ARF Purchases New Van Thanks To Anonymous Donor

The Animal Rescue Fund of the Hamptons, Inc. (ARF) announced Monday that through a donation from an anonymous donor, it has purchased a mobile Spay/Neuter van.

The 26’ van will be equipped with a heated hydraulic lift surgery table, an exam table, sink and sterilization equipment necessary to perform spay/neuter surgery. Fourteen recovery cages will allow dogs and cats to recover from surgery in the safety of the van.

The focus of the van’s spay/neuter work will be ARF’s Operation Cat program which provides free spay/neuter to feral cats. The van will allow the program to expand across Long Island wherever the need is greatest. In addition, free and low-cost spay/neuter, vaccination and micro- chipping offerings will be scheduled.

ARF’s Operation Cat Coordinator Rita Del Rey commented, “having an ARF spay/neuter van will allow us to ramp up the work we are already doing in collaboration with the Southampton Shelter. This extra capacity will save more lives.”

Additionally, the van can be transformed into a mobile adoption unit when needed. ARF already has one mobile adoption van and just adopted its 1,000th animal off that van in just over 2 years.

ARF’s Senior Director of Operations and Partnership Programs Michele Forrester and her husband Jamie Forrester picked up the custom made van in Gahanna, Ohio for its maiden voyage back to Wainscott.

They met up with partner organization, Rescue Road Warriors and loaded up nine dogs just rescued from a Missouri Puppy Mill. Among the dogs were a English Bulldog puppy, a Yorkshire Terrier, a Silky Terrier, a long-haired Dachshund, Chihuahuas and a Bichon Frise. The dogs range in age from puppy to 8 years old and are now adjusting to their new home at the Animal Rescue Fund’s Adoption Center, and will be made available for adoption once they are neutered and medically cleared.