Superstorm Sandy Dog Moves To New Shelter, Awaits New Home
GARDEN CITY, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- The last dog that was displaced by Superstorm Sandy and living in a temporary shelter on Long Island has been relocated, but there is no shortage of prospective parents for Bruno the Rottweiler.
The 7-year-old dog arrived at Northwind Kennels in Westchester County on Saturday after the Mitchel Field Emergency Pet Shelter in Garden City closed its doors.
Superstorm Sandy Dog Moves To New Shelter, Awaits New Home
The emergency pet shelter was opened after the October storm where staff and volunteers took care of more than 500 family owned pets that were in need of a place to go after being displaced from their homes.
Bruno was one them. His owner brought him there after losing his home during Sandy.
The Nassau County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals said what started as weeks at the shelter turned into months for Bruno. His owner lost his job and has been living in his car while looking for work.
Bruno's owner came to see him often, and both Bruno and his owner cried during their visits, Nassau County SPCA spokesman Gary Rogers said.
Finding it harder and harder to visit Bruno, his owner decided to say goodbye to his furry friend and turn him over to the shelter.
Now at Northwind Kennels, staff will give Bruno lots of love and attention and will help find him a new home.
"We are huge Rottweiler fans here and we are happy and excited to be helping Bruno find the permanent and loving home he deserves," said Penny Smith-Berk, owner of Northwind. "I don't think it will be difficult to find a friendly, middle-aged dog like Bruno a new home."
A boarding kennel in Bedford, Northwind also works with several rescue groups and fosters animals in need.
"Our large boarding facility enables us to take in dozens of rescue pets and provide them with a life-saving, temporary home," Smith-Berk said.
So far, hundreds of people are on a list to try to adopt Bruno, including a soldier who is currently in Afghanistan and wants to adopt the dog for his wife.
Rogers said Bruno has a strong and sometimes stubborn Rottweiler personality, but becomes "a loveable puppy" around the people he knows.
"Bruno is a devoted dog," Rogers said. "He has had a very difficult last few months and we are desperate to find him a happy ending."
He said Bruno would be best in a home with an owner who knows and understands the breed. Northwind will decide where Bruno will be placed.
"I'm going to start going through the list of potential homes for him and talk to some people and process their applications and I want to find just the right home for him so he can settle down and be somewhere forever," Smith-Berk said.
Fifty-five of the dogs and cats living at Nassau County's temporary shelter were also relinquished by their owners. Those pets either have been adopted or are in foster care, WCBS 880's Sophia Hall reported.
Saturday morning, County Executive Ed Mangano thanked the countless number of staff and volunteers who spent months taking care of 515 pets at the county's temporary shelter.
"I am very proud of our volunteers and so many other groups and individuals who have donated so generously of their time and resources," said Mangano.
Bruno was not alone when he arrived at Northwind. Nassau County also brought another Rottweiler named Mister. The 13-year-old's owner died suddenly and now Mister is looking for a new, loving home.
"Mister has really been through a lot," Smith-Berk said. "This sweet, old dog just wants someone to curl up next to in his golden years."
For more information about Bruno or Mister, visit www.northwindkennelsny.com.
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