58 LONGISLANDPRESS.COM • DECEMBER 2021
ANIMAL RESCUE STORIES SAVING PETS’ LIVES
BY ALISON MATOS
Staff s at Island’s animal rescues, shelters,
and volunteers oft en work around
the clock to keep animals safe. As 2021
comes to an end, we’re recapping some
of the best rescue stories as told by the
heroes who dedicate themselves to
saving our furry friends.
Our fi rst story begins with a 14-yearold
poodle named Jack. His owner
recently died and Jack was brought to
Twin Animal Hospital in Bay Shore to
be euthanized due to his old age. A vet
tech immediately called Bonnie Rosen
of Melville to assist. As a veteran
rescuer, Bonnie used her networking
abilities to fi nd an amazing family
who already had a 15-year-old poodle
at home. Bonnie made arrangements
for Jack to be introduced to what would
turn out to be his new forever family,
“and within just one week, Jack was
enjoying his beautiful new home and
loving his new forever family,” says
Rosen.
© 2021 ASPCA®. All Rights Reserved.
When Marge Golding of Dix Hills received
a call through the Tender Loving
Cats hotline for help spaying/neutering a
colony of stray cats and kittens, she knew
just what to do. “Together with the feeders
we developed a trapping plan to neuter
the adults. They described their regular
feeding regimen and agreed to withhold
food so the cats would be hungry enough
to go into traps,” says Golding. Traps were
set and vet appointments were secured.
Golding had trouble hiding from the cats,
but the feeders were trusted humans, so
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they off ered to operate the drop trap in
her place. Success! Nine cats from the
colony were neutered and treated for
noted medical issues. The kittens were
fully vetted and are now awaiting their
forever homes. “The moral of this story:
The feeders were cooperative, and we
worked together. If you need rescue help,
be prepared to be part of the solution,”
says Golding.
For local rescuer John Debacker, a day
doesn’t go by when he doesn’t help an
animal in distress. From a raccoon with
a jar stuck on its head to a runaway cat
at JFK airport, Debacker has rescued
them all. When recapping 2021, Debacker
describes his most intense rescue as
the one that involved a cat trapped by a
sewer in the middle of the Grand Central
Parkway. “We had to shut down a major
highway, which required cooperation
from the police,” says Debacker. Upon
initial assessment, the cat was emaciated
and rushed to an emergency hospital
where, sadly, it lived out its fi nal days.
But had it not been for the extraordinary
work of volunteers and law enforcement,
this kitty’s story would have had a vastly
diff erent ending.
Anyone can have a rescue story of their
own. You can be a hero by remembering
to always adopt and never shop. If you
can’t open your home to a pet, consider
donating to your local shelter or rescue,
which typically has online wish lists.
Perhaps better yet, volunteer your time
to help care for the furry creatures that
need us the most.
PRESS PETS
Here are a few heartwarming pet rescue stories from the past year. (Getty Images)
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