Volunteers and students in the Bronx are raising money for an animal shelter that may be forced to leave its current location.
New Beginning Animal Rescue, an animal rescue shelter located on 2515 Newbold Avenue, is holding its second fundraising event and an animal adoption event – hoping to find their pets new and permanent homes while generating the proper funding to do so.
The first fundraiser event was a ‘Zumbathon’ rumba class led by certified instructors at the Locust Point Civil Association, 3300 Tierney Place on Sunday, April 12. For just $10, all were able to participate in a 90-minute zumba session.
The follow up fundraiser, a social gathering for the shelter, will take place at the Throggs Neck Memorial Post, 1456 Shore Drive from 7 to 11 p.m. on Saturday, April 18.
The fee is $15 per person and $5 for kids and the festivities will include a buffet dinner, a cash bar, a DJ and raffles.
New Beginning Animal Rescue volunteers Christina Abbatiello and Regina Hickey-Shaw will be the party hosts.
All of the proceeds generated by these events will go directly to New Beginning Animal Rescue.
An animal adoption event will then follow a week later on Saturday, April 25, which will be held at the shelter’s location. From 1 to 4 p.m., pet lovers have the opportunity to meet and hopefully adopt cats and dogs that have been rescued and sheltered and are looking for a new home and a loving owner.
“We are trying to find each of these pets a home while still generating the appropriate funds to continue to operate as an organization,” said Christina Abbatiello. “When it comes to not-for-profits, money is always an issue. However, the Bronx needs this shelter and we hope that people attend these events.”
The shelter’s staff is not alone. Students from P.S. X721, the Stephen McSweeney School, have also been volunteering at the animal shelter, helping feed and walk dogs. The school is also currently attempting to raise money for the shelter.
The not-for-profit that is responsible for finding permanent homes for over 5,000 pets is currently struggling, operating on a month to month basis.
The animal shelter’s founder, Pedro Rosario, is paying nearly $5,000 in rent each month, even paying out of his pocket, to keep the animal shelter in business.
“Our goal and mission is to care for pets and find them a home, but without enough funds, that’s not possible,” said Rosario, who told the Bronx Times that he is hoping to receive funding for one or two months, but may be forced to look for a smaller location with cheaper rent for the shelter. “I really hope the community attends these events and gets more involved with our organization – we need them to keep this shelter open.”
