Dan's Papers - January 16, 2009 - A HOUND, CORGI, BEAGLE & 3 LABS SEND OUT S.O.S.

Many people may not realize that the current economic crisis affects not just people, but pets. A growing number of local animal rescue groups are trying to cope with the rising numbers of dogs and cats that are being given up by pet owners who find they need to relocate, after losing their jobs or even their homes.

"There's a high number of dogs dumped by their owners, who bring them here asking us to find homes, or worse yet, they bring them to the shelters where they could be euthanized in a week," said Whitney Knowlton, of Last Chance Animal Rescue Fund in Southampton. She and Priscilla Egan started the group last December, in response to the increasing numbers of dogs needing homes.

"We locate animals here and in other areas that are scheduled to be euthanized, and transport them here, get them vetted, spayed and neutered, and then put them in foster homes until we can place them," said Knowlton, who has been rescuing animals her entire life. "We're always looking for volunteer foster homes, and donations," she said.

Donations to this non-profit group are critical now, with six puppies saved from euthanization in a North Carolina shelter. Knowlton described it as "the worst conditions."

These dogs (hounds, black labs and goldens, a corgi and a beagle) are now in local foster homes. To donate or foster a dog, go to www.LCARF.org, or send a check payable to Last Chance Animal Rescue Fund (61 Shore Road, Southampton, 11968).

Even well established animal groups such as Animal Rescue Fund of the Hamptons (ARF), which started in 1974, need help now. "Winter is always our hardest time, and no one wants the animals to go hungry or be cold," said Sara Davison, Executive Director. "We're also seeing people forced to give up their pets due to economic hardship, and more people need assistance with the pets they still have. It will be harder this year for us to provide this additional help due to our shortfall of revenue."

ARF does three fundraisers a year, but not in the winter. For now, they're sending mailings urging people to donate and visit their thrift shops in Water Mill and Sagaponack. Davison said that, although 2008 was their best adoption year so far, "this was before the last few months when the economy sagged, and we are hoping it will pick up in the summer."

ARF welcomes donations of dogs or cat food, or money, sent to ARF, P.O. Box 901, Wainscott, N.Y. 11975 (www.arfhamptons.org).

To raise money and awareness, the Wildlife Center of the Hamptons has started a new campaign. The group, which rescues and rehabilitates various types of injured wildlife at their Hampton Bays facility, is doing an "adopt an animal" sponsorship campaign for Valentine's Day. Adults and kids can choose from eight different baby animal species to "adopt," including a white-tailed fawn, American robin, gray squirrel, Eastern cottontail, Virginia opossum, Canada goose, great horned owlet, and mallard duck. A $30 sponsorship includes an adoption certificate, a letter from the animal, a photo of the animal, a wildlife bracelet, sticker and a one-year membership to the Center. For $50, a stuffed animal of the species is included, and for $75, donors also get a Wildlife Center t-shirt.

Check the website (www.wildliferescuecenter.org), or send a check to Wildlife Rescue Center, 228 West Montauk Hwy., Hampton Bays, N.Y. 11946.

Elsa's Ark, run by Pat Lillas of East Hampton, has been rescuing and spaying/neutering animals for almost 20 years. Lillas never turns away a needy animal if she can help it, and she has quite a menagerie of cats, dogs, ferrets, chickens and rabbits. Being a small non-profit organization, Elsa's needs all the help it can get, so call 631-329-2900, visit "Elsa's Ark" Southampton Thrift Shop, or send checks payable to Elsa's Ark, P.O. Box 2900, East Hampton, N.Y. 11937.