‘Paws4Survival’ Combats Animal Cruelty
/By Janee Law
jlaw@longislandergroup.com
Andrea Herrick, of Huntington, is pictured with Lacie.
The Paws4Survival Rescue has been dedicated to rescuing and rehabilitating street dogs in Puerto Rico since its inception in October 2015.
Members of the organization ventured to Puerto Rico in December 2016 and rescued 18 dogs — 10 of them puppies — and three cats.
Fundraising coordinator and volunteer, Andrea Herrick, 60, of Huntington, said that during that mission the group saw a colony of about 30 cats, which prompted their next mission, “The Beanie Mission.”
On Monday, the team is set to return to Puerto Rico for five days to spay, neuter and release the cats, and possibly bring those that are friendly to a forever home. Paws4Survival typically finds foster homes in the Boston area and across Long Island.
Herrick has volunteered with Paws4Survival for one year, but she has also volunteered with other groups in the past. Her efforts began after her Yorkie, Opie James, died five years ago.
“In his memory, I decided to dedicate my life to rescue work,” Herrick said. Her efforts include fundraising, transport, fostering and marketing.
Since she’s been with Paws4Survival, Herrick said, one memory that stands out includes the rescue of a dog named Lorenzo El Magnifico during the mission last December.
“He was laying on the side of the road and we thought he was dead, but coincidentally he was laying right next to the animal control,” Herrick said. “There was no hair on his body, he had scabs all over and we picked him up, took care of him and now he is in foster care. It’s been about 10 weeks and he looks like a totally different dog.”
Lorznzo is currently in foster care in Puerto Rico.
Herrick has known Paws4Survival Vice President Meryl Alexander for five years through other organizations. They’ve both done volunteer work in Puerto Rico during that time.
“Being there and experiencing it first hand, they don’t have the resources, they don’t have the rescues,” Alexander, of Rockville Center, said. She added that there are about 250,000 strays in Puerto Rico. “To see these dogs on the street and they’re suffering I decided to devote my time. This is my passion to rescue dogs from Puerto Rico.”
Herrick added, “Seeing the devastation, the horrors on the street was very sad but it made me want to do more.”
Paws4Survival is also working on an upcoming fundraiser, “No Fleas Flea Market.” It’s slated to be held at Pawfect Pet Den in Greenlawn on April 23. The fundraiser was also held last year and raised $2,000, according to Herrick.
Another event, “Brunch With A Bunch of Pup Dates,” is slated for Oct. 1 at the Huntington Country Club.
For more info, visit Paws4survival.com.
