Elderly, Disabled Dog Rescue On LI Is 'Not Something You Can Imagine'

OAKDALE, NY — Many pet owners on Long Island overlook senior dogs and ones that are disabled for updated versions.

“They want puppies,” says senior dog rescuer Nadine LaGrange.

Owners get to a point where they grow tired of caring for older or disabled dogs because they can be a lot of work. They sometimes will even ask for euthanasia, or turn them over to a municipal shelter where they can also end up euthanized.

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“The rescue world is not something that you could ever imagine,” said LaGrange, who volunteers for Carol’s Senior Pet Sanctuary in Sayville. “It’s very, very sad and you really lose faith in people. It’s just really unfortunate.”

Other dogs of similar backgrounds find themselves up for adoption because though they had someone who loved them, that person died, or had to move into a smaller home that doesn’t allow animals.

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Carol’s, which is operated by Michael Genovesi, has taken animals from all over, even as far as Mexico.

If someone reaches out to Genovesi, he will share the owner’s plight on Facebook or work to get them in the shelter.

There’s around 55 of these dogs the sanctuary’s volunteers are caring for and they all need homes.

But LaGrange, and other volunteers like her, hope they will find their forever homes soon.

A fundraiser to aid the sanctuary will be held at Remember Yesteryear’s in Oakdale from noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday.

The vintage store’s 120-plus vendors will be offering sales, and there will be raffles and homemade dog biscuits with well-behaved fur babies welcome.

The best pic of a pet with a vintage collection will win a $50 gift certificate to Remember Yesteryears.

The sanctuary, which cares for older and disabled dogs, will have some of its residents on hand, or leash that is, for adoptions.

Donations will also be collected — food, cash, and supplies for the sanctuary.

The shelter is in particular need of Science Diet pet food, weewee pads, and dog treats. Also, cleaning supplies like Clorox, cleaning wipes, Lysol spray, paper towels, Dawn detergent, large contractor bags, and Glad tall kitchen bags.

“Anything is very helpful,” LaGrange said.

The fundraiser was the idea of Remember Yesteryear’s owner, Mindy Skura, who has a rescue dog herself.

“I’ve only ever had rescues, so this is something that is dear to my heart,” she said.

The East Patchogue resident had been looking to run a fundraiser at the shop, a large vintage shop with dozens of dealers, for over a year, but had not seen any takers.

It was not until a dealer at the shop told her about Carol’s, which is located in nearby Sayville.

“I didn’t know they even existed,” she said, adding that when she called and spoke to Genovesi, he readily accepted her offer to help. He recalled him saying, “‘You can help me. I’ll be happy to bring some dogs to the store. Let’s see if we can adopt them out.'”

Skura is hoping the big sale with the draw of raffles and a picture contest will draw people out in support of the sanctuary.

“It’s just a five-hour one-day sale, so that I can get people in the store,” she said.

Once the day is done, she is hoping there will be a nice round of donations for the sanctuary.

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All of the dogs Genovesi has are well-deserving of home, according to LaGrange.

Two she hopes will find homes soon are “Roy” and “Darren.”

“Roy” is currently LaGrange’s foster.

He is a two-year-old bully mix who was surrendered to the sanctuary last year.

“Darren” is a four-year-old German shepherd who was surrendered after his owner’s divorced.

She loves people, but must be the only dog for now due to the traumatic experience he had a shelter dog.

“She used to be good with dogs, so I think she has potential to be good with dogs,” LaGrange said. “But the shelter is making her uncertain.”

“They’re really just great dogs,” she said. “All the dogs that he has are really, really wonderful dogs.”

LaGrange cannot be certain how many volunteers will be available to bring the dogs to Remember Yesteryear’s, but there might be more than the group’s recent trip to Huntington because the venue is closer to home this time.

“Come meet the dogs,” LaGrange said. “Adopt, don’t shop. People don’t realize what shelter dogs are really about and how they can totally change their life around.”

“People get scared right away from shelter dogs,” she said. “They say, ‘I don’t know what the issues are or the behaviors or whatever.’ But truly, they really are just incredible dogs.”


In addition to Sunday’s fundraiser, the sanctuary has set up a GoFundMe with hopes of raising around $21,000 for veterinary expenses. To date, around $4,000 has been raised.

It is also hosting “Barks and Bagels” at Hot Bagels Delox in Sayville on April 14 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. There will be mini bagels and treats for visiting dogs. Anyone who adopts a dog, will get one dozen free bagels.

To see some adoptable pets, click here.


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