The 30 dogs that currently reside at the Southampton Animal Shelter sure live happy lives there.There’s Caliber, a 4-year-old pit bull terrier mix with boundless energy; Athena, a 3-year-old Staffordshire bull terrier and English bulldog mix who loves nothing more than a good tennis ball to chew; and Domino, an 11-year-old Jack Russell terrier who may not have the best eyesight, but is still sweet and trusting with everyone she meets.These three dogs, along with all the others, do enjoy their time at the Hampton Bays facility—but would enjoy it much more if they had their own families and a place to call home.To acknowledge Adopt A Shelter Dog Month, which is recognized in October, the Southampton Animal Shelter is waiving adoption fees for all canines that have been at the shelter for more than 90 days. Adoption fees otherwise cost $150 for large dogs and $225 for small dogs and puppies, and cover vaccines, spay and neuter costs, and other vet expenses.Dogs like Caliber, Athena and Domino, as well as Bo, Queenie and Promise, are eligible to be taken home free of charge—Bo, a 2-year-old pointer mix, is a more recent addition to the shelter, having arrived in June. But Queenie, a 5-year-old pit bull terrier mix, has lived at the facility for two years.Katie McEntee, chairperson of the Southampton Animal Shelter Foundation’s junior committee and a member of its advisory board, explained that five million to seven million companion animals enter shelters every year—mostly because people move and choose not to take their pet, or a couple divorces and doesn’t settle on who takes the animal—and more than half of them are destroyed due to capacity limits.“There is a complete overpopulation of animals in America, so you do save a life when you adopt a shelter dog,” Ms. McEntee said, adding that Southampton Animal Shelter is a no-kill facility. “And when you adopt dogs from shelters, it’s another way to fight against puppy mills.”A puppy mill, according to the ASPCA, is a large-scale commercial dog breeding operation that often does not adhere to responsible breeding practices and “places profit over the well-being of its dogs.” Organizations like the Southampton Animal Shelter aim to raise awareness about adopting shelter animals with the phrase “Adopt, Don’t Shop.”Ms. McEntee said people often go straight to dog breeders or stores because they don’t believe they’ll find a cute puppy in a shelter, or the breed they are looking for. But what it really takes to find the perfect companion is research, consistency and patience.“Sometimes it’s going from one shelter to another,” Ms. McEntee said. “Your dog is in a shelter somewhere. A lot of people think they have to buy a puppy from a dog store because puppies don’t end up in shelters, but that’s completely untrue. We get a lot of puppies, and a lot of purebreds.”Shelter dogs typically have lived in homes before, so they are often potty trained and do well in a home environment, especially if they spend some time in a foster home.Volunteers at the shelter have learned that Queenie loves taking dips in the pool, Domino prefers to be in a quiet setting, and Bo enjoys going to the beach. Promise will cuddle with anyone on the couch, Caliber is goofy and fun, and Athena is a well-trained, sweet girl.Such characteristics, however, may not always show immediately when a dog is sitting in a shelter, so workers recommend that people take the time to learn about each dog.“You really have to get them out in a room or outside with you and interacting with you. They’re really different,” said Louise Taylor, a volunteer. “I think they know that they’re lucky to get a home. When you take them into your home, they’re so appreciative.”But Ms. McEntee points out that people should be looking to adopt rather than shop for their companion all throughout the year, and not just in October.“Obviously shelter dogs make great pets all year around,” she said. “It’s just to get the awareness of adopting a shelter dog out there. You will get a great pet.”The Southampton Animal Shelter is a nonprofit organization operated by the Southampton Animal Shelter Foundation since 2010. This week, Southampton Town announced a new five-year agreement with the foundation that includes annual funding from the town, beginning with $175,000 in 2016 and increasing to $250,000 in 2020 to assist the foundation’s client services. The town will provide an additional $33,600 per year for the boarding of stray animals delivered to the shelter by Town Animal Control, according to a press release.For more information on the available dogs for adoption, visit southamptonanimalshelter.com and Southampton Animal Shelter Foundation on Facebook, or call (631) 728-PETS.
Alyssa Melillo on Oct 20, 2015