On October 19, 2000, Suffolk County Legislator Jon Cooper (D-Huntington) held a press conference to announce the Legislature's unanimous approval of a resolution he sponsored that will create a task force to develop a "Disaster Animal Rescue Plan" for Suffolk County. The plan will be implemented during emergencies such as hurricanes, fires or other natural disasters and will muster resources to shelter and care for pets and other domesticated animals.
Cooper said there is a definite need for developing a rescue plan that addresses the needs of the pet population in Suffolk should there be a natural disaster. "Very often, people hesitate and even refuse to leave their homes in times of emergency if they have no safe place to keep their pets," Cooper stated this week. "Pets play a critical role in our families. They should be protected like a member of the family in times of emergency. Adequate provisions do not currently exist to accommodate pets and other domesticated animals at emergency shelters in Suffolk, so we need to draft a plan to address this problem."
The press conference was held at the Angels' Gate Hospice & Rehabilitation Center for Animals in Fort Salonga, which is the first hospice and rehabilitation center for animals in the country. Susan Marino, the director and founder, joined Legislator Cooper at the conference. Marino and Cooper introduced some of the Hospice's 70 resident animals, including dogs, cats, birds, ponies, chickens and rabbits.
