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| Mighty Mutts |
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P.O. Box 140139, Brooklyn, NY 11214-0139; 718-946-1074. members.tripod.com/~MightyMutts
Might Mutts does not have a shelter facility. It sets up its mobile adoption van at the southwest corner of Manhattan's Union Square at 14th St. and University Pl.
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Every Saturday from noon to dusk. They don't come out in really bad weather.
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L, N, Q, R, W, 4, 5, 6 to Union Square.
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Mighty Mutts is a no-kill, all-volunteer animal rescue organization founded in 1995 by John Contino. It began in 1971 when Contino, then a telephone line repairman in Coney Island, started picking up and trying to find homes for strays in the area. Mighty Mutts is now Contino's full-time job (he lives off his pension from the phone company). Unlike many other shelters, Mighty Mutts takes in any stray dog-including dogs with serious behavior or health problems. To care for un-adoptable dogs, Contino recently bought seven acres of land in rural New Jersey. He's trying to raise $400,000 to convert the land into an animal sanctuary.
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40 dogs. But the shelter's mobile adoption center carries only ten dogs. Between 150 and 200 dogs a year are adopted from Mighty Mutts.
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Many come from the streets of New York City, especially Coney Island. Mighty Mutts generally has few puppies and few purebreds.
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Mighty Mutts requests an adoption donation of $75. All dogs have been tested and treated for diseases and parasites; they've also been vaccinated and spayed or neutered.
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Visit the dogs at Union Square. If you want to adopt one, fill out the application form and show a piece of i.d.. If your application is accepted, a formal interview will then be scheduled to take place at your house. The idea of the home interview is to: a) prevent you from adopting a dog without giving it lots of thought; and b) to let Mighty Mutts check out your living conditions. You'll be able to pick up your dog at Union Square the following weekend. Bring a collar and a leash.
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No official rules; everything's decided on a case-by-case basis. If the adoption doesn't work out, you must promise to return the dog to Mighty Mutts.
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Mighty Mutts runs a cat adoption center and pet store called Ollie's Place at 203 E. 26th St. More info at 212-532-0330.
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Mighty Mutts gets most of its money from individual donations. For $15 to $20 a month, you can sponsor a Mighty Mutts dog. Non-monetary donations are welcome, including used cars, pet supplies, or your time. As well, money is being raised to build the sanctuary in New Jersey. All contributions, monetary or not, are tax deductible.
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