This is just the saddest/sweetest kitty ever {insert sound of my heart breaking}.
Humane Society Pets for Life NYC Happy Hour – August 26
Duke in his "adopt today" t-shirt
On Thursday August 26th from 4pm to 10pm, the HSUS Pets for Life NYC program will be holding a happy hour at Forum (127 Fourth Avenue between 12th and 13th Streets).
Forum will be donating 20% of bar sales to the Pets for Life program.
Attention crazy pet people! Petfinder is looking for guest bloggers!
This morning, @Petfinder tweeted a solicitation for guest bloggers for the Petfinder blog. According to their post on the subject, they “regularly highlight animal-welfare professionals and other guest bloggers who have unique perspectives on pet adoption and care.”
So get out there and blog, you crazy dog and cat people!
Mobile adoptions in Brooklyn, August 2010
Yesterday during our Dog Friendly Brooklyn wanderings, Duke and I happened across a North Shore Animal League mobile adoptions van in Cobble Hill, with a gaggle (if I may use that word) of adorable, adoptable cats and dogs.
Going home!
We got to talking with a nice woman who just adopted this 7-month-old, as-yet unnamed puppy in the photo to the right. The pup was a really sweet “mystery mutt” who is sure to be a great companion.
The mobile adoptions van had many kittens and cats as well as other small- and mid-sized dogs. Most people assume they won’t find small dogs up for adoption at shelters, and although small breed puppies are somewhat unusual, slightly older small breed dogs are more common.
Below, I’ve put together a list of the mobile adoption events taking place in Brooklyn during the month of August (and the sponsoring organization for each). And here are some pics of the new friends Duke and I made!
NYC Feral Cat Initiative – TNR Workshop in Brooklyn, 8/7
While it’s not dog-related, managing feral cat colonies is a big part of reducing the homeless pet population (an important cause for DFB!). Unchecked, feral cat colonies will grow like crazy, often becoming a nuisance to local residents and other animals. But if you’ve ever seen a cat wandering the streets with what looks like the corner of their ear chopped off, then you know someone’s been looking after him or her.
The ear cropping is a widely-used marker that a feral cat has already been trapped, usually vaccinated, and spayed or neutered before being released. TNR (trap-neuter-return) is (in my opinion) a humane and effective method to control feral cat colonies. Since most adult feral cats don’t make for great house pets, the alternative to TNR is euthanasia.
But TNR programs require resources – human and financial. Someone needs to take the lead in monitoring a local colony, setting the humane traps, and bringing the animals in to a vet to be fixed. The NYC Feral Cat Initiative is an effort by the city and a nonprofit two nonprofits, the Mayor’s Alliance for NYC’s Animals and Neighborhood Cats to take control of feral cat colonies. They provide numerous services to those willing to help, including TNR training classes, equipment (traps, etc), access to free spay/neuter services to certified TNR caretakers (via the ASPCA, Toby Project, Helping PAW and the Humane Society of NY), and ongoing advice to volunteers.
On Saturday, August 7, 2010, the NYC Feral Cat Initiative will be holding a workshop entitled, “Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR): How to Manage a Feral Cat Colony” from noon to 3:30 p.m. at the Brooklyn Library Sunset Park Branch, 5108 4th Avenue (at 51st Street).
Advance registration is required. E-mail lois@NYCFeralCat.org or call Neighborhood Cats at (212) 662-5761 with your name, address, phone number, and date of workshop you wish to attend. For more information, visit the Neighborhood Cats website.
For additional resources and organizations working on the feral cat issue in New York, go here.
(photo courtesy of the New York City Feral Cat Initiative)
The ARF Beach Ball – Bridgehampton NY – July 31st
If you’re a Hamptons-ite and have some dollars to spare, the Animal Rescue Fund of the Hamptons is holding their “Beach Ball” to benefit their rescued dogs and cats on Saturday July 31, 2010.
According to the ARF website, they admit and care for more than 700 dogs and cats annually, and help secure loving homes for the rescues.
The event features cocktails, a raw bar, dinner and dancing, all in a gorgeous setting. I’m a big fan of shelter pets of course, but sadly lack the entry fee for this posh party (“junior” tickets – under 35 yrs. – go for $200 each. Regular admittance is $500! Uhh, maybe next year.)
ASPCA Brooklyn Block Party – Grand Army Plaza – July 17
This Saturday, July 17th, the ASPCA will be holding a “Block Party” at Grand Army Plaza in Brooklyn.
Click for larger version
The event will include plenty of cute adoptable animals, as well as FREE spay/neuter surgeries, and microchipping and vaccinations for pit bulls and pit bull mixes. Keep in mind that you’ll have to show up very early (by 7.30am) if you want those services!
Even if you’re not looking to adopt an animal this Saturday, the event should be a fun one, particularly for families – there will be a “Kids Zone” with face painting and temporary tattoos, raffles and giveaways, and live music. You can even chat with one of their Humane Law Enforcement Agents or animal behavior specialists who will be on site.
The event runs from 9:00 A.M.-3:00 P.M (unless you need spay/neuter services, microchipping, or vaccinations, in which case you should get there by 7.30am!)
Awww-worthy: Soldiers delight as captured ‘mascot’ dog is rescued
From the UK’s Daily Mirror:
A true 'Afghan hound'
This sweet pup adopted some British troops and helped them sniff out IEDs. Then he was taken by the Taliban. But he was returned unharmed and given his first-ever dog toys! Full story here.
Stories like this always get me. Dogs just want a little love, right?
Beau at Monster Mutt needs a home
From Monster Mutt:
Beau, the mystery mix
Beau is an adorable, sweet, energetic 4½ month old puppy. She is pure Heinz 57 Mystery Mix, but will grow up to be a nice medium sized Brooklyn Apartment dog who would be happy to take you out to the park every day.
She is looking for a forever home with people who will love her and care for her the way she deserves. There is an adoption fee which pays for spaying, microchipping and vaccinations.
You can meet her at:
Monster Mutt at 297 Warren Street, Cobble Hill, Brooklyn (www.monstermutt.com)
So you love animals but can’t adopt one? You can still help!
I know so many animal lovers who, for a variety of reasons, aren’t able to adopt right now. Owning a pet is a major responsibility: no more post-work marathon happy hours when Spot is at home desperate for a walk. The decision to adopt a pet should not be taken lightly, which is why I never urge friends to get a pet if they suspect they’re not ready.
But just because you can’t bring a shelter animal into your life right now, doesn’t mean you can’t help animal rescue and rehoming efforts! Here are a few suggestions:
- Volunteer – NYC’s many shelters are often looking for volunteers, and they don’t necessarily require a lot of your time! The ASPCA asks for a minimum of 8 hours per month and has volunteers doing everything from adoptions to administrative work (something to consider if you’re allergic). The Brooklyn Animal Resource Coalition (BARC) needs volunteers for dog walking and cat socializing – no minimum time commitment.
- Product donations – Do you have unused cleaning supplies? Pet supplies? Most animal shelters are in constant need of these items, and welcome donations. Animal Care & Control will also take your old towels and blankets.
- Transportation – the Brooklyn Animal Foster Network uses volunteers to transport animals to and from their temporary homes. So if you have a car, this might be a good option for you. (BAFN also needs home checkers to occasionally look in on foster homes).
- Handmade bedding – for crafty types, you can put your skills to work by making blankets and even toys for shelter animals – those cages aren’t particularly comfortable. The Mayor’s Alliance for NYC’s Animals has basic instructions for making a cage quilt.
- Fostering – if you’re seriously considering adoption, but want to experience first hand the impact a new pet will have on your life, you may want to consider fostering an animal for a short time. The city has many, many animals that fair poorly in the shelter environment, and need temporary homes with caring people. Visit BAFN or the ASPCA for more information.
A cat bed (not handmade, sadly)
