Paws In The Park

Paws will be hitting the trails on Saturday, May 18, at 11 AM as the Southampton Animal Shelter Foundation hosts its third annual Paws in the Park event at Red Creek Park in Hampton Bays. The one-mile hike welcomes friends, families, and, of course, dogs, all to support the shelter.

New this year will be a scavenger hunt for children and providing the music will be DJ Tony Kerr, who is also an animal lover. Additionally, the day will welcome Talk Treats to Me for special pet treats. “Talk Treats to Me is owned by Maggie Horton, who produces all-natural dog treats right here on Long Island. She also received the Innovator of the Year award for 2019, which celebrates Long Island’s best and brightest ideas,” noted volunteer and community outreach coordinator Jennifer Wojtas.

Kim Loper of Harbor Pets in Greenport will also be in attendance. “She has been a long-time supporter of our shelter and has invited us to her Dock Diving event June 1 and 2 in Greenport, which we are really excited for,” said Wojtas.

Another new vendor will be Carol Galanty, a doTerra essential oils wellness advocate, health supportive chef, and holistic health coach. Galanty is also known for her second business, Scout & Cellar, Clean Crafted Wines.

A family-friendly event, there will be face painting for kids, or the inner child in all participants, as well as a dog agility course. Each year the foundation aims to raise as much as possible, having raised over $20,000 in 2017 and 2018 combined. Last year’s top fundraiser was a volunteer couple that began the fundraising team “Team Dogma.”

Wojtas concluded, “The money raised from the event will help us to continue to provide top-notch care for the pets residing at SASF. Last year, 805 pets were adopted from our shelter and 263 strays were reunited with their families.”

The non-profit organization prides itself as a no-kill rescue with open hearts to animals of all kinds, as seen under the “Other Pets” tab on the website. Beyond adopting, the shelter has a foster program that allows individuals and families alike to temporarily take in any homeless pet. Through the fostering process, these animals will have the opportunity to be nurtured in a loving environment until they can be placed into a permanent home.

Oftentimes, for those needing extra attention, the foster program provides a space that allows for continued growth and comfort. In particular, animals that have seen one too many months with the shelter get some one-on-one time, allowing them to feel loved. As an added bonus, it frees space for other creatures who may need to immediately be admitted to the shelter. This is a philanthropic option for those who may not be able to adopt but want to make a difference. “If you fall in love, you can adopt,” the team claims.

Registration is $20 in advance and $25 the day of event. Red Creek Park is located at 100 Old Riverhead Road West in Hampton Bays, directly across from the shelter. Donate or register at www.southamptonanimalshelter.com.

nicole@indyeastend.com