LI's Adorable Adoptables is a weekly column by Allison Matos, a lifelong Long Island resident who has been advocating animal adoption since 2012. Allison's weekly posts highlight local animals in need of adoption, and cover general animal welfare topics as well.
About 2 years ago, Anthony Grella and his mom Tracie were faced with the loss of their family pit bull. As most of us know, the loss of a pet is devastating enough for grown-ups, and all the more difficult for children to understand. In an attempt to cope with the loss, Tracie and her son began the most wonderful process of volunteering their time by helping animals in need.
While volunteering at the Suffolk Community College Pet Expo, Anthony and his mom stumbled upon a group known as KAS, Kids Adopt a Shelter, whose mission is to get today’s youth involved with helping animals. After speaking with KAS, Anthony was determined to adopt a shelter and help as many homeless animals as possible.
Anthony is now an official volunteer at Sweetest Dog Rescue of Long Island. Part of Anthony’s goal is to collect as many donations as possible which then helps the shelter purchase items needed to help the animals they save. So how would a 5 year old generate the funds to make an impact? Seeing profit in items otherwise thrown away, Anthony asked his mom to not only save her water bottles and cans from the fate of the recycle bin, but to ask everyone in Nassau County to do the same!
So come on Long Island - its 5 year olds like Anthony who will make the difference for our homeless animals! Please help turn your recyclables (bottles and cans) into food and medicine and leashes and blankets for animals in need. To donate, contact Tracie at 516-272-1759.
And now, it’s my pleasure to introduce you to Shelly, Comet and Fozzie:
I must admit I have a special place in my heart for Shelly, the gorgeous black lab mix available at Last Hope Animal Rescue in Wantagh. Three years ago I found myself at Last Hope searching for my furever friend, and that’s when I fell in love with my lab mix, Pepper. Shelly is a 10 month old lovely, intelligent and gentle girl who comes to Last Hope from an overcrowded Kentucky shelter.
Shelly has the “I want to learn” Lab look in her eyes, and would be a lovely addition to a family. I know first-hand that lab mixes make the best family dogs, so check out Shelly’s webpage for more information, or even better…head down to Last Hope and visit her today!
What’s cooler than a comet? Comet is the adorable white ball of fluff who comes to Last Hope from a municipal shelter and is now getting lots of attention from the volunteers. Comet is a sweet guy born in 2008 with so much love to give! Do you think you have room in your heart and home for him? Check out Comet’s webpage here!
And right next door at the Town of Hempstead Animal Shelter, you can meet Fozzie - a 10 month old sweetheart who is as gorgeous as they come. Fozzie came into the shelter as a stray when he was 7 months old. Fozzie is house trained and crate trained. He knows the commands "sit", "down", "come" and "roll over"- a genius! Fozzie is friendly with people, and is described as a very lovable dog.
Fozzie is unsure about how to interact with other dogs, and needs encouragement from his human buddy to relax and be playful, so slow, correct intros are needed for Fozzie to be comfortable. Please ask to see Fozzie today, or give the Shelter a call at 516-785-5220 for more information!
Thanks for reading and please remember to always adopt- never shop!
