L&M Publications
Merrick Life • Bellmore Life • Freeport-Baldwin Leader • Wantagh-Seaford Citizen

More than 125 animal advocates held a candlelight vigil in front of the Town of Hempstead Animal Shelter on Friday, March 25. Activists are calling upon the Town of Hempstead to reform the shelter and permit volunteers and rescue workers into the shelter.
   
“It is obvious the people want change,” said Derek Donnelly, executive director for Hope for Hempstead Shelter, a shelter reform advocacy group. “The town insists on not letting its own citizens be involved either in the shelter or participating in government.”
   
Hope for Hempstead Shelter is urging people to e-mail Town of Hempstead Supervisor Kate Murray to demand the town embrace offers of assistance from rescue and animal welfare experts to reform the shelter.
   
Meanwhile, town officials have stated they “are committed to the health, safety and welfare of cats and dogs.” The town also stated that “to streamline the process of providing medical information and individual pet history to interested parties, residents are now asked to formally request detailed information about specific animals via e-mail or regular mail. By responding to research-intensive inquires in writing, the shelter staff can more easily provide timely and accurate information to residents, while remaining focused on the care of shelter animals.”
   
Mr. Donnelly countered that “The town continues to stall, shutting out rescuers who are a life lines for these animals.”

Citizen photo by Paul Laursen

By Laura Schofer

Laura Schofer, staff writer for L&M Publications, has been recognized with several awards for many of her feature pieces published in Bellmore and Merrick Life, The Citizen and The Leader.