Comments Off on How to help animal rescues
16 Nov 14

How to help animal rescues ...

By Nancy E. Hassel, LIPetPlace.com

Over the past couple of weeks LIPetPlace.com has visited, (or re-visited in some cases), some of our municipal animal shelters, private animal rescues and attended an adoptathon this past weekend.  While I am not in the trenches of rescue like so many wonderful people here are – I do what I can.  I donate what I can.  Whether that donation is time, promotion of animals in need of homes via the Pet Events Newsletter or on social media, or by connecting people who I think would be a great match, through product donations and monetary donations.  If you are able to do one thing a day, a week, or one thing a month – it will help.  The needs of the animals in rescue is a daily commitment – and our rescues could use your help.   Many adoptable dogs, cats, horses and other pets who sit waiting for a home in our LI shelters.  Some have been in our shelters for 2, 3, 4 and even met at dog that has been in a shelter 6 years.  6 years.

While visiting the Town of North Hempstead Animal Shelter recently, and getting the full tour from Dr. Bob Slifkin of The Shelter Connection, (the non-profit volunteer group that works with the shelter), – it is a great animal shelter.  It is very clean, they have fantastic programs training dogs getting them ready for their forever homes, their have a good adoption rate, nature trails that the dogs get to go on walks or play groups in, a room that is like a room you would find in a home for dogs to get adjusted to and more.  But it is still a shelter – and there are a lot of great dogs waiting there.   The day I visited there were 2 German Shepards, a Beagle (there is always a Beagle at every shelter!), a little white poodle (who was scared out of it’s mind, poor thing), a Yorkie, a Bulldog (was just adopted), a Husky, 2 Cane Corsos (goregous and friendly), a Pointer mix (who was so sweet), and beautiful Pit Bulls and pit mixes – who the majority were wiggle butts, calm, sat when asked.  Bob told me a lot of the dogs personalities and, “while that dog may be barking, once out of the kennel – the best dog.”  About another pit bull Prince – there 2 years, Bob said, “That is the best trained dog in the kennel, and incredibly smart,” – and guess what, Prince is a Pit Bull.

This scruffy little guy was at the Town of North Hempstead Animal Shelter – go there to see if he is still waiting for a home!

Prince – so sweet, calm and at the shelter for 2 years.

So how can you help?

What can you do if you can’t adopt or foster?

  • Maybe you can volunteer at a local shelter to help walk a dog, or put your skills to use.  Often times animal rescue groups need people to volunteer their professional skills – and not be another dog walker.
  • My suggestion, is contact a local rescue – how can you help?  What skills are they looking for?  Go to a volunteer orientation.  I have a friend who is a mom of 6-year old triplets and makes the time to go 2-days a week to volunteer at the shelter and attends events when she can!  Maybe the rescue needs help with their social media pages, website, grant writing, public relations, or needs product donations – perhaps you could be the facilitator to help them get more of their needs met.
  • Are you a teacher?  Maybe one of your school projects could be collecting donations that your local animal shelter or rescue group needs.  Contact the shelter near you and find out what they need help with.
  • Are you a carpenter?  Maybe the local animal shelter needs houses for the feral cats they take care of, or the horse rescue needs repairs at their barn.
  • Love taking photo’s?  Animal rescues are always happy to work with a great photographer to capture the essence of the pets for adoption.

There are so many ways to help, and the help needed is endless.

This handsome fella is available for adoption at ARF (Animal Rescue Fund of the Hamptons).

Brooklyn who is available at the Town of North Hempstead Animal Shetler.  Brooklyn, what can I say, what a sweet, calm, smart and beautiful dog.  He sat for this photo before I even had the chance to ask him to sit.    He has been at the shelter for about 2 years.

Squeaky a sweet cuddle bug who is available for adoption at the Animal Rescue Fund of the Hamptons.  He has been there about a year.

Emmy – OMD (That’s Oh My Dog!) What a sweetheart!! She is at the Town of Hempstead Animal Shelter. She likes people and dogs, and while she may have barked while in her crate at the adoption, once out – super calm and oh so sweet.  She just met me and let me put this coat on her! (Who knew it was going to fit her perfectly and I think Purple is her color don’t you!)  She also is small – so if you looking for pint sized wiggle butt – here ya go! (Black dogs get over looked the most at shelters.)

This little peanut mixed breed is at the Town of North Hempstead Animal Shelter – again another sweet dog!

This adorable fella is up for adoption at the Town of Brookhaven Animal Shelter – a shelter that is bursting at the seems with dogs.

BRUCE!!! Love, love, love this goofball of a dog!  The only reason Bruce barked at all in his cage, is because he wanted attention.  When I sat next to him while he was barking, I said, “You’re a big phony baloney aren’t you? You silly phony baloney!” And with that he flopped on his side, and was non-stop waggin his tail.  See another picture of him below.  He is not big, not sure what he is mix with – we were guessing Bull Mastiff and Beagle! He is available at the Town of Hempsead Animal Shelter.  Likes dogs and people.

To see many more pictures, please Click here!

And let us know how you help by posting a comment!  Or if you are rescue what your needs are.
A big thanks to ARF for putting on the adoption event over the weekend – to their staff and volunteers and a big thanks to all the volunteers who are out there day after day helping!

Squeakys paw by the way – he was a love bug!

Comments Off on Life Saving Pet First Aid Course
28 Sep 10

By Nancy E. Hassel, LIPetPlace.com

Life saving pet first aid course

What do you do if your dog or cat is choking or not breathing?  Or if your pet needs first-aid immediately but you are no where near a veterinarians office?  Often times as pet owners we don’t even consider these things in our daily lives, but injuries and emergency situations can and do happen to our pets.  It’s better to be prepared and know what to do for your pet’s sake.  Luckily for pet owners here on Long Island and in Queens and Brooklyn we have a certified Pet CPR and First Aid instructor that proactively offers classes teaching life saving techniques and first aid for pets.  Robyn Elman, who is also the President of In Home Pet Services, Inc., (http://www.inhomepetservices.com/), is the only certified ‘Pet Tech’ Instructor in the Tri-state area is offering these classes to pet owners, pet professionals, and anyone that wants to learn these very important pet life saving procedures. 

Robyn said, “It is so important for not only pet industry professionals to learn Pet first Aid & CPR, but also first responders like police officers and firemen and women.  Often times a pet may not survive an emergency situation because the people initially tending to them may not know what to do.  According to the American Animal Hospital Association, 1 out of 4 pets would survive if just one pet first aid technique was applied prior to getting the pet to emergency veterinary hospital.” Robyn is certified by Pet Tech National Training Center based in Carlsbad, CA and works with different pet organizations and businesses throughout Queens, Long Island, NYC and other boroughs.  Robyn has been teaching these classes for over 3-years. 

Using a life sized stuffed animal dog, this class will teach participants how to: restrain an injured or ill pet; CPR and rescue breathing; bleeding injuries; heat and cold element injuries; bandaging; insect bites and much more.   As a way to give back, Robyn offers a portion of the proceeds from the class to non-for-profit animal organizations that want to be involved.  Pet owners in the area are in luck because the next class will be offered this Saturday, October 2nd from 9:30 am – 1:30 pm at Best In Show Pet Resort in Mineola, (244 Herricks Road Mineola, NY 11501).  Robyn is thrilled to once again be working with Pet Safe Coalition (www.petsafecoalition.org) for this class and a portion of the proceeds of the class will go to this very important Long Island pet organization.  A recent class participant said this, “The instructor was great, and the material really covered a lot of subjects. We even practiced CPR on the stuffed animals. I would reccomend it to any pet owner,” stated Alice Laby.

To register for this class, individuals can call (718) 347-7387 or send a check or money order for $85.00 payable to In Home Pet Services, Inc. and mail to: 88-25 247th Street, Bellerose, NY 11426 – or pay cash at the door – but registration is necessary.  Each participant will receive a take-home reference manual and a certificate that they completed the course valid for 2-years. For more information about this course or about In Home Pet Services, go to: www.inhomepetservices.com.