Some comfort while waiting for homes

Hempstead Town Animal Shelter volunteers get new beds for pups

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Thanks to the efforts of a group of Hempstead Town Animal Shelter volunteers and the generosity of some dog lovers near and far, nearly 50 of the adoptable hounds now sleep on comfortable new beds made of aluminum piping and replaceable vinyl fabric.

Crissy DeAngelo is one of about 125 volunteers at the Wantagh-based Shelter. She and a few others saw the need for new beds earlier this year during their regular visits to interact with and walk the pups.

Some of the dogs who still slept on the older wooden platform beds had chewed through the frame and fabric.

The volunteers posted about it on their social media pages and donations began pouring in. A woman in Seattle donated 3 beds, including an extra large one. Volunteer Liz Seymour of Farmingdale purchased four beds. The shelter ended up with nearly 50 of the new orthopedic Kuranda beds, which range in price from $94-$144 depending on the size.

Several of the volunteers spent a recent Saturday assembling the new beds and transporting them to the shelter. In some cases, the benefactor’s name was handwritten on the donated bed, which were ordered online and shipped there for assembly.

The 150 – 200 animals at the shelter are looking for homes. They’re at the facility unless or until they can be adopted.

“They’re in those “cages” a long time,” Deangelo said. “The least we can do is give them some comfort . . . We try to get them out as much as we can.

Hempstead Town supervisor Laura Gillen said the Town’s hardworking volunteers are the lifeblood of the animal shelter — one of the largest municipal shelters in the Country.

“Their clear dedication and commitment to the welfare of our furry friends is truly commendable,” she said.

Town of Hempstead staff coordinates and trains the volunteers.