More than music and fine dining filled Bond Street for the Summer Promenade Series this past Thursday. As Gathering Time performed and guests enjoyed dinner specials, two animal rescue groups, Long Island Dog Parents and Yorkie 911 Rescue, introduced pets looking for a home to the community.
In fact, the rescue groups were so happy with the results at the outdoor café, sponsored by the Great Neck Plaza Business Improvement District (BID) and the Village of Great Neck Plaza, that they not only plan to return for the remaining summer promenades, but for the October Street Festival as well.
“Anyone who wants a dog should look to rescue animals first, even if they want a breed,” said Sherry Steinlin, spokesperson of Long Island Dog Parents, a group devoted to improving the lives of pooches and their owners by providing up-to-date information about everything from dog-friendly beaches and parks to food recipes and advice. “There are a large number of purebred dogs available for adoption and Long Island Dog Parents will help people find reputable rescue groups.”
According to Steinlin, Long Island Dog Parents works with many dog rescue groups, including Yorkie 911 Rescue, which finds homes for Yorkies and other small breeds. During the promenade event, the group took at least one application for the adoption of a pup named Maximillian. “And a lot of people expressed interest in the others,” said Heidi Walker, president of Yorkie 911. “I believe I’ll get more applications.”
Peter Andreasian, a broker at Exit Realty Universal and a director of the Great Neck Plaza BID, invited the rescuers to attend the promenade and provided a storefront at 5 Bond St. so they could introduce pets seeking homes to the crowd.
Peter and his wife, Roxana Andreasian, are concerned about animal abuse and would like to eliminate the existence of puppy mills. Roxana was very happy with the event and said, “It’s all about the dogs and finding them homes.”
Long Island Dog Parents will bring different dogs this week. In August, Adopt a Boxer Rescue will be joining Steinlin at the promenade on Middle Neck Road.
For more information about Long Island Dog Parents, visit www.longislanddogparents.com and www.facebook.com/groups/longislanddogparents. Visit Yorkie 911 Rescue at www.yorkie911rescue.com.
