Southampton Animal Shelter Foundation Hosts Annual “A Taste Of Wine” Benefit Over Memorial Day Weekend

Co-hosts Jean Shafiroff and Jonathan McCann welcomed Southampton Animal Shelter Foundation (SASF) supporters — and wine lovers — to A Taste of Wine, at the Southampton Historical Museum. SASF Director of Adoptions Katie McEntee curated the local wines and hors d’oeuvres for the four year old event that is quickly gaining traction in the community.

Jonathan McCann. (Photo: Jared Siskin/PMC)

Ellen and Chuck Scarborough, Susan Allen, Elizabeth Shafiroff and Lindsay Spielvogen (who founded Global Strays to rescue animals from such less developed countries as Nicaragua, the Dominican Republic and Costa Rico), Marianne and Mark Epley, SASF Executive Director Jerry Rosenthal, Bridget Fitzgerald, Greg D’Elia, Susan Kinscherf, Victor dE Souza, Ellen McGrath, Jenny Lenz, Dolly Lenz, Melanie Roy and Wendy Diamond, were among the high profile guests for the low cost ticket, designed to make the party accessible to the community which supports SASF year round. During the summer, more than 100 local and summer residents volunteer at the Shelter, which is currently housing about 65 dogs and 95 cats. Its part of the lead in to the Southampton Animal Shelter’s Unconditional Love Gala on Saturday, July 8, which will honor Shafiroff and Sony Schotland.

The Shelter is a model for others across the country. Animal Trainer Aimee Sadler developed a “Playing for Life” program there, to give the dogs group play, which she now teaches to shelters nationwide. Their spay and neuter truck goes out three times a week with two vets on board to help curtail the unwanted animal population.

“We have an overabundance of dogs this year,” McCann said. They rescue from kill shelters, Puerto Rico and China and from the community.

This year, Jonathan McCann told us, “We had a lot of renovation and the plant is in far better condition than it has been in a long time. The town put in a completely new HVAC system. These animals have to spend a lot of time in cages. Now they have a more comfortable atmosphere. We’ve also done a lot of painting, and put down grass in the play areas for the dogs. So, it looks really terrific.”

We were focusing on the three pound Chihuahua puppy in his arms. “I know someone who would love that dog,” I said. But, before the text could be sent, the baby was adopted.

Southampton Animal Shelter Foundation is located at 102 Old Riverhead Road West in Hampton Bays. For more information, call 631-728-7387 or visit southamptonanimalshelter.com.