Adoptable pets to shower you with gratitude this holiday season. Nov. 23-24

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Thanksgiving allows us to embrace thankfulness for the blessings in our lives. It’s a time to fill your home with lights, love, laughter, and life. As we get together this season, let’s show our furry family members more affection. Their unwavering companionship makes our days brighter and happier.
Thanksgiving is a time for gratitude, family gatherings, and celebrations, but while you’re busy preparing for the holiday, you can easily overlook the possible dangers for your pet. Here are a few to keep in mind.
Prevent decor hazards
- Decorative Plants: Many Thanksgiving plants, including holly, poinsettias, and chrysanthemums, can be toxic to pets if consumed. Complications include diarrhea, vomiting, and possibly more serious health issues.
- Candles: Although lit candles are often used to create a warm Thanksgiving ambiance, curious pets could knock them over, burn themselves, or start a fire. Battery-powered candles are a safe alternative.
- Frills Galore: Although they may appear like toys, tinsel, ribbons, and ornaments can cause major health problems if consumed.
Dangers of food
- Harmful toxins: Chocolate, onions, raisins, and grapes are among the usual items that are highly harmful to pets and should be kept out of their reach. Thanksgiving classics like stuffing, green bean casserole, and other holiday favorites frequently contain these items.
- Steer clear of bones: Dogs and cats should never be allowed to eat poultry bones, as they can break up or splinter in a pet’s stomach. To avoid this potentially deadly situation, all bones should be discarded in a closed trash can.
- Empty the garbage: This is probably the last thing on your mind, but it’s not on theirs. Garbage is filled with all of those harmful things we try to keep them away from. If left unattended or forgotten, their curiosity could get the best of them.
Meet Baby Bella

Meet Baby Bella
Bella is a seven-week-old female tabby and white kitten that is just super petite and adorable. Bella was found outdoors all by herself. Her history is a mystery. She was taken indoors and for medical care and she’s doing very well. Bella loves people and is friendly. She loves to be Pet & held and is affectionate. Bella is playful too.
We are now taking pre-applications for Bella’s adoption. She will have her second set of vaccinations and be spayed when age-appropriate by the rescue. If anyone is interested in meeting and adopting Bella, please fill out an application online: (Courtesy/StatenIslandHopeRescue)StatenIslandHopeRescue
Adoption events
If you want to adopt, please remember that there are loving senior and disabled pets who need your care and attention, too. If you cannot adopt, please consider fostering or sharing the information with someone who could use some good company.
Nov. 23
- Staten Island Hope Animal Rescue will be at Bricktown Commons Petco, 165 Bricktown Way, Suite 1C, from 3 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
- SICAW will be at Immanuel Union Church, 693 Jewett Avenue, Staten Island, NY, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. for their annual holiday fair.
- Louie’s LAR will be at Woodbridge High School, 1 Samuel Lupo Place, Woodbridge, NJ, from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Weekly event: Animal Care Centers of New York City is open to adopt dogs, cats, guinea pigs, and rabbits at 3139 Veterans Rd. West from noon to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday. For general information on adopting from ACC and other community-based programs through ACC, go to www.nycacc.org.

Come meet 100+ adoptable friends at Louie’s Legacy Animal Rescue’s MEGA adoption event, Home for the Holidays! Saturday, November 23rd, 2024 at Woodbridge High School (1 Samuel Lupo Pl, Woodbridge, NJ 07095) from 11am – 3pm.LouiesLegacy
Upcoming event
Best Friends Animal Society is teaming up with Chew Clause to offer free pet adoptions at Best Friends Pet Lifesaving Center in NYC from Friday, November 29, to Sunday, December 1. Best Friends is located at 307 West Broadway and is open every day from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. More information to come!
Meet Quick

Meet Quick, an 8-week-old (as of 11/13), adorable Heeler mix. This delightful puppy is soft, sweet, cuddly and super loving. He is great with other dogs and friendly.
The Q puppies range in size from 7-10lbs as of 11/13
If you would like to adopt this Rockstar, please email rescue@pupstarzrescue.org or visit www.pupstarzrescue.org for an application!
www.pupstarzrescue.org
Please Follow us on Instagram: @pupstarzrescue
Like us on FaceBook! www.facebook.com/PupStarzRescue
**Puppies are hard work. If you are not ready for a ‘new baby’ please adopt an adult or senior who needs you! In addition, we cannot guarantee the breed, size, temperament, or age of a puppy.** (Courtesy/Pupstarz)Pupstarz
Gifts for animal lovers
Julie Forlenza, a former teacher at I.S. 7, PS 62, and manager at Woof and Tails Lodge , took action after Hurricane Ian to help animals in shelters. She is the owner of Black Dog Portrait. Her passion for helping animals is exceptional. Check her out on Facebook or Instagram.
Stellar Villa is a New York City-based artist who recently raised over $11,500 for pet shelters after she single-handedly created 1,252 custom pieces of art of people’s pets over 21 days. Now, she is working to create ongoing partnerships with local animal shelters to continue raising money. If you’re looking for a gift for a dog lover, check out Stellar’s work.
A Big Life for Buddy is a children’s book written and illustrated by Sophia Di Meglio. It offers children a lighthearted look at an exceptional dog and teaches them about growing older, belonging, and the fact that loss is a natural part of life.
Meet Niedo and Nilla

Nilla and Niedo are 7 1/2 month old bonded pair that is looking for a home together. They have been indoors since babies, and were bottle fed by the foster. They are super sweet and lovable. Nilla is a female, Niedo is a male and they absolutely love each other. Nilla and Neido are exceptionally sweet, love to be pet and picked up. They love to lay by your side and cuddle and purr.
They are spayed and neutered, microchipped , up-to-date on all vaccinations, FIV/FELV negative.
If anyone would like to meet this adorable duo and adopt them please fill out an application online: (Courtesy/StatenIslandHopeRescue)StatenIslandHopeRescue
Ongoing
1. Low-cost or free spay and neuter: The ASPCA’s free and low-cost mobile spay and neuter van travels throughout the five boroughs in every neighborhood.
Low-income pet owners in the five boroughs with proof of public assistance, such as welfare, Medicaid, Medicare, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), disability, food stamps, TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families), or public housing qualify for free spay/neuter services for their cat or dog. If you have a pit bull, pit-bull mix, or certain large breed dogs, it’s also free.
For the exact times, the van will be in your area, as well as pre-visit instructions, visit aspca.org/pet-care/spayneuter, or call 877-SPAY-NYC (877-772-9692).
2. Apply for a dog license. Save time and postage by applying online. For an application or more information, visit nyc.gov/doglicense. View the flyer in the gallery above.
Hiking trails
Dog-friendly parks
· Allison Park, off-leash area, the field at the end of the trail bordered by Prospect Avenue, Sailors Snug Harbor Cemetery, and the pond
· Amundsen Trail, off-leash area, between Amboy Road and Hylan Boulevard
· Arthur Von Briesen Park, off-leash area, lawn area, mid-park on the right side
· Bloomingdale Park, dog run, Maguire Avenue behind athletic fields closer to Ramona Avenue
· Clove Lakes Park, off-leash area, the open field above picnic area near Royal Oak Road and Rice Avenue
· Clove Lakes Park, off-leash area, Brookside Avenue between Alpine Court and Kingsley Avenue (lawn area)
· Clove’s Tail Park, off-leash area, lawn area, corner of Victory Boulevard and Little Clove Road
· Conference House Park, dog run, Clermont Avenue and Massachusetts Street
· Cozzens Woods Park, off-leash area, Page Avenue between Hylan Boulevard and Amboy Road
· Crescent Beach Park, off-leash area, Tennyson Drive, and Glover Avenue; located in the meadow area leading to the beach
· Evergreen Park, off-leash area, Greaves Avenue and Evergreen Street
· Father Macris Park, off-leash area, lawn beyond ball field
· Ida Court Playground, dog run, Ida Court between North Railroad Street and Drumgoole Road East
· Lemon Creek Park, off-leash area, the bottom of Seguine Avenue at Johnston Terrace; just below the playground
· Siedenburg Park, off-leash area, Greaves Avenue, and Evergreen Street
· Silver Lake Park, dog run, Victory Boulevard below the pavilion, across from the Parkview Apartments
· South Beach Park, off-leash area. Note: On sand only after Labor Day and before Memorial Day
· Willowbrook Park, off-leash area, Archery Range Field
· Wolfe’s Pond Park, dog run, to the left of Cornelia Avenue
For more information with rules and regulations, visit nycgovparks.org/facilities/dogareas.
Dogs cannot enter any bathing facilities, including those at New York City beaches. However, from Oct. 1 through May 1, leashed dogs are allowed on the sand and boardwalk at Midland Beach and South Beach.
For more information on rules and regulations, visit nycgovparks.org/facilities/dogareas.
Pet poison helplines
If you think your pet may have ingested a potentially poisonous substance, contact the Pet Poison Hotline at 855-764-7661 or petpoisonhelpline.com, or contact the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at 888-426-4435 or aspca.org.
As the seasons change, keep in mind the plants that are poisonous to animals: https://www.rover.com/blog/poisonous-plants/
To report animal cruelty
To report an incident of animal abuse, call Crime Stoppers at 800-577-TIPS or visit www.nypdcrimestoppers.com.
Environmental conservation
To contact an environmental conservation police officer or report suspected violations, contact the DEC Law Enforcement Dispatch Center at 844-DEC-ECOS (844-332-3267) or dec.ny.gov/
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