Posts Tagged ‘dogs’

Help Us HELP THEM

Tuesday, May 3rd, 2011

 

The success, even the simple functioning as an organization, of Bobbi and the Strays would not be possible without the dedication, time, strength, and support of our volunteers.  Volunteers are our core – those that directly help us to help them.  “Them” being the thousands of dogs and cats that have come into our care and who have been placed in loving homes because of it.

 

Volunteers at an Adoption Event

Volunteers at an Adoption Event

 

AND we are always looking for a few good men and women to help us with our cause.  If you have some spare time or some spare skills – or even some spare space – there are so many ways that you can volunteer.

 

Annette at a Humane Education School Presentation

Annette at a Humane Education School Presentation

 

We have multiple locations.  Two Adoption Centers – one in Glendale, Queens – the other in Freeport, Long Island.  We also have two locations that shelter our animals but are closed to the public – one near JFK airport and the other in Long Island City, Queens.

 

Hiking with the Hounds in Alley Pond Park

Hiking with the Hounds in Alley Pond Park

 

You can even volunteer at off-site locations mostly in Queens, Brooklyn, Long Island, and Manhattan – for our Adoption or Fundraising Events, or even things like our Humane Education program or “Hiking with the Hounds”.

 

Sonia helping transport some dogs

Sonia helping to transport some doggies

 

Like being behind the scenes?  How about helping us transport dogs, cats, food, and other supplies?  Maybe you can help with general administration duties, computer work, or mass mailings.

 

Helping at the Adoption Van

Helping at the Adoption Van

 

Work in a Professional trade (plumber, artist, electrician, painter, lawyer, etc.) – donate your professional services.  Manage a bar or restaurant – how about helping us with a fundraiser?  Own or run a business that has a parking lot – allow us to hold an adoption event!

 

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Kristie and Genna on 1240 WGBB

 

We have many opportunities for volunteers – throughout many parts of New York City and Long Island.  From fostering a homeless dog or cat in your own home, or helping at adoption and fundraising events, to walking dogs and socializing cats.  You can even help us as a photographer – or write for our newsletters or blog!  There are so many ways that you can get involved and help make a difference.

 

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Walking the Dogs!

 

Please refer to our Volunteering page on our website – http://bobbiandthestrays.org/Volunteering.aspx.  It lists the most common ways that you can help us.  If you want to help – or have other ideas on how you can help us help them – please do not hesitate to contact us.  You can email volunteer@bobbicares.org or call us at (718) 326-6070 or (516) 378-4340. 

 

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Pet Food Drive at Lee Road Elementary

 

In the meantime, we encourage you to stop by our new shelter in Freeport or our adoption center in Glendale and visit with our furry friends and help spread the word to help them find wonderful forever homes.

 

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Brian giving Zeke belly rubs : - )

 

Your continued support is so very much appreciated!  Help us to “Keep up the Good Work” – Volunteer Today!!!

 

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Rob helping and cuddling at an Adoption Event

 

The Search For Frances Part 2

Wednesday, December 15th, 2010

Sadly Wednesday was not the day we would find Frances.  I spent the day searching Prospect Park with another one of my dogs, a pit bull named Lucky Charm. We searched more of the northside of the park. We went by the zoo, to the Vale of Cashmere, all along the bridal paths. There was absolutely no sign of Frances. We posted flyers along the way. The more we post, the better chance we have of a sighting being reported.  The park seemed so big. When I took Lucky home at four o’clock, I felt a little overwhelmed.  After two and half days of searching, there were parts of the park that we hadn’t even touched yet.

I met Christine, Anthony and Sonia (our morning supervisor at the shelter) in the park at seven pm that night. We hadn’t had any sign of Frances. No one had seen her. We were getting a little desperate so we took a shot in the dark and decided to set a humane trap on the hill where the cane corso was seen which is also right next to a water source. It was a likely place where she would be hang out… but there was no real evidence. Christine reasoned that even if we got the cane corso, it would be a good thing. We just prayed we didn’t get any raccoons … especially rabid ones. We had just read that there was raccoons with rabies in the park and someone had gotten bitten recently. This coupled with last nights screams from Lookout Hill,  had me a little on edge.

We met at 7th street and Prospect Park West again. Christine had brought us all face masks because it was freezing outside. So here we are. Four people with face masks on, carrying flashlights, a huge wire trap and two snag poles, walking through the pitch black darkness of Prospect Park. Its a wonder someone didn’t call the police on us.

The trap was extremely heavy and difficult to hold, esp because it was cold out. Anthony had to create a shoulder sling.  Quaker Hill was in the middle of the park and it was no easy trek.  We shone the flashlights over the vast fields along the way. A lot of people let their dogs play off leash when its dark.  There was so much hope every time one ran past us, and then disappointment when it was Frances. As we neared the woods we saw a medium sized dog sitting on a path under a shadow.

And then: “Oh my god, there she is!” Christine exclaimed. She dropped what she was carrying and ran towards the dog, “Frances!” She exclaimed. She ran to the dog… and to the dog’s owners and then realized that the dog was not Frances at all.  She apologized to the people and explained we were looking for a lost dog. We have them a flyer.  “I’m losing my damn mind,” She said as we resumed our trip into the woods with the trap.It was heartbreaking. The dog had looked like Frances from a distance and we had wanted it to be her so badly. The mind plays tricks on you sometimes, especially in the dark. I walked in silence. My heart hurt and I knew others felt the same.

Getting the trap up Quaker Hill was the hardest part. It was a pretty steep hill and we went through some thorny brush and then over two huge fallen tree trunks.  I was on the look out for the Cane Corso and raccoons with abnormal social behavior. Christine and Sonia walked to the top of the hill while Anthony set up the trap.  Sonia and I went to the Chinese restaurant before we came to buy fried chicken as bait for Frances. We also had a blanket with her scent on it given to us by Vicki, the volunteer who fostered Frances before she was adopted. Sonia and Christine had no luck searching the top of the hill and helped us wrap the trap in a tarp which would hide the trap and also keep Frances warm if we caught her.

I can’t say I wasn’t happy when we finished setting everything up so we could leave Quaker Hill.  We left a garlic powder trail down the hill. Its easy for the dogs to smell and follow the scent. Garlic is not good for dogs but since its a powder in the dirt its hard for them to eat it, but easy to smell.

We then walked around the park with the flashlights searching under bushes, in hollowed trees and in any small hiding spot that we could find. It was so cold all I could think about was if Frances had found a warm spot to sleep. A spot out of the wind. She has been outside before, I told myself, she is smart. But still it was so cold my own fingers were numb through the gloves. I couldn’t help worry about her. We searched all the water sources again since it was likely she would be hanging out around there. We went to the boathouse area and then the stream that leads to the boat house from the lower pool. Then we searched by the lull water and the lake. We posted flyer after flyer to make sure no one walking in the park would miss it. Then hours later we went back to check the trap. It was empty.

We kept going though. We walked all around the cemetery looking for holes in the fence where she could get in. We went down any dirt path we could find and fanned out in the woods with our lights. We searched by the lake and over by the ice skating rink. We searched for hours and hours. We check the trap again. Nothing.  Maybe she would go in sometime in the morning, we reasoned. She was probably sleeping now anyway…

I kept thinking about how wonderful it would be when I saw her. Would I find her hiding in some hollowed tree, all curled up? I would shine my flashlight in and there she would be. Just like that. Or maybe she would just be trotting across the field. I kept thinking about this. The moment we would find her… I was trying to will this moment into existence.  But it just wouldn’t happen.

We posted flyers all the way out of the park and to our cars… It was around midnight when we finally left.

Tomorrow, we had said. Tomorrow would be the day…

BATS is on Facebook!

Tuesday, July 20th, 2010

Bobbi and the Strays is getting more and more technical and spreading the word through other outlets on-line – besides, of course – our own website – www.BobbiAndTheStrays.org.

We even have our very own Fan Page on Facebook with over 1,200 FANS!  Thank you to our current Fans!  Everyone else – please join us!!!

Join Bobbi and the Strays Fan Page!

We post pictures of the dogs and cats we have available for adoption, photos from our past events, some great volunteer shots and of course pics of our adoptees happy in their new homes.

You can also find out about the latest goings-on too – like our upcoming events, newest rescue animals, contests that you can help us win, and other great info.

Connecting with our other fans can be fun too.  Please feel free to post your own photos, comments, and of course, any ideas on how everyone can help stray dogs and cats.   

Bobbi and the Strays is on Facebook!

Be sure to suggest our page to your friends too!

We Will Soon Be Homeless…

Tuesday, April 20th, 2010

 

The temporary building we use to house our larger dogs is being torn down, so donations (and/or a building/shelter/land) are urgently needed in order for Bobbi & the Strays to find a permanent home. This space currently houses many amazing larger dogs all waiting to be adopted.

 

Bobbi & the Strays operates out of two facilities, a TEMPORARY donated retail space at the Atlas Mall in Queens that houses our cats and smaller dogs, and the building that will be torn down which currently houses our larger dogs.

 

Do you know someone that would be willing to donate a building or land to us? Do you know of a reasonably priced building or land for sale or lease? We don’t need much – essentially plumbing & heating. Outdoor space is essential. We will consider all communities in Queens (and even close surrounding areas) that are easily accessible to the public, by subway/bus, car, and/or foot.

 

The destruction of the space we use for our larger dogs will cripple our rescue operation if our large dogs have nowhere to go. We are relying on your generous support, help, and donations to get Bobbi & the Strays a “forever” home where we can continue to do the important work that saves the lives of so many animals each year.

 

We were originally told that we have until this coming January – now it looks like it will be much, MUCH, sooner…  Please Help!

 

To donate directly to Bobbi and the Strays’ Building Fund please click here – “Donate to the Building Fund”.

 

To help find a new home for Bobbi and the Strays, please email building@bobbicares.org or call (718) 326-6070 or visit our website.

Why I Volunteer

Tuesday, April 6th, 2010

Story submitted by Vicki Wright, a Bobbi and the Strays volunteer. 

My search for a new dog to bring into our family started  online. Although our beloved Cody passed away only a few weeks prior, I certainly wasn’t ready for another dog, but looking online seemed safe enough. After putting in our zip code and type of dog, I found a lot of shelters that I was totally unaware of. The one that caught my eye was Bobbi and the Strays. Of course I liked the name, but after checking more into it, the story of the place itself was inspirational. 

In the meantime I did some volunteer work with a local shelter as well as another animal rescue group, who does not have a shelter. I did enjoy my work with these organizations, but I felt something was missing. It just wasn’t a good fit. 

 

Although we did not adopt our new dog from Bobbi’s, I kept checking the website for new dogs and upcoming events. I felt drawn to it somehow and that is when I became a fan of Bobbi and the Strays on Facebook. As a Fan, I saw a picture of the Alley Pond Park hike and contacted Laura about getting involved in it. I received an e-mail from Laura immediately stating how happy she was that I was interested in doing this. That was when it all started for me. 

 

I met Laura and a few other ladies that following Sunday morning and was teamed up with Lennox. Before Laura brought him out she asked “can I handle a strong dog that pulls”?  I thought to myself…hmm the dogs at the other shelter were pretty bad walkers, so sure I can. Ahhhh! Lennox………my first love. Even though he basically took me for a hike, I didn’t mind at all. During that hike I learned that the dogs sometimes go to training classes but at the moment there wasn’t anyone to take them. I was actually going to go to dog training school, so I jumped on the chance to take a dog. I took Lennox on Monday nights to Pawsative Dog Training. That was it, I was hooked. This was the place for me.

Vicki (2nd from Left) with Lennox at Alley Pond Park

Vicki (2nd from Left) with Lennox at Alley Pond Park

I try and get to the shelter at least twice a week to walk, feed, and play with the dogs. It is the highlight of my week. I also have brought home several dogs for playdates with my dog. They love getting out of the shelter for the day and sleeping in a warm home. This is by far the most rewarding thing I have ever done.

Vicki, her dog Murray and Bamboo at Vicki's house. Bamboo got to go home w Vicki for a playdate with Murray

Vicki, her dog Murray and Bamboo at Vicki's house. Bamboo got to go home w Vicki for a playdate with Murray

I can’t say enough about Laura. She loves those dogs like crazy and is the nicest person I may have ever met. I realize that volunteering is about helping out the animals and the reward in that is unsurpassable, however, Laura is always there with a “Thank you”. She is so appreciative of everything that the volunteers do. I just want to thank Bobbi and the whole crew of workers for making us, the volunteers, want to do all we do.

Axle on a playdate with Vicki's dog Murray at Vicki's house. (see Murray's head!)

Axle on a playdate with Vicki's dog Murray at Vicki's house. (see Murray's head!)

Yappy Hour – Thanks!!!

Tuesday, September 15th, 2009

The first ever Bobbi and the Strays Yappy Hour was held on August 9th at the On 3 restaurant in Glenhead. The event was a huge success! There were yummy appetizers and cocktails served On 3′s beautiful outdoor patio, great raffle prizes and live music by Heidi and Ramo!  Bobbi and the Strays volunteers brought along some adoptable dogs while the guests brought along their own doggies to join in the festivities!   

Bobbi's Volunteers and Doggies at Yappy Hour

Bobbi's Volunteers and Doggies at Yappy Hour!

Sparkie, a 4 yr old hound for adoption

Sparkie, a 4 year old hound up for adoption

Heidi waves hello!

Heidi waves hello!

Petey and Bobbi

Petey and Bobbi

Jen, a volunteer hugs Judy who is up for adoption

Jen, a volunteer hugs Judy who is up for adoption

Hershey, who is up for adoption, enjoyed Yappy Hour very much!

Hershey, who is up for adoption, enjoyed Yappy Hour very much!

Oreo and Judy

Oreo and Judy

Bobbi and the Strays would like to thank the Ramo’s who organized this wonderful event and provided the live entertainment, On 3 restaurant in Glenhead for being a generous host, all the volunteers who came out with dogs, all the wonderful guests who attended and supported our organization and all the people and companies who donated the fantastic raffle prizes! Thank you!

All money raised from the Yappy Hour event will help Bobbi and Strays rescue more homeless dogs and cats in need. Thank you! Woof! Meow!

Walk 4 Paws was a Success!

Tuesday, June 2nd, 2009

Watching the stream of dogs and people walk up the road through Forest Park made me teary eyed. Not even some rainy weather could stop over 250 people from coming out on a Saturday morning to help raise money and awareness for the animals of Bobbi and the Strays. Through the tears (happy tears!) I had to smile as dogs of all breeds, sizes and ages walked together and with their owners in harmony for a common cause. It was a beautiful sight!

We had been planning the 1st annual Walk 4 Paws for many months. Last year we had received word that the building where we house our larger dogs will soon no longer be available to us and we would eventually have to find a new shelter for the dogs we housed there. Unfortunately we were lacking the funds! Our solution? The Walk 4 Paws!

After many months of planning with many people contributing, it was amazing to see it all come together on the morning of May 2nd. The trails of Forest Park were beautiful and the walk was very peaceful. We had some of our own shelter animals come out to participate as well. After the walk, there was live entertainment, raffles, face painting, microchipping, goody bags and other give-a-ways. Also Pawsative Dog Training entertained us by hosting doggie games such as Bobbing for Biscuits!

Thanks to everyone who participated and donated to the Walk 4 Paws, we were able to raise over $30,000!!!! This is incredible and we can’t thank everyone enough! This was truly a community effort and it goes to show what wonderful things can happen when we work together. THANK YOU! This money is a huge contribution to the building fund and brings us one step closer in establishing a permenant no-kill shelter in Queens. This is Bobbi’s dream!

I’d like to give a special thanks to our sponsors: The Petco Foundation, Choice Environmental, Steve Madden, Cloudstar, TD Bank, and Dogswell. Also would like to give a special thank you to everyone who came out and volunteered on the day of the walk. A big,special thank you goes out to Carla and Ronnie for all their hard work, dedication and perserverance in making this walk happen.

We are already looking forward to the 2nd Walk 4 Paws next Spring. We hope to see you there!

Top Fundraiser Dawn Grasso (from the top fundraising Pack Fit4Ever) and Bobbi

Top Fundraiser Dawn Grasso (from the top fundraising Pack "Fit4Ever") and Bobbi

Volunteer Margaret Asencio and Marshall, a loveable dog up for adoption

Volunteer Margaret Asencio and Marshall, a loveable dog up for adoption

Sponsor Spokesdog Elmo with his foster mom, volunteer Susan St John

Sponsor Spokesdog Elmo with his foster mom, volunteer Susan St John

Volunteer Linda Lefferts with Chewbacca (who was adopted from the walk!) and her own dog, Lolly

Volunteer Linda Lefferts with Chewbacca (who was adopted from the walk!) and her own dog, Lolly

The pack crosses Woodhaven Blvd

The pack crosses Woodhaven Blvd

The walkers continue through the park trails

The walkers continue through the park trails

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Ronnie Niles, his puppy Paddy McGee and Park Ranger Andrew DiSalvo

Ronnie Niles, his puppy Paddy McGee and Park Ranger Andrew DiSalvo

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