Last Sunday, Sept. 22, The Animal Relief Foundation, Inc. of Jersey City hosted the Furry Scurry II Dog Walk at Liberty State Park. After registering their four-legged companions for the event, participants were treated to an energy breakfast and handed a doggie goodie bag for the 3-mile trek. The event started at 9 a.m. Registration was $30. Each participant also received a commemorative event t-shirt. At 10 a.m. participants and dignitaries gathered at the Hudson River for a Memorial to honor the fallen K9 heroes of Sept. 11.
When Tower 1 came down, Sirius, a Port Authority K9, was the only dog killed in the World Trade Center. His partner, Officer Dave Lim of the Port Authority, was there when Sirius’ flag-draped remains were removed from the site with full hero’s honors.
Over 250 K9s from Long Island and as far away as Los Angeles and other countries worked at Ground Zero risking life and limb to rescue or recover victims of the terrorist acts of 9/11. Mayor Glenn Cunningham of Jersey City, his wife Sandra Cunningham and Deputy Mayor Eugene Drayton were on hand Sunday to participate during the memorial. The mayor speaking said that these K9s and their handlers are the true heroes and that the city of Jersey City as the rest of our nation is deeply grateful.
After speaking the mayor and his wife, each tossed a rose in the Hudson River saying that "this is a tribute to all of those lost on September 11." Governor McGreevey, who was unable to attend, sent a letter to the officers who lost K9 partners.
Nearly 100 registrants and sponsors participated in this year’s Furry Scurry. The $3,000 that was raised by the event will go into The Animal Relief Fund, Inc. of Jersey City’s Spay/Neuter Program. This program, which is supported by donations, pays to spay or neuter stray and feral animals on the streets of Hudson County.
Through the extreme generosity and support of Dr. Michael Tuder of The Bayonne Animal Hospital and his staff, ARFF is able to offer this program. In his comments Mayor Cunningham stated that he fully supports the efforts of this program. A portion of the funds raised will also be set aside to assist with spaying/neutering ferals that are brought in on National Feral Cat Day which is Oct. 16.
To learn more about NFCD, ARFF and their spay/neuter program visit them on the web at www.arffjc.org or email us at arffjc@onebox.com. ARFF is a not-for-profit foundation and is recognized by the IRS as a 501(c)3 organization. All donations are tax deductible.
Sponsors of the event included: Bayonne Animal Hospital, Animal Infirmary of Hoboken, Groomingdales, Carriagehouse of Jersey City, White Star Pub, Iron Monkey, Maisonave Harvey Florist, www.websonwebster.com, www.fetchitpetsupplies.com, Happy Hounds & Cozy Cats and Applied Management.