Furever Homes

Every day is Adopt a Shelter Pet Day in Southampton. 

On April 30, 2024, the Southampton Animal Shelter Foundation (SASF) hosted Adopt a Shelter Pet Day for the entire community. The event presented: Meet the Animals, Shelter Tours, Puppy Yoga, Training Tips, Cat Q&A, Bunny Basics, and Kids Crafts. National Adopt a Shelter Pet Day, celebrated annually on April 30, got a boost this year when the Town of Southampton adopted a resolution that designates April 30 as Adopt a Shelter Pet Day within the Town of Southampton. Councilmember Michael Iasilli sponsored the resolution with the support of Councilmember Bill Pell, both animal welfare advocates. 

Councilmember Iasilli says, “It was great to sponsor the first Adopt a Shelter Pet Day in the Town of Southampton. Raising awareness of the importance of adoption is critical to the wellbeing of our shelter pets. Additionally, underscoring the affordable veterinary care and amazing work of the Shelter’s volunteers and staff enhances our partnership and encourages residents to benefit from the services provided by the Shelter. I’m now looking forward to celebrating Adopt a Shelter Pet Day every year in our town!” 

Beatrix Parash, Director of Operations at SASF from 2021 to the present (and from 2016-2019), a fierce advocate of responsible pet ownership, educates, counsels, and raises awareness about the crisis affecting animal shelters all over the country. As Parash describes, “SASF is a very unique animal shelter on Long Island. It is the ONLY Open Admission Shelter in Suffolk County and a no-kill shelter that will take in any animal regardless of any behavioral, medical or age-related issues, unlike the many Restricted Shelters on Long Island.” 

SASF is one of New York’s leading private non-profit shelters for all companion animals. The Shelter rescues dogs from kill shelters and dire situations across the country as well as overcrowded municipal shelters on Long Island and NYC. Their program socializes, integrates, and enriches the lives of shelter dogs and for many challenging canines, it is their last resort. The Shelter also has many wonderful cats in their open cat areas and two “Catios” where felines enjoy free roaming and playing. And they welcome domestic bunnies, the third most abandoned animal. They have a low-cost Wellness Clinic that will spay/neuter, vaccinate and give a wellness exam to your pet and a Pet Pantry for the elderly and those on a fixed income, helping them keep their animals. 

Tracy McLaren, Coordinator of the Advo-Cats TNR Program at SASF helps humanely trap feral cats and their kittens in the Town of Southampton. The mother cats are caught and spayed and are returned to their neighborhood, while the kittens are neutered/spayed, vaccinated, fed and cared for at the Shelter, ready for adoption. As a result, the cat population in Southampton is more controlled and everyone, especially the cats are better off for it.

On Saturday, July 20, 2024, at 6 p.m., the 15th Annual Unconditional Love Gala, the signature gala for SASF, will be held under the tents at Wickapogue and Old Town Roads in Southampton. Supporting the gala directly supports the Shelter in saving hundreds of lives every year through rescue, medical services, training, adoption and foster programs. This year’s honorees include Dave Portnoy, founder of Barstool Sports, who will be receiving an Animal Welfare award, and his rescue pup, Miss Peaches, who will receive an SASF Paws of Purpose award. Cathy Bissell, founder of the Bissell Pet Foundation will also be honored with a lifetime achievement award. For tickets and sponsorship opportunities, go to the SASF website at sasf.org.

Adopt a shelter pet today and give a warm, furry friend a loving home forever!

Southampton Animal Shelter Foundation
102 Old Riverhead Rd. WEST, Hampton Bays
631-728-PETS (7387)  |  www.sasf.org

Hours: Monday-Sunday, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.