Heralding in the crisp days of the fall season, Pet Vet of Massapequa held its fourth annual Barktoberfest on Saturday, Oct. 17. Grim reapers, pir
ates, fairies, skunks, dinosaurs and devils descended upon the animal hospital grounds keeping their human companions in tow and on their best behavior. Patrons bid on raffle items and enjoyed delicious food while listening to the rocking sounds of DJ Marty Vegas.
“We have held Barktoberfest every year as a fundraiser for various nonprofit groups. This year we are doing it for the Grey Muzzle group, a nonprofit organization for older dogs in need,” said Dr. Ned Horowitz, the owner of Pet Vet, a full service hospital with state of the art equipment. “We are also raising money for LIWAR (Long Island Wildlife and Animal Rescue), a nonprofit that helps wildlife and rescued animals in need. Last year we raised money for both Nassau and Suffolk Coun
ty for bulletproof vests for their canine units.”
Horowitz and his staff received citations from both Nassau and Suffolk County executives along with the police department for their generous donation to the police dogs to protect them in their dangerous line of work. Each year, various groups approach Pet Vet for support with their organizations. The five vets who work at Pet Vet get together and select one recipient each year.
LIWAR has been in existence at Pet Vet for the past 10 years and performs a valuable service to the community in that it is one of the few organizations that takes in and treats wildlife. Horowitz, who is a licensed wildlife rehabilitator, employs 12 licensed rehabilitators at Pet Vet, who do this on a volunteer basis. Bay Constables, police and community members often come in with injured wildlife such as seagulls, swans and squirrels, and the rehabilitator will take in the animal and treat it with proper medical care.
“Once the animals have been specifically treated medically we have wildlife rehabilitators who treat the animals at home and then get them back to where they originate,” said Horowitz. “When people bring in animals, we have them fill out forms and if they want to give a donation we appreciate that. We also have their address so we know where to release the animal if it can be released.”
Not only does Barktoberfest raise money for nonprofits, it also showcases other adoption organizations as well such as the Town of Oyster Bay animal shelter and Last Hope Animal Rescue, which was there with other dogs looking for their forever home.
“While many of our dogs are in and out within a week or two, we have had many long-timers throughout the years who have been with us for several months to a year or so,” said Karen Markowitz, the off-site coordinator at Last Hope. “We have rescued many dogs from local municipal shelters and out of state who were by no means quick and easy adoptions. They stay with us until they find a home and if they don’t find a home, they live out their lives with us. We are their family.”
Markowitz added that Last Hope partners with the Town of Hempstead and has rescued and found homes for countless dogs from there over the years.
“We pull plenty of dogs from the Town of Brookhaven and the Town of Babylon as well,” she said.
Linda Leonardo of Massapequa Park was holding her two chihuahuas, Duke the Dinosaur and Luigi the Devil, who came from the Town of Oyster Bay shelter.
“This is the first time I have been to this and I am happy to see the Town of Oyster Bay Shelter here,” she said. “I love this event, it is so much fun.”
Holding Hercules was Angelica Clark, who had her face painted at the event. Her mother Andy, is a groomer at Pet Vet.
“I groom dogs, cats, kittens and puppies, Wednesday to Thursday,” she said. “We do a lot of creative things with our grooming and we also take care of other dogs and cats that other groomers may not be able to handle and can do more of a one-on-one treatment with them.”
Raffle items were all donated and guests had some fabulous items to bid on including a paddle board valued at $1,000, a $300 iPad, dog beds, a birthday party for 12 at a martial arts studio, wine baskets, massages, dinners at local restaurants and many more terrific items.
The four-hour event was a fun family gathering for a great cause bringing animals—many of them rescued—and their owners together to help other animals in need.
Pet Vet is open seven days a week and is located at 5330 Merrick Rd., Massapequa. For more information, call 516-797-8387 or visit www.mpetvet.vetstreet.com.
