ARF Receives Grant To Help Transport Dogs From Areas In Need

WAINSCOTT, NY — The Animal Rescue Fund of the Hamptons has received a grant to continue helping four-footed friends in need from around the country.

ARF announced recently that The Irving and Phyllis Millstein Foundation for Animal Welfare, Ltd., or The Millstein Foundation, has awarded ARF a three-year grant to support the transport of dogs to ARF from areas of need in the country that struggle to care for them because of overpopulation and adversity.

The first transport of dogs arrived safely at the ARF Adoption Center on Jan. 14.

"As avid animal lovers, Irving and Phyllis Millstein were long-time supporters of ARF during their lives," ARF said. Irving passed away in 1998, and when Phyllis died in 2009 ARF became one of the principal beneficiaries of their estate in Amagansett, even including their six pets, two dogs and four cats — all of whom were quickly rehomed to loving families, ARF said.

The Millsteins’ bequest has since been used over the years for vital upgrades at the ARF adoption center in Wainscott.

The Millstein Foundation now continues the Millstein legacy through ARF’s animal rescue program for communities in need, a release said.

"The Foundation’s mission as an animal centered social philanthropy addresses the protection of vulnerable at-risk animals as well as the human animal connection and bond, which ARF promotes and preserves through loving adoptions at its Long Island center," ARF said.

The Foundation’s grant will support transportation costs in addition to the medical expenses incurred by ARF’s partners to make the animals ready for safe travel to a new state, including vaccinations, health certificates, and microchipping.

ARF’s first group of “Irving and Phyllis Millstein Rescues” in 2019 arrived on Jan. 14, from South Carolina — the group of 22 dogs included terriers, hounds, and shepherd mixes, which were medically cleared by ARF’s veterinarians and made available for adoption.

Photos courtesy ARF.