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Elmsford's Pets Alive Protects, Nurtures Adoptable Pets

ELMSFORD, N.Y. - There is an owner for every pet and Pets Alive Westchester's no-kill animal sanctuary has made the work of matching adoptable animals of all kinds with loving owners.

Dogs, cats, rabbits and other adoptable pets are waiting for new homes at Pets Alive.

Dogs, cats, rabbits and other adoptable pets are waiting for new homes at Pets Alive.

Photo Credit: Pets Alive
Four-year old "Trouble' is looking for an owner.

Four-year old "Trouble' is looking for an owner.

Photo Credit: Pets Alive

Staffed by a caring and experienced staff of volunteers, Pets Alive gas worked to extend the lives of animals and find each of them since taking over the old Elmsford Animal Shelter.

"I have have often been struck by the close bonds forged by the animals and volunteers," volunteer Melissa Share said. "I have walked most of the dogs there and found them to be utterly appealing- loving, affectionate, and strong despite their difficult situations."

Before Pets Alive took over, the Elmsford shelter housed more than 500 dogs, many of whom were cramped five to an enclosure, according to Share. The other side of the shelter houses dogs rescued from High-Kill animal shelters in the south or as far as Puerto Rico. 

Pets Alive Westchester (or PAW) regularly sends staff to an airport to pick up cages of animals who have left very precarious positions in other shelters.

"Cats were housed in carriers Tokyo apartment-style, one on top of the other," Share said. "Now, there are rarely more than two dogs per enclosure; usually there is only one and if there are two, the dogs have proven to be old friends or at least on the way to being so. There are now only 100 of these "Legacy" dogs who range in age from adult to seniors. These animals hold the greatest appeal for me personally- some have been in the shelter for 10 years."

Prospective owners interested in adoption go through a process designed to find an animal best suited to their lifestyle. The staff will introduce owners to an animal that interests them and will even do a canine or feline meet-and-greet if the prospective owner has another pet.

"People are provided plenty of time to get to know the dog/cat/rabbit that has captured their attention," Share said. "Prospective owners fill out a form  indicating whether they will adopt or opt to "forever foster" the animal. PAW provides medical care and free boarding to animals that have been forever fostered. This is a terrific program."

Pets Alive is a non-profit 501 c3 organization operating solely on donations, receiving no funding from city or state.

For more information, log on to the Pets Alive website or contact PAW at adoptions@petsalivewest.org.

 

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