ANIMAL CONTROL

NFAWL has been operating the Southold Animal Shelter since 1980. It is one of only a few Animal Shelters in the United States that provides Animal Control. To accomplish this function, the NFAWL houses lost and homeless animals, keeps current records on all animals in the community reported as lost or found or for adoption and assists in reuniting lost pets with their owners and finding homes for homeless animals.

During the period from 1997 thru 2005, the NFAWL was successful in adopting or returning to owners an astounding 95.4% of the animals received as compared to a nationwide average of 38% for all animal control organizations as reported by the ASPCA.

The NFAWL also responds to complaints about animals misbehaving or being mistreated, and works to investigate and resolve problems.

ANIMAL SHELTER

While at the shelter all animals are provided with shelter, food, grooming, exercise and medical treatment. NFAWL operates a NO KILL shelter and euthanizes animals only on rare occasions that are usually connected to the health of the animal. While at the shelter, all animals are vaccinated, tested AND TREATED for Heartworm and for FIV/FELV, wormed, spayed and neutered and MICROCHIPPED.

COMMUNITY EDUCATION

NFAWL assists and educates animals owners to better care for and enjoy their pets. They provide after placement assistance to help the families thru the period of adjustment following placement of a new pet in a home.

Additionally, the NFAWL is proactive in providing a HUMANE EDUCATION program to interested organizations and schools. Trained volunteers are available to present a multi media program that assist children and adults in understanding the major issues involved in animal ownership and the humane treatment of animals.

PET THERAPY

Select volunteers and staff from the NFAWL help to put a smile on the faces of the elderly, homeless and children by taking shelter pets to nursing homes and care facilities on a weekly basis and to homeless facilities and to schools upon requested.

NFAWL has also worked closely with rest homes and care facilities on the North Fork to permanently place therapy pets with these organizations. This serves the dual purpose of providing a home for an older, less adoptable pet while providing around the clock therapy for the elderly.

GUARDIAN ANGEL FUND

Several years ago a fund was created at the NFAWL to help offset the cost of extraordinary care of animals at the shelter. For example, contributions to this fund have been used in the past to help prolong the life of a German Shepherd that had a degenerative neurological disease and to pay for the amputation of the leg of a kitten that had been severely injured in an accident in a barn. This fund is also used to pay for the rising cost of heartworm treatment. All animals effected with this disease are treated and cured prior to adoption and placement.

FREE CLINICS

NFAWL in partnership with S.A.V.E.S., Inc, provides free spaying and neutering clinics and encourages people with pets that are not altered to take advantage of this free community service.

SPAYING AND NEUTERING ASSISTANCE

Low cost or free certificates for spaying and neutering pets can be obtained at the Southold Shelter for those who cannot afford the burden of this expense.

FERAL AND STRAY CAT FEEDING

NFAWL supports numerous individuals that are feeding feral and stray cat colonies throughout the North Fork and adjoining areas. Food is provided at a discounted price to many of these individuals and is given free to feeders that do not have the funds to purchase the food.

LOW COST MICRO CHIPPING CLINIC

The NFAWL recognizes the value of having a pet micro chipped for quick identification should they stray from home. All stray and lost animals that arrived at the shelter are immediately checked for a micro chip. All animals placed by NFAWL are micro chipped prior to leaving the shelter. As an additional service to the community NFAWL is now hosting low cost micro chipping clinics to help increase the number of animals that are chipped and to help raise the awareness of the community of the need for this service.

MEMBER OF MAYOR’S ALLIANCE FOR ANIMALS

NFAWL has joined forces with 130 rescue organizations throughout the NY metro area who are working together to promote cat and dog adoption and spay and neuter programs with the objective of making the NY Metro area a NO KILL zone.