'Pickle & Paws' Pickleball Fundraiser To Help Homeless Pets

NORTH FORK, NY — Pickleball, the new sport sweeping the North Fork and the nation, will be the focus of an event planned to help homeless pets in need.

The League, the new name of the North Fork Animal Welfare League, has locations in Aquebogue and Peconic — and helps scores of pets looking for forever homes.

The first "Pickle & Paws For A Good Cause" Pickleball Tournament will be held on Saturday, Sept. 10 from 1 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the Tasker Park pickleball courts located on Peconic Lane in Peconic. A rain date is set for Sept. 17.

Spectators and participants are welcome; guest are invited to bring a chair, watch the matches and win prizes. A 50/50 raffle, lottery tree and raffle will be held. Raffle tickets are $4 each. To see the full list of prizes click here.

"We are excited to have our first pickleball event," said Gabrielle Stroup, director of operations for The League. "We'be had a ton of interest and we are looking forward to the day! People should come down and watch — and get in on the great raffles."

Stroup also emphasized that the shelters are bursting at the seams. In order to accept new rescues, adoptions and fosters are greatly needed. To that end, any pet that has been at the shelters longer than 90 days can currently be adopted with no fees, Stroup said.