Mid-July already?! Time to fall in love with an adoptable pet. July 16-17

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — As the days get slightly warmer, the air hangs much heavier for our furry ones. Practicing safety for your pet is essential. It’s challenging to deal with the rising temperatures, but think about what it’s like for your loved ones with fur.

Finding ways to keep them comfortable with mini pools, cooling pads, and sprinklers will make them happy. But what if you could top that off with a cool treat to make it that much better?

Alongside plenty of clean, fresh water, fun, tempting treats not only help keep your pet cool and hydrated – but they can also provide lots of entertainment! With all treats, it’s important not to give too many as sudden diet changes can lead to stomach upsets.

A few ideas:

1. Keep it simple. Get a bowl, fill it three-quarters full with water, and place it in the freezer overnight. Put it beside your pet’s regular water bowl, and as the ice melts, they’ll have a second bowl of cool water to enjoy during the day!

2. Frozen fruit and vegetables. Carrots, watermelon, apples, broth, bananas. They could enjoy these for some time, and also be nutritious.

3. Peanut butter in a favorite play toy. While cold, it could take them some time to work on it. Good for everyone.

4. Tuna ice treats. Tuna with spring water and an ice cube tray. Easy.

5. For those veggie-loving pets. Ice trays with watermelon, kale, and water will keep them happy.

6. Peanut Butter Banana Ice Cream for Dogs Is the Perfect Summer Treat via our friends over at Rover.com.

Peanut Butter Banana Ice Cream for Dogs

Your dog will go bananas for this Frosty Paws alternative!

Ingredients

• 1 banana
• 2 Tbsp peanut butter
• 2 Tbsp plain yogurt (use a non-fat or non-dairy alternative, like coconut milk, if you prefer)

Equipment

• Blender or food processor

Instructions

1. Dice up a ripe banana and freeze for at least four hours.
2. In a food processor, place the frozen banana, peanut butter, and yogurt in the bowl and blitz until smooth.
3. Freeze mixture until solid to serve in scoops, or serve immediately with a sprinkle of dog-friendly cookies or a dollop of fruit (can you say PB&J).

EVENTS HAPPENING

National Adoption Week this week for SICAW.

July 16

· SICAW will be at PetSmart, 1525 Forest Ave., from 2:30 p.m. to 5 p.m.

July 17

· SICAW will be at PetSmart, 1525 Forest Ave., from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m.

From July 11 – 31: Louie’s Legacy participates in Bissell’s EMPTY THE SHELTERS campaign. SELECT DOGS have a reduced adoption fee until July 31. Thanks to the Bissell Pet Foundation’s Empty the Shelters campaign, new families can take home a new member for $50! To adopt this pet, please visit https://www.louieslegacy.org/adopt

Looking for a lovable cat? Here you go…

Looking for a dog training app? Check out Dogo.

Dogo is a mobile app that helps dog parents train their dog from home. The app has evolved greatly over the past five years. Dog parents can teach their dog more than 100 fun tricks, take part in longer training sessions, learn how to socialize their pups with other dogs, and more. Dog parents on the Dogo App are part of an engaged community of other dog parents and trainers, and they have 24-hour support from the Dogo Team. Dog training professionals review videos to give feedback, and there’s even a built-in clicker feature!

HOW TO CONTACT LOCAL RESCUE GROUPS

• Animal Care Centers of NYC; 212-788-4000, nycacc.org; located at 3139 Veterans Road West Adoption hours: Tuesday – Saturday Noon – 5 p.m.
• Angels for Mistreated Animals; amaanimalrescue.org/, by appointment only; (347) 448-5944
• Fur Friends in Need, a 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
• Pitbulls & Addicts; 917-373-7311, www.pitbullsandaddicts.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] or statenislandhopeanimalrescue.org, 800-477-9168.
• Victory for the Voiceless Animal Rescue; 718-442-1625, [email protected], victory4thevoicelessanimalrescue.com

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

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.

ALFRESCO DINING WITH YOUR DOG

· 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 on rules and regulations, visit nycgovparks.org/facilities/dogareas.

BEACHES AND BATHING FACILITIES

Dogs cannot 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 on 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/.