In Emergency, Town to Take Pets

Huntington pets will have a safe haven if Hurricane Irene forces their owners into shelters.

That's the word from officials at the Town of Huntington Animal Shelter in East Northport as Long Island residents brace for a possible strike from the large storm currently moving north along the Eastern U.S. seaboard.

"If you are going into a shelter that doesn't accept pets, then we will take your animal here," said John Dowling, a town animal control officer.

Dowling said the American Society For the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals plans to open shelters Suffolk Community College in Riverhead and at the Brentwood Recreation Center at 99 3rd Avenue. The Brentwood shelter will accept owners and pets, according to Dowling. 

The Huntington shelter should be used as a last resort in case people with pets must evacuate homes because of flooding or other emergency circumstances.

"If someone's going to someone's house and they don't want their dog to come along, that's not the same thing as being evacuated from their house and going into a shelter that doesn't accept pets," said Dowling.

Dowling said the shelter, located at 106 Deposit Rd., East Northport, will be manned Saturday and Sunday. Regular operating hours are from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. both day, but in case of emergency the hours could be extended, according to Dowling.

Dowling said the shelter is equipped mainly for dogs and cats, but small pets in containers would be accepted in most cases.

All centers, if opened, are free of charge.