With kids begging parents for dogs this holiday season, now is an excellent time to add a furry member to the family. Special Needs Animal Rescue and Rehabilitation Northeast (SNARR), a Westchester-based organization, helps potential pet owners find rescue dogs. Courtney Bellew, founder of SNARR Northeast, explains, “All of our dogs are fully vetted, and because they’re coming from foster homes, we know their personalities, so we’re really good at matching up families with the right dog.”
While SNARR helps up to 600 dogs a year, and will rescue any dog it can, the organization focuses on finding homes for dogs that are often overlooked, including those that need surgery, have a birth defect, cancer, or are paralyzed.
Looking for a shorter-term commitment? SNARR is a foster-based organization that always needs people willing to take a dog into their home. Says Bellew: “Fostering literally saves lives. If I know I have a foster home waiting, I’ll say, ‘Okay, I’ll take that extra dog.’”
SNARR recently found a location for a shelter space in Brewster to help more dogs, which will offer affordable spay and neuter servies, and programs to provide local special-needs’ adults and children with access to dogs. The organization accepts donations through its P.O. box or website (snarrnortheast.org/donate).
