The office of Council Member Joann Ariola (D-32) recently completed its first pet supply drive, collecting a substantial amount of dog food from generous constituents.
The donations were given to Zion’s Mission Animal Rescue during the Bark in the Park event in Broad Channel on September 22.
Council Member Ariola represents the neighborhoods of Glendale, Woodhaven, Ozone Park, Howard Beach, Broad Channel, and the western half of the Rockaway Peninsula.
The event signified the end of a successful summer-long pet supply giveaway series for local animal rescues in need. Starting in early June, the council member’s office distributed food, treats, and supplies to local recuses, including MeowSquad in Howard Beach, Noah’s Ark in Rockaway, PuppyKitty NYC, and Bobbi and the Strays in Glendale, and Itty Bitty City Kitties in Rockaway. Before the Bark in the Park event last month, the office gave Zion’s Mission dog food donations at multiple giveaway events.
The pet supply giveaways began after local rescue organizations shared that they were struggling financially to purchase food for the animals in their care. All of the donations came from constituents throughout Ariola’s district, and one constituent, Jack Maurin, donated close to 150 lbs of dog and cat food, divided into 25-lb bags, which were donated to all of the area rescues.
Council Member Ariola told QNS there has been an overwhelming outpouring of support for local shelters. “It’s truly humbling to be able to bring our community together for a great cause like this. I want to thank each and every one of the people who dropped off food and supplies – you’ve all helped to make the life of an animal in need a little bit easier,” Ariola said.
The next drive will take place next summer, but residents are encouraged to donate pet food year-round, especially cat food, to Ariola’s office located at 93-06 101st Ave, Ozone Park. All donations will be given out to rescues in need on a rolling basis.
The end of the council member’s pet-food giveaway event series precedes National Walk Your Dog Week, which takes place from Oct. 1 to Oct. 7. The weeklong event encourages dog owners to walk their furry friends to improve their health outcomes through daily exercise. Animal advocate Colleen Paige founded the week in 2010 to raise awareness about how dog owners’ sedentary lifestyles can affect the health of their pooches.
Lack of exercise can contribute to serious health conditions for dogs, including obesity, arthritis, kidney disease, and a higher risk for heart disease. Dogs not going for daily walks can also experience mental stress from boredom and become more prone to aggression and destructive behavior.
