STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Consider introducing a pet into your life. It’s an exciting and life-changing decision that shouldn’t be made half-heartedly. There is much to think about. Is your home safe and suitable for a pet? Can you afford to look after an animal? How much time can you devote to your new four-legged friend?
Will you buy or adopt a pet?
You are saving a life: Giving a dog, cat, horse, or any other animal a second shot at life is what you’re doing. Some may have experienced abuse, abandonment, or been left to fend for themselves on the streets in a previous life. Adopting a dog provides it with a loving and secure home where it can regain its happiness and health.
Preventing overpopulation: You can also discover that the pet you fall in love with after spending time at a shelter differs from what you had initially intended.
Support the community: It’s always a good idea to give to a local organization, and these shelters offer helpful services.
Breeding can be an unsafe environment: In puppy farms, many dogs are kept in inhumane conditions and compelled to reproduce as frequently as possible. Avoiding these organizations and promoting animal welfare are two benefits of adopting.
Meet Logan
Meet Logan – The Gentle Hug-Seeker with a Heart of Gold
Logan is a tender-hearted boy with a playful streak and a soul as deep as his beautiful eyes. He may start off a little shy, but give him a moment to settle in and you’ll see his true colors shine—curious, joyful, and full of life. He loves to tumble and wrestle with his foster brother Bub, turning every day into a mini adventure. He’s the kind of cat who will sit beside you, gaze up with those big soulful eyes, and silently whisper: “Will you choose me?”
Logan was born on February 7, 2022, is up to date with vaccines, neutered, negative for FIV / FELV, and microchipped. He can be seen in his foster home by appointment. (Courtesy/SICAW)
• SICAW will be at PetSmart Saturday, December 13, 2025 from 2:30 to 5p.m. SICAW will be at Pet Smart Sunday, December 14, 2025 from 12 noon to 3pm. For more information contact SICAW at 718.948.5623, Mon-Sat 9am-8pm. (Courtesy/SICAW)SICAW
You might fall in love: With thousands of shelters and so many pets who want to be cared for, there’s a good chance you’ll find the one that fits into your family just right.
The advantages of an older adoptable: Adolescent or adult dogs, not puppies, make up most of the dogs in shelters. This implies that your life will be much easier when you bring your dog home, as they are likely already housetrained or know a few basic commands.
Special Event
Staten Island, NY – Get ready for a heartwarming kickoff to the holiday season at Louie’s Legacy Animal Rescue’s Home for the Holidays MEGA Adoption Event, taking place on Saturday, December 13th from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM at Paradise Island (225 Ellis St, Staten Island, NY 10307)
This festive adoption event will bring together more than 100 adoptable dogs and cats, along with animal lovers from across the region, for a joyful day of connection, community, and second chances. Whether you’re hoping to adopt, interested in fostering, or simply excited to meet some incredible rescue pets, this family-friendly holiday gathering has something for everyone. (Courtesy/Louie’s Legacy)Louie’s LegacyAdoption events
If you want to adopt, please remember that there are loving senior and disabled pets who need your care and attention as well. If you cannot adopt, please consider fostering or sharing the information with someone who could use companionship.
Dec 13
Louie’s Legacy will be at Paradise Island, 225 Ellis St, Staten Island, NY 10307, from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.SICAW will be at PetSmart, 1525 Forest Ave., from 2:30 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Dec 14
SICAW will be at PetSmart, 1525 Forest Ave., from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m.Staten Island Animal Hope Rescue will be at Petco, located at 165 Bricktown Way, from 3 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Animal Care Centers of New York City is open for adoptions of dogs, cats, guinea pigs, and rabbits at 3139 Veterans Road West on Monday and Tuesday, from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m., and Wednesday through Sunday, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
For general information on adopting from ACC and other community-based programs through ACC, go to www.nycacc.org.
You can also visit ACC to register and purchase a NYC dog license from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.
Meet Millie
Come meet me and 100+ of my adoptable friends at Louie’s Legacy Animal Rescue’s MEGA adoption event, Home for the Holidays! Saturday, December 13th, 2025 at Paradise Island in Staten Island from 11am – 3pm!
Between Dec, 1st-15th, part of my adoption fee is sponsored! Thanks to the Bissell Pet Foundation’s Empty the Shelters campaign, my new family can take me home for $25!
Meet Millie! This petite 3-year-old beauty weighs just 7 pounds but has a huge heart full of love to give. Millie is a gentle, affectionate soul who’s been through a lot—she was sadly found abandoned on the street after recently giving birth, though none of her kittens were found. Despite her rough start, she’s ready to open her heart to a family who will love her forever.
Millie can be a little shy at first and appreciates a calm space where she can decompress and have cozy spots to hide. Once she feels safe, though, she’ll come out to greet you with the sweetest little purrs and head bumps. When it comes to affection, Millie is a total purring machine! She loves gentle pets and quiet companionship far more than chasing toys—she’s all about love and snuggles.
If you’re looking for a tender, loving cat who just wants a peaceful home and a kind heart to trust, Millie could be the one for you.
Millie is currently being fostered in New Jersey. Her adoption fee is $200.
Kittens are only adopted in pairs or to homes with other friendly, social pets. They are very social by nature and need to be with other pets for their socialization.
Millie’s adoption fee is $200; to adopt a pair of kittens, the combined adoption fee is $325. To adopt this pet, please visit https://www.louieslegacy.org/adopt (Courtesy/Louie’sLegacy)Louie’sLegacyHiking trailsDog-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 the 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 ball field
· Ida Court Playground, dog run, Ida Court between N. Railroad Street and Drumgoole Road East
· Lemon Creek Park, off-leash area, the bottom of Seguine Avenue at Johnston Terrace, just below the 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: Dogs are permitted on the sand only 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.
Dogs cannot enter any bathing facilities, including those at 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.
Meet Lana
Meet Luna,
Lana forms deep connections with her people and shows her love in the coziest ways — her absolute favorite place to be is tucked right at your side. If you sit down, she’ll gently wiggle over, settle in and stay there for hours, perfectly content while she’s getting pets and feeling close to you. Her calm, loving presence makes her the perfect partner for slow mornings, quiet evenings and weekend movie marathons. When she’s not busy being the world’s best cuddle buddy, Lana loves to station herself at her favorite window perch. From there, she watches the lively city streets unfold below her — there’s something about that view that completely relaxes her. Her window perch is her favorite nap spot. Lana is also wonderfully bright and eager to learn. With tasty treats and enthusiastic praise, she picks up new tricks quickly and loves the challenge.
More information: Visit ASPCA.org/Adopt to learn more and submit an application. (Courtesy/ASPCA)ASPCAPet Poison Helpline
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/.