Nassau, Suffolk open pet shelters

Emergency shelters for family pets are ready in both Nassau and Suffolk counties, officials said Friday as Hurricane Irene moved north.

"It's best if people stay with a family member of someone out of the danger zone, but we're here if needed," Chief Roy Gross of the Suffolk County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals said.

Gross said the county SPCA has opened the shelter at the Brentwood Recreation Center at 99 Third Ave. in Brentwood, and another shelter might be opened if necessary.

The Nassau shelter will be at Mitchel Park's Field House in Uniondale starting at noon Saturday, Nassau officials said. It will be operated by the Pet Safe Coalition, county officials said.

The shelter is at the Mitchel Athletic Complex, 1 Charles Lindbergh Blvd., Uniondale.

Shelters have also been opened at the Town of North Hempstead's Shelter in Port Washington, and at Bideawee of Wantagh, which will open at 1 p.m. on Saturday.

Gross said people have to bring their own supplies for their pets, including food, water and bedding, and would be expected to tend to them when they were not in their own shelter at the school next door.

Owners will also have to show proof of vaccination, he said.