Merrick business uses fall fest to raise money for animal shelter

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Pet owners flocked by the dozens to the Serengeti Design Studios booth at the Merrick Fall Festival and Street Fair, hosted by the Merrick Chamber of Commerce on the weekend of Sept. 8.

For the third consecutive year, Femy Aziz, the studio’s owner, took photos of guests to raise money for Wantagh’s Last Hope Animal Rescue, collecting $500 over the course of the weekend.

“It just kind of grows every year,” Aziz said, adding that she has partnered with several different charity organizations before being introduced to Last Hope by Ira Reiter, the fair’s co-chair and one of the organization’s volunteers.

“It was such a great success and such a great experience,” Aziz said. Last Hope also held a raffle, sold pet supplies and allowed guests to meet some of the animals up for adoption. Each year, at least one animal finds a new home thanks to the festival, said Aziz.

“You get to see all different kinds of animals,” she said. “[From] the tiniest ones that fit in the palm of your hand to big ones that look like a horse.” She continued to say that she was impressed by some pet owners whose dogs were properly groomed for a photo at the fair.

Aziz, also a Chamber of Commerce board member, said that she looks forward to the fair each year as it introduces local residents to the small businesses and local organizations in Merrick.

“Some people drive by here 10 times a day, but they don’t notice anything,” she said. “[The fair] gets people to realize that shopping local is important and revitalizes our main streets.”