Suffolk County SPCA News Alert

SUFFOLK COUNTY

SOCIETY FOR THE PREVENTION OF CRUELTY TO ANIMALS

NEWS ALERT

July 12, 2009

 

Suffolk County SPCA                                                                        CONTACT:           Chief Roy Gross

Your Local SPCA Serving Suffolk County                                                                   631-382-SPCA    

363 Route 111                                                                                                                                    (7722)

Smithtown, NY11787 

 
Newsday.com
 
 Maren Milton with the pony Serenity as she demonstartes Natural Horsemanship as the SPCA hosts a Summer Party for the Animals at the Martha Clara Vineyards in Riverhead, New York. (William Perlman, Newsday / July 11, 2009)
 
Riverhead benefit raises money for Suffolk SPCA
BY KEEGAN CALLIGAR
keegan.calligar@newsday.com
10:13 PM EDT, July 11, 2009
 
Spectators cheered as horses, carrying riders in flag-print vests, trotted in close formation, and later a K-9 dog succeeded in sniffing out the can that contained gasoline.

The four-footed performers were all in presentations yesterday at the first Summer Party for the Animals to benefit the Suffolk County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, held at Martha Clara Vineyards in Riverhead.

The event's purpose was to raise money so the SPCA can lease and renovate the dilapidated stables in Southaven County Park, south of Yaphank. The goal, SPCA chief Roy Gross said, is to "make it into a facility - a shelter - for not only dogs and cats and birds, but also for horses and even livestock we've seized."

The Suffolk SPCA is developing a contract to lease a 20-acre parcel from the county. Gross said it would cost about $1.5 million to renovate the stables.

The Suffolk SPCA, a nonprofit that began in 1984 and is not associated with the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, does not have its own shelter, instead relying on foster homes and other facilities to house animals it takes from unfit homes.

"If we can have a location such as the Southaven Stables, we could bring the animals right there, rehabilitate the animals and prepare them for adoption - that would be the ideal thing," he said. "Less stress on us, obviously, [and] less stress on the animals."

John Bakanic, 44, and his wife, Janine Bakanic, 45, both of Southold, came to support the SPCA with their daughter, Jessie, 10, and their German shepherd, Luke.

"When you hear of all these horses lately, especially on Long Island, that have been neglected . . . if they have that facility, they can take care of a lot more horses and stuff that are neglected," John Bakanic said.

If the SPCA does lease the land, one goal is to develop a program through which county jail inmates can help rehabilitate the animals.

"Something along the lines of animal rehabilitation or some sort of a veterinary program could be developed," said Michael Sharkie, chief of staff for Suffolk County Sheriff Vincent DeMarco. "We're supportive of working on a program and developing a program."

For Gross, an SPCA facility for animals is a years-long desire.

"That's my dream. So before I retire, someday hopefully this is going to be up and running," he said. "I can eventually walk away someday - which is not in the near future, I hope - but say, 'Hey, we made this thing happen.' "
Copyright © 2009, Newsday Inc.

ENJOY MORE PHOTOS OF THE GREAT DAY BY CLICKING HERE TO NEWSDAY PHOTO GALLERY 
 
The Suffolk County SPCA would like to thank everyone who made this wonderful event possible - Thank You!!!!
 

    "TEACHING A CHILD NOT TO STEP ON A CATERPILLAR IS AS VALUABLE TO THE CHILD AS IT IS TO THE CATERPILLAR."  Bradley Miller 
 
 
"Protecting Suffolk County's animals is the only job we do!"
 
View of one of the buildings in South Haven County Park in South Yaphank. The Suffolk County SPCA in conjunction with other animal rescue organizations is raising money so the SPCA can lease the county-owned South Haven Stables. The stables are in poor condition and the SPCA is currently developing a contract to lease the 20-acre parcel from the county. (Keegan Calligar, Newsday / July 11, 2009) 
 
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The Suffolk County SPCA is not affiliated with, a subdivision of, or funded by any other local, state or national humane organization.