Problem Identification

Numerous Long Island residents have beloved pets for adoption and are attempting to find them new homes themselves rather than surrendering them to their town animal shelter. The prospect of a dog being adopted from a municipal animal shelter is uncertain and at times depends only on luck. Some lost pets are taken care of by concerned citizens who are trying to reunite them with their families, rather than taking them to their local shelter.

Research

Finding a pet a new home is not an easy task and can be very time consuming. Advertising a pet in the newspaper is the most common method of finding a pet a new home. Some people can afford to pay to have their pet placed in a private shelter for adoption but the majority cannot. Posting signs around town on street poles is commonplace and using word of mouth through local veterinarians and friends sometimes works.

Planning

Town shelters do not have cages for all pets needing refuge. Thus, every week many dogs and cats are destroyed in order to make room for the new homeless arrivals.

Nassau and Suffolk County can provide a safety net for the adoption of pets that are in need of homes by county residents. Both counties can provide the space, expertise, and access to equipment and supplies needed to make an adoption a success or to reunite separated loved ones. In addition to reducing the overwhelming burden that exists on our town shelters, the counties would be providing a public benefit that is sensible, as well as economically and morally preferable to sheltering and euthanizing homeless pets.

 

Final Design

Have A Heart, Long Island's first-of-its kind pro-active community project, can help alleviate this problem with a simple, straightforward solution. The project is called Paws in the Park. Pet owners for the first time, will be able to show their pets for adoption at a public place designated for the sole purpose of finding them new homes. For example, Project Paws in the Park can take place at Christopher Morley Park in North Hempstead. The park currently has an enclosed area for dogs to run  and is visible from Searingtown Road. Paws in the Park can be held weekly on Sundays so that it does not interfere with animal adoptions available at town shelters. All Nassau and Suffolk County town shelters are currently closed on Sundays.

Public information about Paws in the Park can be spread by both the public and private sectors. Nassau and Suffolk County can post Paws in the Park street signs notifying the public of the time and place where the program will be held  and citizens can advertise in the newspaper that their pets will be available for viewing and adoption at Paws in the Park.

Implementation

Paws in the Park can be run by  community service based organizations, preferably ones that would use any money raised from this event to provide veterinary care and adoption of sheltered pets.

 

 

 HISTORY 

In 2004 Have A Heart was given a permit to hold its first "PAWS IN THE PARK" adoption event.

Click here to see photo shows of past events

I would like to thank Nassau County Legislator Craig Johnson for his commitment and support of the residents of Nassau County and his personal support to preserve the precious lives of our family pets.

While the weather wasn't perfect, the event was. Many dogs, cats, and even birds found new homes. We exceeded our expectations and at least one pet was adopted every 15 minutes during the period the event took place.

As a result, we held a second event in Suffolk County and the adoption rate was just as high.