At the Southampton Animal Shelter Foundation—one of Long Island’s leading no-kill shelters—it’s all about pet advocacy and adoption. We sat down with executive director Anthony Sabia for an inside look at the organization.
Executive director Anthony Sabia
Talk to us about your connection with animals and what initially inspired you to join the Southampton Animal Shelter Foundation.
When my daughter Giorgia was an infant, I would stroll her around Mosholu Avenue in the Bronx all the time. She would go absolutely wild whenever she saw a dog, which I got a real kick out of. It got to the point that ‘dog’ became her first word, even before saying mama or dada. She is 27 years old now and has been a lifetime advocate of animals and wants to start an animal shelter one day. I guess you can say Giorgia’s lifetime passion for animals has rubbed off on me in a positive way. We are also owners of multiple rescue dogs for the last 20 years, witnessing firsthand the impact that a strong animal shelter has on its community. I was inspired by my experience leading large-scale shelters for homeless youth in New York City. While there is simply no comparison between a homeless young person and a homeless animal, I nevertheless believe that the leadership principles, values and some of the logistical methods I learned over the years can be applicable to the operation of an animal shelter.
How would you describe the foundation’s goal for the Hamptons community and their pets?
The Southampton Animal Shelter Foundation’s goal is to create a safe haven for every companion animal that does not have a home and needs our care. We strive to provide unconditional love for our animals in a safe, healthy environment where they can flourish and eventually be adopted to a forever home. We endeavor to mitigate the population growth of animals in Southampton, particularly feral cats, with our clinic-based spay/neuter program.
The foundation is constantly engaged in animal education, advocacy and adoption.What kinds of animals are available for adoption, and what does the process look like?
The Southampton Animal Shelter Foundation cares for a multitude of the most beautiful animals you will ever lay eyes upon, including dogs and puppies, mixed breeds and pure breeds, as well as cats and kittens of all ages and sizes. We also house rabbits and guinea pigs, and right now, you can even adopt a majestic rooster we call Ronald that lets us know each day when starting and quitting time is for staff. If you are interested in adopting a pet, you can scroll on our website that offers a picture and a compelling narrative that gives the potential adopter both a visual and insight into the animal’s journey as well as tendencies. Anyone can apply for a companion animal online, or you can come directly to our shelter.
The Southampton Animal Shelter Foundation offers adoption and foster services for our furry friends, as well as an array of programs including humane education, Cat Pawsitive, Feral Advo-Cats program, vet resources and more.
Give us an inside look at the foundation. On a day-to-day basis, what can we find the staff working on?
SASF staff are in perpetual motion as the care of our animals requires meticulous attention to detail from morning to night. Maintaining a sanitary facility is of paramount performance, so we make sure that our kennels are cleaned and sanitized daily. Both our dog and cat attendants provide nutritional meals several times daily, plus treats to ensure our animals are thriving. Kennel staff are very observant of our dogs’ behavioral tendencies and communicate regularly with our training and veterinarian department to make sure our dogs are contented and healthy and can make a great companion to a potential adopter. Our training team works diligently to ensure all our animals are understood and set up for success by developing detailed one-on-one training plans through enrichment and play groups.
What are some ways East End residents can get involved with the foundation?
The SASF cherishes our volunteers and counts on their kindness, expertise and time to assist us in the day-to-day support of our animals. We utilize volunteers to help walk our dogs, socialize with our cats and kittens, assist us with laundering our animal bedding, foster animals and help us maintain the facility. If anyone is interested in volunteering, please reach out to our volunteer coordinator, Kristen Hyland, at 631.728.7387, ext. 237.
One of the programs I am very excited to promote is the ‘Got Love’ campaign. This is a volunteer initiative aimed at spreading awareness about the vital work carried out by this community no-kill animal shelter. By promoting this cause, the campaign seeks to garner support from compassionate individuals and organizations who can become ‘Animal Ambassadors,’ advocating for the adoption of shelter and rescue pets. With the support of community volunteers, the ‘Got Love’ campaign aims to make a meaningful impact in the lives of these animals and provide them the love and care they deserve. 102 Old Riverhead Road W, Hampton Bays,southamptonanimalshelter.com
