Adoptable pets looking for a loving home. March 12-13

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Adopting a pet is not only beneficial to the animal you save, but it also is good for your little ones.

Children learn responsibility by caring for a pet, and it benefits their social and emotional behavior.

The unconditional love that comes from adopting an animal goes further than you know. Not only is it good for them; it’s good for the entire family.

Spring Dangers

It might not look so, but spring upon us. Let’s wish for less snow.

Isn’t it wonderful to finally see all the leaves and color returning to the trees and plants in our backyards?

But be aware, there could be dangers lurking in and around the garden that could prove fatal to pets.

Knowing what to look out for can help you keep your pets safe from harm.

When we start preparing, some things to think about:

Garden dangers

Snail and slug baits — This is a relatively common form of poisoning seen in pets, and is both distressing and dangerous. Dogs especially can be attracted to baits in pellet form as they look similar to dry dog food.

Poisonous plants — Many indoor and outdoor plants are toxic, including lilies, castor bean and castor oil plants, and Yesterday-Today-Tomorrow plants (especially the berries).

Mulch — Although cocoa mulch is generally not available, it is possible that some small domestic chocolate manufacturers could sell cocoa shell mulch as a waste product from their manufacturing process. If so, this product is highly toxic to dogs.

Fertilizers — Fertilizers may be in liquid, granular or solid form and can include additives such as herbicides, insecticides, fungicides, iron, zinc and copper. Certain fertilizers may also contain bacterial or fungal toxins which can have serious side effects if ingested.

Insecticides — Insecticides are readily available for home and commercial use and are highly toxic to pets.

OUR KITTY OF THE WEEK

We are always grateful to the volunteers who organize pet events every week in and around the borough, send out announcements, hold fundraisers, help with supplies, clean cages, feed animals, make sure the pets’ medical needs are attended to and so much more. All of this is done without pay, all for love, and behind the scenes.

GIFTS FOR ANIMAL LOVERS

Stellar Villa is a New York City-based artist who recently raised over $11,500 for pet shelters after she single-handedly created 1,252 custom pieces of art of people’s pets over the course of 21 days. Now, she is working to create ongoing partnerships with local animal shelters to continue raising money. If you’re looking for a gift for a dog lover, check out Stellar’s work.

EVERY WEDNESDAY

Flagship’s Dog Club is temporarily suspended due to the coronavirus outbreak.

Do you love dogs? Do you love beer? Then fetch a cold one at the Flagship Brewing Co.’s Dog Club. The club will meet every Wednesday from 5 p.m. to 11 p.,m. in the Flagship Brewery taproom, 40 Minthorne St., off Bay Street.

The Flagship’s Dog Club is for that special breed of dog and beer lovers who can bring their (well-behaved) pups to the meetings. Once a month, there will be a guest speaker to talk about their own specialty or knowledge regarding the welfare of their treasured, loyal friends.

For more information, visit https://www.restaurantji.com/ny/staten-island/the-flagship-brewing-company-/ or call 718-448-5284.

ONGOING

1. Low-cost or free spay and neuter: The ASPCA’s free and low-cost mobile spay and neuter van travels throughout the five boroughs in every neighborhood.

Low-income pet owners in the five boroughs with proof of public assistance, such as welfare, Medicaid, Medicare, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), disability, food stamps, TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families), or public housing qualify for free spay/neuter services for their cat or dog. If you have a pit bull, pit-bull mix, or certain large breed dogs, it’s also free.

For exact times the van will be in your area as well as pre-visit instructions, visit aspca.org/pet-care/spayneuter, or call 877-SPAY-NYC (877-772-9692).

2. Apply for a dog license. Save time and postage by applying online. For an application or more information, visit nyc.gov/doglicense. View the flyer in the gallery above.

HOW TO CONTACT LOCAL RESCUE GROUPS

• Animal Care Centers of NYC; 212-788-4000, nycacc.org; located at 3139 Veterans Road West. Adoption hours: Monday-Friday, noon to 8 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Fur Friends in Need, New Jersey-based group with Staten Island members and adoption events on the Island; 732-829-1426, [email protected], furfriendsinneed.com.
• Happy Homes Animal Rescue, New Jersey-based group with Staten Island adoption events; 914-393-8292, [email protected], [email protected]; happyhomesinc.org.
• Louie’s Legacy; 646-397-LLAR (5527), [email protected], louieslegacy.org.
• Mama Chris Animal Rescue Inc.; 347-983-2240, [email protected], mamachrisrescue.org.
• New York Bully Crew; 844-633-NYBC (6922), [email protected], nybullycrew.org.
• P.L.U.T.O. Rescue of Staten Island; 718-227-0553, [email protected], plutorescue.org. Please note: P.L.U.T.O. is working with and promoting the adoption of animals from the Associated Humane Society in Newark, N.J.
• Staten Island Council for Animal Welfare (SICAW); 718-948-5623, sicawsaves.org.
• Staten Island Hope Animal Rescue; [email protected], statenislandhopeanimalrescue.org, 800-477-9168.
• Victory for the Voiceless Animal Rescue; 718-442-1625, [email protected], victory4thevoicelessanimalrescue.com

ALFRESCO DINING WITH YOUR DOG

Alfresco dining is temporarily suspended due to the coronavirus outbreak.

· Angelina’s Ristorante, 339 Ellis St., Tottenville, 718-227-2900

· The Burrito Bar, 585 Forest Ave., West Brighton, 718-815-9200

· Ciro Pizza Café, 862 Huguenot Ave., Huguenot, 718-605-0620

· Killmeyer’s Old Bavaria Inn, 4254 Arthur Kill Rd., Charleston, 718-984-1202

· Shake Shack, Staten Island Mall, 2655 Richmond Ave., New Springville, 929-529-0513

· Silver Lake Golf Course, 915 Victory Blvd., Silver Lake, 718-442-4653

Call ahead for reservations. For more information, check out NYC Dogs in restaurant rules.

DOG-FRIENDLY PARKS

· Allison Park, off-leash area, the field at the end of the trail bordered by Prospect Avenue, Sailors Snug Harbor Cemetery, and the pond.

· Amundsen Trail, off-leash area, between Amboy Road and Hylan Boulevard.

· Arthur Von Briesen Park, off-leash area, lawn area, mid-park on the right side.

· Bloomingdale Park, dog run, Maguire Avenue behind athletic fields closer to Ramona Avenue.

· Clove Lakes Park, off-leash area, the open field above picnic area near Royal Oak Road, and Rice Avenue.

· Clove Lakes Park, off-leash area, Brookside Avenue between Alpine Court and Kingsley Avenue (lawn area).

· Clove’s Tail Park, off-leash area, lawn area, corner of Victory Boulevard and Little Clove Road.

· Conference House Park, dog run, Clermont Avenue, and Massachusetts Street.

· Cozzens Woods Park, off-leash area, Page Avenue between Hylan Boulevard and Amboy Road.

· Crescent Beach Park, off-leash area, Tennyson Drive, and Glover Avenue. Located in the meadow area leading to the beach.

· Evergreen Park, off-leash area, Greaves Avenue, and Evergreen Street.

· Father Macris Park, off-leash area, lawn beyond ballfield.

· Ida Court Playground, dog run, Ida Court between N. Railroad Street & Drumgoole Road East

· Lemon Creek Park, off-leash area, the bottom of Seguine Avenue at Johnston Terrace; just below playground.

· Siedenburg Park, off-leash area, Greaves Avenue, and Evergreen Street

· Silver Lake Park, dog run, Victory Boulevard below the pavilion, across from the Parkview Apartments.

· South Beach Park, off-leash area. Note: On sand after Labor Day and before Memorial Day.

· Willowbrook Park, off-leash area, Archery Range Field.

· Wolfe’s Pond Park, dog run, to the left of Cornelia Avenue.

For more information with rules and regulations, visit nycgovparks.org/facilities/dogareas.

BEACHES AND BATHING FACILITIES

Dogs are not allowed to enter any bathing facilities, including New York City beaches. However, from Oct. 1 through May 1, leashed dogs are allowed on the sand and boardwalk at Midland Beach and South Beach.

Leashed dogs are allowed on the boardwalk/promenade at Midland Beach and South Beach.

For more information with rules and regulations, visit nycgovparks.org/facilities/dogareas.

PET POISON HELPLINES

If you think your pet may have ingested a potentially poisonous substance, contact the Pet Poison hotline at 855-764-7661 or petpoisonhelpline.com, or contact the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at 888-426-4435 or aspca.org.

As the seasons change, keep in mind the plants that are poisonous to animals: https://www.rover.com/blog/poisonous-plants/

TO REPORT ANIMAL CRUELTY

To report an incident of animal abuse, call Crime Stoppers at 800-577-TIPS or visit www.nypdcrimestoppers.com.

ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION

To contact an environmental conservation police officer or report suspected violations, contact the DEC Law Enforcement Dispatch Center at 844-DEC-ECOS (844-332-3267) or dec.ny.gov/.