Pit Bull Awareness Event Slated for Wantagh Saturday

For the second year in a row, the Town of Hempstead Animal Shelter is teaming up with to a Bully Breed Brigade in Wantagh that promote pit bull awareness, adoption and welfare.

The awareness event is scheduled for this Saturday from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. at the Town of Hempstead Animal Shelter on 3320 Beltagh Ave., Wantagh.  Just like last year's inaugural Bully Breed Brigade, there will be an appearance by Tia Torres of the popular Animal Planet television program "Pit Bulls and Parolees," which documents the day-to-day operations of the nation’s largest pit bull animal shelter, the Villalobos Rescue Center in California.

"This day-long event will serve to highlight these amazing animals, who have wonderful personalities and hearts of gold," said Town of Hempstead Animal Shelter Director Cynthia Iacopella. "Given the love and attention they so rightfully deserve, the often-misunderstood pit bull can be a faithful companion just like any other breed."

The day’s festivities will include an adoption fair, vendors, breed advocates, holistic experts and much more. The event will also feature a Pit Parade of "Ambassadors" from Long Island animal shelters and rescue groups.

Prior to Saturday's Bully Breed Brigade, a "Yappy Hour" fundraiser will be held at Mulcahy's Pub & Concert Hall in Wantagh Friday night from 6-9 p.m. with proceeds benefiting Last Hope, Inc. and  Tia Torres' Villa Lobos & Roman Gottfried's Holistic Pet Services. 

"Our first Bully Breed Brigade last November was a huge success for so many reasons," said  Joanne Anderson, Outreach Coordinator for Last Hope, Inc. "The event, a combined effort of the Town of Hempstead Animal Shelter and private rescue group Last Hope, Inc. Animal Rescue & Rehabilitation, unfolded precisely how we envisioned it... Shelters and rescue groups from all over Long Island came together to promote these stigmatized and overlooked dogs that are at our shelters."

For more information on the Bully Breed Brigade,, call the Town of Hempstead Animal Shelter at 516-785-5220 or vist www.toh.li/animal-shelter.