Trenton Thunder promotes pet adoption
By: Kristin Boyd
Jay’s framed photo is posted along the concrete wall at SAVE, above a dating-service like description: Affectionate, had a little training. Will do anything for a treat.
A 2-year-old Border Collie mix, Jay is happy here at SAVE, A Friend to Homeless Animals in Princeton, where he plays with his buddies, gobbles doggie treats and romps in the warm sun.
This is home sweet home but hopefully not for long.
"We have a great facility," says Donielle Killian, director of shelter operations at SAVE. "We have great dogs. We’re doing great adoptions, and we’re finding them homes really quickly."
To raise awareness about pet adoption, SAVE and APAW in West Windsor are now participating in the Trenton Thunder’s "Dog of the Day" program, which is helping deserving pooches find new homes.
The Trenton Thunder implemented "Dog of the Day" this season after learning about a Missouri minor league baseball team’s similar initiative. "It was a no-brainer," says Patience Purdy, assistant director of ticket sales for the Trenton Thunder. "It’s an excellent way to put pet adoption out there."
During each Trenton Thunder home game, the announcer introduces a dog and its animal shelter or rescue. As a chorus of "oohs" and "ahhs" fills Waterfront Park stadium, the pooch parades across the field and its picture is projected on the video screen.
"Animal shelters and rescue centers become inundated with dogs," Mr. Purdy says, adding the doggie pictures and information are also posted on the Trenton Thunder’s Web site. "If you can grab an audience of 5,000 to 6,000 at one game, that’s great."
The program, sponsored by the Garden State Veterinary Specialists in Tinton Falls, has been succesful so far. Now, even season ticket holders are asking about the "Dog of the Day" in advance, Ms. Purdy adds.
"The response has been great. Everyone just loves it," she says. "We have one woman who says, ‘I just can’t look because I’m afraid I’ll want to take them all home.’"
Duke, a SAVE animal recently featured as a "Dog of the Day," was adopted, although Ms. Killian is unsure if the program played a part in that. Still, she says, she’s pleased the Trenton Thunder is pushing pet adoption to the forefront
On Sunday, SAVE was again the featured animal shelter when the Trenton Thunder played the Akron Aeros. Murphy, a 4-year-old Golden Retriever-Shepherd mix, was the "Dog of the Day."
Now, he’s back at SAVE with Meatball, a Corgi-Terrier mix who’s full of personality, and Tequila, a Beagle mix who’s timid but comes around with love and attention.
And, Choco, a large Labrador mix who’ll roll over for belly rubs, and Smokey, a Dalmatian mix whose faithful but afraid of thunderstorms.
Like Jay, this is their home sweet home, too. But hopefully not for long.
For information about Trenton Thunder’s "Dog of the Day" program, call Patience Purdy at (609) 394-3300, ext. 104. On the Web: www.trentonthunder.com.
For information about SAVE, call Donielle Killian at (609) 921-6122, ext. 201. On the Web: www.savehomelessanimals.org.
For information about APAW, or Animal Placement Agency of the Windsors, call Stephanie Brocksbank at (609) 799-1263. On the Web: www.apawpets.org.
Animal adoption On the Web: www.petfinders.org.
Looking for a pet?
Interested in adopting a pooch from SAVE, A Friend to Homeless Animals? Here’s how to do it:
Visit SAVE, 900 Herrontown Road in Princeton, and meet the dogs. Hours are noon to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, and noon to 4 p.m. Sunday. Closed Monday.
If you find the perfect pooch, fill out an adoption application. The approval process typically takes two days, allowing the SAVE staff time to verify information and references.
If approved, pay the adoption fee $200 for adult dogs, $250 for puppies. The fee includes spay/neuter; distemper, bordetella and rabies vaccines all vaccinations; de-worming; heartworm, flea and tick preventatives; Lyme, leukemia and FIV testing.
Schedule a pick up date and time.
If you can’t adopt a pet, there are other ways to help SAVE. The non-profit is always seeking volunteers and donations, particularly kitty litter and canned dog food.

