done,” Courtney added.
There is a lot to look forward to in 2026 for E.A.R.S. They hope to rescue and place even more animals and host several special events; The first of which you can catch in downtown Buffalo on February 14th from 11:00am-3:00pm at Buffalo Riverworks.
If you are interested in becoming a volunteer, you can reach out via email to empirerescue@gmail.com. More information can be found on their website, empirerescue.org, where you can also find an application to foster any eligible animals.
E.A.R.S offers donation wish lists to support daily operations and animal enrichment. Those interested in contributing can find the wish lists, PayPal donation information, and mailing details on the organization’s website at empirerescue.org. Donations by mail may be sent to E.A.R.S, PO Box 445, Salamanca, NY 14779.
“Thank you all from the bottom of our paws!”