'Huge' Transport Of 31 Dogs Finding Homes In Memory Of 1 Dog, Lost

NORTH FORK, NY — A "huge" transport of dogs and puppies — 31 in total — are headed for the North Fork this weekend in search of their forever homes.

According to Gabrielle Stroup, director of operations for The League, each dog is cuter than the next, and all are being sent from Georgia to the North Fork, where the hope is that they'll find homes for the holidays.

Finding new homes for the homeless dogs is deeply rewarding, Stroup said.

"Saving these dogs and helping these other shelters makes our whole staff feel amazing," she said. "Even though we fill our shelters up and have lots of extra care to provide, being able to find them happy lives here on Long Island is so worth it."

She added: "It is my favorite part of my job, being able to do this and having the staff and volunteers and community support the effort."

The dogs come in all shapes and sizes, she said.

And, she added, there's always a need for adoptions to make room for the new additions.

The dogs will be available this weekend, beginning on Saturday, she said. "Puppies, small dogs, big dogs — all the dogs," she said.

And for Stroup, this week's transport is especially meaningful, in memory of her own beloved dog Pokey, her "sidekick" for almost 17 years, who she had to say good-bye to this week after the dog's long illness. "This transport will be for Pokey," she said.

Pokey was also a rescue from the North Fork Animal Welfare League, she said. "She was one of my longest relationships. She came to work with me every day."

The transport will be dropping off homeless dogs at the Shelter in Peconic, located at 269 Peconic Lane in Peconic, and at the Aquebogue site, located at 324 Church Lane — where they will be waiting to meet their new families and see their next chapters begin.