Perfect Pairs: Families Find Furry Friends at Best Friends Animal Society’s Lord & Taylor Adoption Event

“This is so much better than a dress!” said a Lord & Taylor shopper cuddling a mushy faced Shih Tzu mix puppy Leo at the Best Friends Animal Society’s Perfect Pairs adoption event held on Saturday, June 23rd.

As a volunteer for Best Friends Animal Society, I had a front seat to all the action that took place at the Huntington, Long Island Lord & Taylor’s Perfect Pairs adoption event. Best Friends Animal Society is a Utah based national organization that partners with animals rescues around the country to bring about a time when there are no more homeless pets®. Best Friends Animals Society also has the largest sanctuary for animals in the country in Angel Canyon, Utah where 1700 animals reside.

Last Saturday’s event was the first time Best Friends collaborated with Lord & Taylor to raise awareness about adoption in conjunction with L & T’s biggest sandal sale of the season, hence the phrase “Perfect Pairs.” Lord & Taylor stores on the East Coast and Mid-West hosted the event along with local rescue organizations that brought in pets so customers could interact with the animals and decide if they want to bring home a pet.

The event started at 1pm, but those who found out about it through TV and newspaper ads were in the store as early as 11am to inquire volunteers about adoptable canines. “We are looking to add a furry family member,” said one woman holding two shopping bags. As a first time volunteer for Best Friends, I was elated to see so many interested people sharing stories about their beloved pets and their hopes to adopt their next animal companion.

While in typical New York style, some people were wary about signing anything on a clipboard when we asked them to take a pledge to adopt rather than shop, some patrons were happy spending time with the dogs at the event, and flipping through the binder for animals in need of forever homes. The store managers and salespersons were equally smitten with the furry friends on site and one even called her husband to come check out a dog she liked. 

At the Huntington location, we had four dogs from Yorkie 911 Rescue. There was Leo, the adorable Shih Tzu mix pup who hogged all the attention with his friendliness. There was shy Allie, who spent the first three years of her life in a puppy mill before getting rescued. Lulu, a cute wire haired Yorkie mix with a bedazzled “Adopt Me” shirt on, was energetic and playful. And Charley, a ten-year-old teeny tiny dog with one eye, didn’t let that get in the way of charming those who took the time to pet him.

Anias Leon, Vice-President of Yorkie 911 Rescue, said their group has already helped more than 250 dogs find loving homes since they started in 2010. The rescued dogs are spayed and neutered, and are placed with foster families in the New York area. In addition to advertising the pets on their website and Petfinder.com, volunteers also bring them to adoption events, including those organized by Best Friends Animal Society.

Donna Noesi, who has been fostering Leo for three weeks, brought him to the event with her kids. “I think this will be the day he finds his new family. We will miss him when he leaves,” she said as families competed to spend time with the cuddle bug.

Photo by Lavanya Sunkara

Adorable Leo with his foster family.

Even though some of the families interested in the pets wanted to bring them home right away, those interested were asked to fill out an application on Yorkie 911’s website. “There is a process we go through. We have to do home visits and vet approved,” said Anais. “We want to make sure we send the dogs to the right families,” she added.

While it may take a week or two to get their pets home, those shopping at Lord & Taylor on Saturday found more than just a perfect pair of shoes. As for me, I am already looking forward to volunteering at more adoption events in the coming months.

Photo by Lavanya Sunkara

Lulu, an energetic and friendly Yorkie mix is looking for her "furever" home. Find her at www.Yorkie911rescue.com

To learn more about Best Friends Animal Society, or visit the Sanctuary located in Angel Canyon, Utah, check out www.BestFriends.org.

You can also text PETS to 50555 to give $10 to Best Friends Animal Society.