by Nancy E. Hassel, LIPetPlace.com

I have written about this before, people on Long Island assuming that you can only get a Pit Bull or Pit Bull mix at local shelters, and oh how that is NOT the case.  I can’t tell you how many times I have heard this from a misinformed person, “There are only pit bulls or pit mixes at the shelters,” and for whatever bizarre reason the person saying it always lowers their voice when saying this. Now don’t get me wrong as an owner of my own rescue Pit Bull Max, and proud one at that – I would encourage potential adopters to give a pit or pit mix a chance first – because you will be amazed at what fun loving, super smart, goofy, super loyal and fabulous dogs they truly are.  Anyone who owns a Pit Bull, (American Pit Bull Terrier/American Staffordshire Terrier), or Pit mix will surely agree with me.  But I do understand people have other breeds as their favorites or are looking for something different – I totally get it.  So why skip over your local municipal shelters because of something you heard or assume about the dogs there (and yes cats too!)?

Recently, Last Hope Inc. Animal Rescue and Rehabilitation posted pictures on their Facebook page of 3 different purebred Weimaraners ALL pulled from local Town Municipal Shelters.  They called it, and how adorably so, ‘Weim Whitman Sampler of Shelter Rescues:’ Last Hope’s puppy ‘Maggie’ comes from Hempstead Shelter, ‘Mac’ (formerly ‘Casper’) is from Babylon Shelter; ‘Mandy’ hails from Brookhaven Shelter.

Photo Credit: Last Hope

The thing is – this is not an uncommon occurrence at our local shelters.  I stopped by the Town of Islip shelter last Saturday and asked the Shelter Supervisor Joanne Daly if they had any Dobermans, she said, “not now, but we did just have a female recently that a Dobie rescue group came and pulled.” And if you check out Shelter Link’s page the Town of Islip’s all volunteer group, you are bound to see a purebred or adorable mixed breed that is waiting for his or her forever home.

Little Shelter in Northport, has a beautiful male Doberman there waiting for a home and many other breeds too like: a Mini Pin; Maltese; Chow Mix; Husky Mix; a Shepherd Mix and more.

The North Fork Animal Welfare League has a Rottweiler, Husky, Jack Russell, Beagle, Daschund and many more.

I can almost guarantee that every pet rescue group on Long Island that takes in all breeds and mixed breeds have a purebred dog or mixed bred that you will want.  And if you have your heart on a specific breed there are many breed rescue groups to choose from too.  So please don’t be dismayed by what you heard someone else say – and assume that is exactly how it is at your local animal shelter. Go to the shelters yourself and go often because the sad truth is that dogs come into the shelters daily.

Click here for a list of many of the shelters and breed rescue groups here on Long Island.

And if you want to learn more on dog ownership and training the next Free class is held on April 11 – you must RSVP for the class – find out all details here.

Fluffy: Photo Credit: Shelter Link

by Nancy E. Hassel, LIPetPlace.com

Have you heard about the dog Daniel that survived the gas chamber in Animal Control facility in Florence, Alabama?  He was put into the gas chamber with about 8 other dogs to be killed, and when they opened the door after gassing the animals, Daniel walked right out.  It’s an amazing and inspirational story, while it has happened before – it is very rare.  This adorable Beagle Hound mix was dropped off in a ‘drop box’ at the Alabama shelter – a box where people can just anonymously drop a pet off they no longer want (something seriously wrong with this policy).  Daniel was considered a stray and after 7 days, put in the gas chamber.  He now has hundreds and hundreds of adoption applications according to the rescue group, Eleventh Hour Rescue that brought him up to NJ to his now foster home.  And after his appearance on Good Morning America on Saturday, October 29, 2011 – he will surely have thousands of people that want to adopt him.

But what about the dogs and cats that are not labeled as a ‘Miracle’ and have been waiting for months even years in a shelter waiting for a home?  Recently, in the Pet Events Newsletter, I posted an amazing dog in his own right, Cider, who has been at the Town of Islip Animal shelter for ONE YEAR this month.  For whatever reason people over look this very happy, well behaved and handsome dog.  He looks to be part Lab definitely Pit and maybe a sprinkling of another breed.  I met him about two weeks ago, and while many of the dogs in the surrounding shelter cages were barking, as they do, Cider was calm, smiling, and wagging his tail the entire time.  His coloring is beautiful – and the shelter staff said he is such a good dog, and house broken to boot – which is not an easy thing to be, living in a shelter cage for a year.

So I ask those hundreds and thousands of people looking to adopt Daniel the miracle dog?  What about a dog or cat just languishing every day in a local shelter?  Most times it can be loud and intimidating to look at a dog at the shelter – but ask the staff or one of the volunteers to take the pet into a viewing room or outside to meet the dog – 90% chance you will see the best side of the dog once taken out of the shelter cage.

While Daniel’s story is amazing, if it helps just one person reading this change their mind and head to their local shelter to adopt – it will make Daniel’s rise to fame even better.

When I adopted my own dog, Max – an American Pit Bull Terrier from Out of the Pits, he was a small puppy about 3.5 months old.  He was scared, and nervous – and the foster and adoption people that were there said, “If you sit on the floor, it will make him less nervous.”  So I sat next Indian style to the person holding him, and Max, named Johnny at the time, looked at me, and as many people who ever adopted a dog, seemed to know I was there for him.  He crawled over to my lap, looked up at me and kissed my cheek and snuggled back down and fell asleep.  The lady fostering him and the other people in the room nearly all cried, saying, “he has never done that to anyone.  He has been so nervous, and really hasn’t gone to anyone.”  Which I found out to be true after bringing Max home and learning how fearful of certain people, noises and now living in a home.  But with a ton of socialization, patience and training – Max has been such a great dog, loves people is good with other dogs once he gets to know them and even got along with the duck that lived in my yard for over a year.  Max, for whatever reason was very easy to train, he was housebroken when I brought him home, was out of his crate at 9 months old, which I don’t always recommend – but he didn’t chew anything, eat things he wasn’t supposed to etc.  He loved and learned a ton from my Doberman and today at 10-years old; people stop me in the street to say hi to him.

So maybe you won’t be able to adopt Daniel, but you may just find your own Max at the local shelter, and help save a life, fall in love with your new best buddy and change the mind of those around you about shelter dogs.

For more information on Cider, go to the Town of Islip Animal Shelter located at 210 South Denver Road, Bay Shore, NY.  For other local Animal Shelter listings, click here.

Daniel & Cider

4th Year of Free Dog Classes!

Islip Town Supervisor Phil Nolan recently announced that The Dog Federation of New York and The Town of Islip Animal Shelter have once again joined to offer the Responsible Dog Owner Class.

At a recent meeting, the Islip Town Board renewed its agreement with The Dog Federation of New York to offer the classes in 2011 until April 2012.  The three-hour classes are designed to help educate dog owners learn about basic puppy and dog behavior, training tools and techniques, children and dog safety, dog park etiquette, health and nutrition and New York State dog laws.

“This class is a wonderful opportunity for dog owners to learn from professionals and experts in the field in order to develop a closer bond with their pet, and we hope they’ll have fun at the same time,” said Supervisor Nolan.

“For over 27 years Canine Fence has focused on keeping pets safe at home and we are proud to once again sponsor the Dog Federation of New York’s Responsible Dog Ownership program in the Town of Islip so that residents learn the important responsibilities of dog ownership and how to have good canine citizens,” said Marketing Director, Tracy Scarfi of Canine Fence.

“I am so proud that the Town of Islip is continuing this program into it’s 4th year and thankful for Canine Fence company’s for continued support,” said Nancy Hassel, Founding Member of the Dog Federation of New York and Founder of Long Island Pet Professionals.  “The Town of Islip’s dedication to educating the public on responsible dog ownership and proper pet care has resulted in less owner turn-ins to the animal shelter after a participant has attended the class.  The Town of Islip is leading the way in this humane education program, and we hope more towns will follow. We are looking forward to another great year of educating!”

As a thank you for coming, participants will receive FREE goodie bags, loaded with essential and fun items for dog owners.  This class is for people ONLY—please leave your dogs at home!  Parents are encouraged to bring children over the age of 8.  As space is limited, please call the Islip Town Animal Shelter at (631) 224-5660 or email Nancy@LongIslandPetProfessionals.com for a reservation or for more information. (Email is best).

The upcoming schedule for the Dog Owner Education Class is as follows: April 13th, May 11th, June 15th, and July 13th all from 6-9 pm.

For updated information or more about the classes click here.

Pictured (left to right):, Maryflorence Brennan, of Canine Fence; Nancy Hassel, Founding Member of the Dog Federation of New York and Founder of Long Island Pet Professionals; and Islip Town Supervisor Phil Nolan.

by Pamela Fitzpatrick, of YourDogWalkers, shihtzu58@optonline.net

Huge turnout, Shelter Link Benefit

On Saturday, April 2, Shelter Link held their ‘Goodbye to Winter’ fundraiser at the Nutty Irishman in Bay Shore, NY. It was a great time, with lots of food, fun and raffles and a huge turnout from the community. Town of Islip Councilman Steve Flotteron and Shelter Supervisor Joanne Daly and other animal shelter staff members were there also.  The monies raised will help the Shelter Link a non-profit liaison to the Islip Animal shelter continue their work with the animals there, help with their rescue effort, and provide free spay and neuter program to pit bulls to qualifying residents of Islip township.  There was an awesome, emotionally moving video showcasing the dogs and cats at the shelter along with the hard working volunteers. There was barely a dry eye in the place! The Shelter Link team worked tirelessly to create a wonderful event; there were over one hundred beautifully wrapped gift baskets and lots of happy winners.  Best of all, funds raised will help Shelter Link continue its mission of saving animals.

Shelter Link also has a volunteer who is a dog trainer certified in evaluating dogs for the Canine Good Citizen (CGC) and have already passed a bunch of dogs at the shelter.  What’s better than that? You will be saving a life by adopting a wonderful dog from the shelter and can now brag your dog already has a CGC Diploma to boot.  Adopt, don’t shop!

Shelter link is a recognized, 501(C) 3 all-volunteer organization based in Islip.  They provide volunteers for the Islip Animal Shelter, and offer a feral cat spay and neuter program and a free pit bull spay neuter program to qualifying residents of Islip Township.  They also have a Foster Care Program and are seeking foster homes for rescued animals.  For more info, visit www.shelterlink.com.

Lovely Volunteers of Shelter Link