Ho! Ho! Ho! Santa will make a special stop at Palmer Vineyards on Saturday, December 11 from 1 – 3PM to bring holiday cheer to those ever faithful and loving members of the family, our pets!

Nadler Photo Design will take pet portraits with Santa for families to display for the holidays. The cost is $10. All proceeds go to Kent Animal Shelter.

The public is also being asked to drop off winter supplies for Kent Animal Shelter during this event. The shelter is in need of canned food for cats and dogs, toys, treats, blankets, comforters, and towels.

For more information call Kent Animal Shelter at 631-727-5731 or email info@KentAnimalShelter.com.

by Debbie Maresca,
Kent Animal Shelter’s Volunteer Coordinator

Kent Animal Shelter recently attended Riverhead’s 1st Annual Pet Parade. We had a nice day!  We were able to take six dogs from Kent. Four were recent rescues from a puppy mill. The poor little things are so frightened that in most pictures they are being held like little babies.

The highlight for most of us was the big black dog named Ace.  She is 1-2 year-old coon-retriever mix.  This was the first event that our kennel attendant, Grace, allowed her to come to.  Thanks to volunteer Gene Boudon and his wife Camiille, Ace had a great day.  She met children and a donkey and she remained very well behaved.

Lauren Buchlin also brought Holly, another large Kent dog,  who rarely gets to  go to events.  Unfortunately we didn’t get pictures of her.

The dogs with the White coats with red crosses are Kent volunteer dogs who do pet therapy.  They go every Wednesday morning to visit the sick at Peconic Skilled Nursing Facilty. They are Zachary, Annie, Hoss and Jackson. (Jackson, a beagle, does not  have a coat and is blind but he still enjoys meeting everyone at the Facility.)  Their owners, Carol Fish, Carol Ryan and Phil, deserve recognition for what they do for the community!

Kent Animal Shelter volunteers do a lot for the cats and dogs here, including taking them out for events and walks. The animals love to go out, and it gives the public the chance to meet them.

If you’re interested in becoming a Kent volunteer or would like more information, please click here.

On November 10th, Kent Animal Shelter rescued about a dozen dogs discarded by the nation’s puppy mills. They have all been adopted out and given a new chance on life.

What Is a Puppy Mill?

Puppy Mills are mass breeding operations that solely exist to supply public demand for designer dogs, many of whom eventually end up in animal shelters anyway. The operation is totally based on profit, there isn’t any concern for the welfare of the animals in the mills, they receive no socialization, inadequate food, little or no veterinary care, are piled on top of each other in cages for their entire lives, bred over and over again. They live in cramped, dirty environments.

There are over 3500 pet shops in this country that are stocked with over 500.000 mill puppies every year to meet consumer demand. That cute little designer dog you see in your local pet shop came from a mill where its parents are suffering 24/7.

How can you help?

1. Don’t patronize pet shops. Many of the cute puppies you see in the window are eventually given up for adoption to animal shelters as the consumer becomes unable or unwillingly to care for them even after a large purchase price. Adopt! Animal Shelters have great dogs of all ages, and many purebreds as well.

2. Support rescue efforts. Kent’s Rescue Program reaches out to rescue these misfortunate animals that are transported here from mostly Midwestern states.

3. Go online, get educated on this horrific problem. Many families and individuals are not aware of the situation or where their cute “cocker-poodle” came from.

Kent Animal Shelter would like to purchase a rescue van of its own to help puppy mill cast aways and other animals. The shelter is seeking donations for this purpose.

Great Response So Far at Other Local Businesses Participating

Talmage Farm Agway of 1122 Osborne Avenue in Riverhead has joined Kent Animal Shelter’s “Pause for Paws” campaign, a fundraiser to address the down economy and growing need of homeless and abused animals.

Three other local participating businesses have raised more than $4,400 since the campaign began this summer:

Citgo/Baskin Robbins of Calverton, the first business to participate in the campaign, raised more than $1,500, including a donation of four cents for every gallon sold of Flex Fuel. That campaign is over for the season and will resume in the spring.

The campaign at Suffolk County National Bank’s branches on Ostrander Avenue and Second Street in Riverhead, which lasted for a month and just ended, raised a total of about $1,900.

The campaign at Bean and Bagel Café of Calverton continues, with over $1,000 in donations collected so far. Kent Animal Shelter is hoping to extend the campaign to other local businesses. In addition, online donors can get a paw badge to display on social media sites.

“Our branch was completely papered with paws,” said Suffolk County National Bank Vice President and Ostrander Avenue Branch Manager, Angie Reese. “We enjoyed being a part of Kent Animal Shelter’s campaign. The strong response shows that the Riverhead community cares about the shelter and the work they do to help animals in need.”

“We’re grateful to these business leaders and to the community for the outpouring of support,” said Pamela Green, Executive Director of Kent Animal Shelter. “We had to put out an SOS because of the down economy and the rising number of animals in need. Our shelter’s aging infrastructure is another concern as we head into winter.”

As part of the campaign, a customer can buy a paper paw in denominations of $1, $5 or $10. The donor’s name is written on the paw, and it is displayed on the wall of the business.

Pictured Above: Photo 1 Marley Ozyilmaz, Owner, Citgo/Baskin Robbins, and Pamela Green, Executive Director of Kent Animal Shelter. Photo 2 (left to right) Angie Reese, Suffolk County National Bank Ostrander Avenue Branch Manager and Vice President; Pam Green, Executive Director of Kent Animal Shelter; and Vincent Cangiano, SCNB 2nd Street Branch Manager and Vice President.

300 Attended Wines & Canines 5K Dog Run/Walk

On Sunday, October 3rd, more than 300 people, most with dogs in tow, hoofed and padded five kilometers to save animals as part of Kent Animal Shelter’s annual fundraiser, the “Wines & Canines 5K Dog Run/Walk” at Martha Clara Vineyards. It was a beautiful day with perfect weather, and everyone enjoyed being out with their dogs for a good cause. Congratulations to Mr. Marty Brown and his dog Charlie Brown of Malverne for coming in first! (Mrs. Patricia Brown wasn’t far behind!)

The event raised more than $25,000. Kent Animal Shelter is grateful for the many generous donations. Top donors included Sandra Atlas Bass, an extraordinary philanthropist and supporter of the work of the Kent Animal Shelter, and Stanley & Vivian Russo-Picheny. Thank you to Mattituck-Laurel Veterinary Hospital, Dale Baraclough, and Marley Ozyilmaz. The Annual Scroll of Honor, which is an event display of donors, is on Kent Animals Shelter’s website at www.kentanimalshelter.com.

Companies that participated as vendors at the event included Home Again, which micro-chipped pets, and North Fork School for Dogs, which tested dogs’ behavior. HBS Veterinary Supply, Invisible Fence Company, and Intervet Schering-Plough Animal Health were also on site to offer information and advice. Thank you to the Pamela Betti Band for providing live music for the event. Pro photographer Jason Nadler took photographs, which are available for purchase (all proceeds benefit Kent Animal Shelter) online at www.nadlerphotodesign.com/kent2010/.

Many local businesses donated raffle items, including Cooperage Inn, J&R Steakhouse, Southampton Inn, Kevin Maple Salon, East Wind Caterers-Inn-Spa, Old Field Vineyards, artist Susan Trawick, author Heather Hill Worthington, artist RJ McDonald, and artist Fred Rothenbush.

Special thanks to Kent’s Board of Directors for their generous support, including Dr. Chuck Timpone, Tracy L. Stark, Elizabeth Barra Hudson, Michelle Debay, Chuck Bowman, Robert Lanieri, Vivian Picheny, Susan Trawick, Denise Trifaro, and Jeffrey Worthington.

Kent Animal Shelter is grateful to staff members Lisa Lewin, Grace Miglionico, Marianne Perrone, Rachel Micheli and Mariette Turso for their help at the event and their ongoing dedication. Debbie Maresca, Kent’s Volunteer Coordinator, assembled a great team of volunteers at the event! These included Steve, Ginny and Kate Maresca, Marie Merola, Susan Trawick, Barbara Beltrami, Lauren Buchlin, Ron Blake, Elizabeth Strong, Rich and Julie Hession, Diana & John MacCulley, Rosemary D’Agostino, Carol Loseer, Jenn Eaton, Debbie Kuchlewski, Rima Milligan, Cindy Banks, Camille and Gene Boudon, Christine and Madison Benosky, Annie Rose and Helene Davis.

Thank you to Martha Clara Vineyards for hosting the event and offering access to its beautiful 200-acres of vineyards and an entire building during peak harvest season. Special thanks to Winemaker and General Manager Juan Micieli-Martinez, Event Coordinator Molly O’Connor, and communications guru Matthew Gabriel.

Thank you one and all! It was great fun.

The weather forecast is calling for sunny skies and temps in the 60s for Sunday’s “Wines & Canines 5K Dog Run/Walk” at Martha Clara Vineyards! The East End’s first-ever 5K dog run/walk, it will wind around on a scenic course through the vineyard’s 200 scenic acres. All proceeds benefit Kent Animal Shelter and help it carry out its mission of providing a no-kill haven for homeless animals, low-cost spaying and neutering services, and humane education.

After the race, browse the auction tables, enjoy the bluesy sounds of the Pamela Betti Band, taste some Martha Clara wines, have a bite to eat, and relax!

While you’re there, have your dog microchipped by Home Again ($25 fee), get a photo portrait by professional photographer Jason Nadler ($20), or get the North Fork School For Dogs to test your dog’s behavior using the American Kennel Club’s citizenship test ($8 fee)! Find out about installation of an Invisible Fence, and meet some of the dogs currently available for adoption at Kent Animal Shelter.

Same day registration is available for the 5K for a minimum donation of $25 per person, and children 12 and under are free. Anyone not participating in the 5K are invited to come anyway, enjoy the event, and make a donation to benefit homeless animals.

Great Response At Other Local Participating Businesses

In Photo (left to right): SCNB Branch Manager and Vice President, Angie Reese, with Max (adopted from Kent); Mary Ann Hudson, SCNB Branch Manager; and Pam Green, Executive Director of Kent Animal Shelter

Suffolk County National Bank (SCNB) has joined Kent Animal Shelter’s “Pause for Paws” campaign, a fundraising effort to address the down economy and growing need of homeless and abused animals. Two other local participating businesses each raised about $1000 in August.

As part of the campaign, a customer can buy a paper paw in denominations of $1, $5 or $10. The donor’s name is written on the paw, and it is displayed on the wall of the business. Participating businesses now include Getty/Baskin Robbins of Calverton, Bean and Bagel Café of Calverton, and the Ostrander Avenue and 2nd Street branches of Suffolk County National Bank.

Kent Animal Shelter is hoping to extend the campaign to other local businesses. In addition, online donors will receive a paw badge to display on social media sites.

At the beginning of September, Getty/Baskin Robbins gave Kent Animal Shelter a check for $1043. Bean and Bagel Café of Calverton has also collected about $1000 for Kent Animal Shelter.

The walls are getting papered with paws, showing a great response from the community to Kent’s call for help on behalf of abandoned, abused, or neglected animals.

The campaign began when Michelle Debay, a Kent Animal Shelter board member, and a friend, Marley Ozyilmaz of Getty/Baskin Robbins of Calverton, were talking about the animal shelter and the economy. Mr. Ozyilmaz wanted to help. They hatched the Pause for Paws campaign. In addition to customer donations for the paws, Mr. Ozyilmaz is donating four cents of every gallon of Flex Fuel sold there to Kent Animal Shelter.

To make an online donation and receive a “Pause for Paws” badge to display on social media sites, click on the PayPal buttons on the Kent website.

On Wednesday, September 1, Kent Animal Shelter went to New York City to rescue dogs transported there from midwestern puppy mills by Best Friends Animal Sanctuary.

Approximately 150 cast-off puppy mill dogs from a number of Midwestern states arrived to a glorious green-carpet welcome in Manhattan after their long journey from the mills. After thorough medical evaluations, much-needed grooming, and a lot of TLC, they will be available for adoption through New York and New Jersey-area shelters and rescue groups, including Kent Animal Shelter.

Arriving on the transport were adults used for breeding, adolescents and puppies, most of which are small dogs, such as Yorkshire Terrriers, Maltese, Bichons Frises, English bulldogs, Schnauzers and Shih Tzus. Instead of being killed or sold at auction for pennies when the breeders no longer want them, these lucky dogs will get a new chance for happiness and have their first opportunity to live as normal pets.

Here are some photos of the rescue event yesterday in Manhattan, which was a heartwarming experience for all!…

To help, please make a donation to Kent Animal Shelter. Go to www.KentAnimalShelter.com.

This transport brought dogs who are no longer needed by their commercial breeders to safety in the New York area. Kent will provide food, shelter and medical care until permanent homes with forever families can be found for these rescues.

“We hope to raise enough money through donations to purchase a van that can be utilized in the future for just this type of rescue”, said Pam Green, Director of Kent Animal Shelter. Please donate today to provide a brighter future for these unfortunate animals that have become the collateral damage of the purebred puppy industry.

Did You Know…

There are approximately 4,000 puppy mills in the United States, which produce over a half million puppies a year. The emphasis is on profit, not the care, health, socialization, or well being of the animals. Due to the frequently poor breeding conditions in puppy mills, puppies bred there often suffer from health and/or social problems. Puppies raised in a cramped environment shared by many other dogs become poorly socialized to other dogs and to humans. Dogs are then transported over long distances in poor conditions, sometimes resulting in animal stress and death. As the surviving mill dogs grow older, they are more prone to developing respiratory ailments and pneumonia, as well as hereditary defects such as hip dysplasia. In addition, mill dogs are more prone to have problems with their temperament. Puppies from mills are usually sold as purebred dogs in an attempt to attract the higher prices associated with purebreds. However, due to the indiscriminate breeding practices of puppy mills, the dog may not actually be a purebred puppy.

Puppies Aren’t Products® campaign, which educates consumers about where most traditional pet stores get their inventory—large-scale commercial breeding operations where puppies and breeding parents are forced to live in squalid conditions, with little or no medical care. The campaign also targets the retail end of the puppy mill industry through informational demonstrations at New York puppy emporiums. Since 2008, the peaceful pet store demonstrations at stores across the country have caused some stores to only offer for sale pets that come from rescue groups and shelters.

To help, please make a donation to Kent Animal Shelter. Go to www.KentAnimalShelter.com.

For more information about puppy mills, visit www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Puppy_mills.

Please join us on Sunday, October 3, 2010 for “Wines & Canines 5K Dog Run/Walk” at Martha Clara Vineyards in Riverhead, the East End’s first ever!

Bring your four-legged best friend and join us for a fun afternoon on 200 scenic acres. After the walk,  listen to the bluesy sounds of the Pamela Betti Band while tasting award winning wines. Food vendors, an auction, and prizes! Get your pet microchipped for only $25! All proceeds to benefit Kent Animal Shelter.

For more information and to register, please go to www.kentanimalshelter.com/winesandcanines.

Kent Animal Shelter is fortunate that so many of the community’s youth have such big hearts! To find out more, visit the new Kent website page dedicated to our young heroes. Click here:  “Young Hearts Make A Big Difference!”