By Nancy E. Hassel, LIPetPlace.com
Pets & Hurricane Safety

With Hurricane Earl churning up the sea and seems to be heading towards the US coastline, it brings the question to light, “what would I do in a disaster with my pet? Where would I go? Can my pet come with me to a shelter?” Being and island without a real “escape” route in case of a natural disaster like a hurricane or bad Nor’easter this is something all Long Island pet owners should be aware of.

In Suffolk County we are fortunate that if there was a natural disaster there are 3 dedicated spaces that are pet-friendly emergency shelters – acting as a safe haven that could house dogs, cats, birds and their owners in case of evacuation in a disaster.

In the wake of Hurricane Katrina in 2005, Suffolk County Executive Steve Levy made sure that people would have a place to go to with their pets. It would depend on what shelter would open, in regards to where the disaster happened. In other words, if the disaster happened on the East End, then a space near Yapank would open, and if it was in Smithtown one close to that area would open. You can find out more information about Suffolk County by going to their Office of Emergency Management here: http://suffolkcountyny.gov/departments/firerescue.aspx and useful pet information here: http://suffolkcountyny.gov/Home/departments/firerescue/Office%20of%20Emergency%20Management/Information%20for%20Pet%20Owners.aspx

Unfortunately in Nassau, there are not any dedicated pet-friendly emergency shelters at the moment. However, there is a non-for-profit organization called Pet Safe Coalition, Inc. (http://www.petsafecoalition.org/) who is working to help educate the public and help pet owners keep pets safe when a disaster strikes. They are also raising awareness about pet safety in disasters and provide informational resources to public officials.

“Sheltering plans in disasters will accommodate only a fraction of the pet population in Nassau County so the most important thing an individual pet owner can do is to make plans for their own pets,” said Nancy Lynch President, of Pet Safe Coalition.

Things all Long Island pet owners should do in advance of any emergency or natural disaster is have a proper collar on your dog or cat with ID, have a pet first aid kit in your car and home with at least a weeks worth of pet food, canned is best, keep an extra leash and collar with ID in your car for each pet, (or with the pet first aid kit), in case you have to get out in a hurry and your pet doesn’t have their collar on. You should also have an in-case of fire or emergency sticker on your front door or window stating how many pets are inside and what type. This way if you were not home, neighbors or emergency officials will know there may be a pet inside.

Nancy Lynch also added to the following plans pet owners should make: 1.) Ask friends, relatives, breed club members, groomers, trainers or others outside the affected area whether they could shelter your animals. 2.) Contact hotels and motels outside of your immediate area to check policies on accepting pets. Ask if a no pet policy could be waived in a disaster. 3.) Make sure your pet is a more welcome guest by having a crate and carrier for each animal. 4.) As hurricane approaches call ahead to confirm emergency shelter arrangements and get directions. 5.) Don’t wait until the last minute to evacuate. Make sure your gas tank is full and bring your cell phone and car charger. And develop a plan and practice it.

Also if you are heading to the beach within the next few days to check out the surf, and plan on bringing your dog with you, be to keep him or her leashed.  Waves in general can be dangerous for any dog and with rip tides and pounding waves – dogs don’t know not to go in the water.  Be a responsible dog owner, and please keep Bella or Max on a leash for their safety.

Waves from a past storm out at sea.

By Nancy E. Hassel, LIPetPlace.com

The 35th Annual Hampton Classic

The tents are up, the horses are competing and people from all over the world are coming to watch or compete in the 35th Annual Hampton Classic.  This week long jumping competition is a spectacular way to see horses and their riders up close compete in all levels of jumping competitions.  If you are a native Long Islander and have yet to attend this Hamptons classic, you don’t know what you are missing.  This event is very kid and dog friendly, as long as your dog is leashed, well behaved, friendly, and won’t freak out seeing a horse. 

Also if your kids like animals, they will love this.  Especially the exotic animals that are on display and on Saturday, September 4th is the annual Cablevision Kids Day with all kinds of activities geared for your 2-legged kids.

   
Some of the animals your kids can see pretty close.

The classic started on Sunday, August 29th and runs through Sunday, September 6, 2010 with many events during the week.  Try to go during one of the weekdays when it is less crowded and you will be able to see more.  There is also the ‘Boutique Garden’ there with a ton of vendors for your shopping pleasure.  Its $20 bucks for a car load of people or $10 a person.  If you were lucky to go today, admission was free!   For more information on the classic go to: www.hamptonclassic.com

By Nancy E. Hassel, LIPetPlace.com

Celebrities & Their Dogs Unconditional Love

Animal Rescue Fund of the Hamptons (ARF) has some very unique events to raise funds to continue to help homeless animals…and last night was no exception. At Guild Hall in East Hampton, NY, ARF hosted a movie premiere of ‘My Dog, An Unconditional Love Story,’ by Daryl Roth (http://www.darylrothproductions.com/) and Mark St. Germain, which is a movie about stars celebrating their best four-legged friends.

Featuring celebrities like Edie Falco, who was also there to give an introduction to the packed audience, the film also featured Richard Gere, Glenn Close, Lynn Redgrave, Cindy Adams and many others who spoke unconditionally of their dogs, past and present.

(L to R): On Stage: Sara Davison Executive Director of ARF,
Edie Falco, Actress; Daryl Roth, Film’s Producer

An endearing, humorous and touching film, anyone who has owned or owns a dog, will absolutely love this movie. There was a lot of laughter and the audience stayed until the very end credit, with tons of applause. Whether you are a famous actor, musician, poet or author, the fact is that dogs bring all people the same joy, love, companionship and laughter – this movie shines a light on that.

Proceeds from the evening screening went to ARF and many audience members also moved on to the cocktail reception at the Maidstone after the screening, also benefiting the non-for-profit animal rescue. Local pet celebrities Jill Rappaport of the Today Show and Beth Stern were also in attendance.

Jill Rappaport Pet Contributor Today Show,
Beth Stern; and me! Nancy Hassel, Founder Long Island Pet Professionals

For more information on upcoming ARF events and how you can participate go to: www.arfhamptons.org

By Nancy E. Hassel, LIPetPlace.com

Cruisin’ for Companions! 

Got you hot rods detailed, polished and ready to show off?  Got your four-legged best friend ready to cruise around check out other ‘tails’ and cool cars?  This Saturday, August 28, 2010 the first ever ‘Cruisin’ For Companions’ is taking place from 9am to 5pm at

Four Towns Training Center (Fireman’s Field) on Merrick Road in Merrick.  Cruisin’ for Companions is hosted by Vinyl Concepts, and all proceeds will benefit Forgotten Friends of Long Island animal rescue and the North Merrick Fire Department.

Joann Ferrara, one of the owners of Vinyl Concepts said, “We have about 20 cars that are pre-registered a lot more cars that are going to be coming the day of, and many local car clubs involved. We also have a bunch of vendors with something for everyone!”  This very cool event will also feature musical entertainment provided by Juke Box Drive; food and refreshments from Souper Fry; and many doggy/pet contests with prizes, $1.00 raffles, and a 50/50 raffle.  Forgotten Friends is going to have a mobile pet adoption for the day as well.  Joann also hinted there that may just be some local celebrities there signing autographs, hmmm I wonder who it will be.

So get those cars ready, groom your pup and head on down this Saturday to Four Towns Training Center (Fireman’s Field) on Merrick Road in Merrick. (Off of exit M9E on the Meadowbrook Pkwy.), for one pawtacular event.  You know I will be there!

For more information go to: http://www.vinylconceptscorp.com/Vinyl_Concepts/News.html

Admission for adults is $6.00.  Children are FREE and Pets are FREE.  For Pre-registered car participants the admission fee is $25.00. For same day car participants the admission fee is $30.00.

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

August and Animals 

Did you know that August 24 marks the date that the Animal Welfare Act was signed into law? This 1966 act, the original intent of which was to regulate the care and use of animals in the laboratory, has become the only Federal law in the United States that regulates the treatment of animals in research, exhibition, transport, and by dealers. Other laws, policies, and guidelines may include additional species coverage or specifications for animal care and use, but all refer to the Animal Welfare Act as the minimum acceptable standard.

ASPCA founder Henry Bergh was born on August 29, 1813.  In addition to founding the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals in 1866,   Mr. Bergh also helped form the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children.   According to their website, the ASPCA was the first humane organization in the Western Hemisphere, and continues today with their mission “to provide effective means for the prevention of cruelty to animals throughout the United States.”

Finally, most of us have heard of ‘Dog Days of Summer’ those hot late summer days when the air is hot and stagnant. In some European cultures, July 24 through August 24 is still considered to be the dog days.  The name comes from the ancient belief that Sirius, (aka the Dog Star), is closest to  the sun during the ‘Dog Days’ and that proximity was responsible for the hot weather.  Sirius, which is found in the Canis Major (Big Dog) constellation, is the brightest star in our summer night sky.  Why not look up at the stars tonight and see if you can see it?