[NY] 300 dogs vaccinated at Brookhaven Animal Shelter

[PitBullHappenings]

300 dogs vaccinated at Brookhaven Animal Shelter
By Jennifer Gustavson| June 8, 2011

Over 300 dogs were vaccinated and more than 50 animals were micro-chipped last week during Brookhaven Animal Shelter’s annual “Free Rabies Vaccination Clinic” program.

With support from the Suffolk County Health Department, the town’s animal shelter offered free rabies vaccinations, as well as discounted booster shots and micro-chipping Saturday at Brookhaven Town Hall in Farmingville.

Second District Councilwoman Jane Bonner, who serves as the Town Board liaison to the shelter, said the event also brings attention to the importance of the health and well-being of pets.

“Events like our Rabies Clinic bring much needed attention to this issue and it’s great to see that so many of our residents took advantage of the free shots, as well as the micro-chipping,” Ms. Bonner said in a statement.

Supervisor Mark Lesko said the program is part of the town’s aggressive effort to ensure the health and safety of pets.

“It is so important to protect our pets and our families from rabies,” Mr. Lesko said in a statement.

Currently, the town is focusing on Pit Bulls and Pit Mixes because those breeds make up about 95 percent of the nearly 200 dogs at the Brookhaven Animal Shelter, town officials said.

Earlier this year, the town launched its “Brookhaven Bully Alliance” program, which encourages people to adopt Pit Bulls from the town’s animal shelter by offering $250 to participating organizations for each dog. Those animals are also spayed or neutered, vaccinated and micro-chipped.

The town also recently introduced the “Spay it Forward” program. When a resident has their Pit Bull spayed or neutered, they will receive a voucher to have another Pit Bull spayed or neutered for free. The Animal Shelter is also providing free micro-chipping, vaccines, heartworm testing and collars. The goal of this program is to help curb over-population and increase education about adopting Pit Bulls, town officials said.

For every Pit Bull that a resident gets spayed or neutered, the owner will receive a voucher to help another needy Pit Bull to receive the same services. The goal of this program is to help curb over-population and increase education and awareness about adopting Pit Bulls. The Animal Shelter is also providing free micro-chipping, vaccines, heartworm testing, and collars for anyone who gets their Pit Bull spayed or neutered.

For more information about the Brookhaven Animal Shelter, visit brookhaven.org/animalshelter.

jennifer@northshoresun.com

http://northshoresun.timesreview.com/201...l-shelter/