History

1974

Founded by Sony Schotland, Barbara Hotchkiss Posener and Dorothy Wahl to address the crisis of homeless and abandoned animals on Long Island’s East End

1977

Opened the first Thrift Shop, The Cold Nose in Bridgehampton

1980

Purchased 22 acres in East Hampton, New York

1985

Opened kennels and adoption center

1996

PUP (People United with Pets) program started to help people in crisis care for their pets

1997

Established Operation Cat (TNR) program to humanely reduce the growing number and needless suffering of homeless, feral and stray cats

2004

Opened a new medical wing, administration wing, and a renovated and expanded the kennel

2005

Undertook first out-of-state rescue transport in response to Hurricane Katrina and began providing free microchipping for all ARF animals

2007

First shipment of breeder dogs rescued from Midwest puppy mills

2008

Purchased the property now occupied by the Thrift Shop in Sagaponack

2009

Designated the official pet evacuation center for the Town of East Hampton

2012

Began using mobile adoption van

2015

Launched a mobile spay/neuter clinic and completed renovation of animal intake facility

2016

Purchased a custom transport vehicle for interstate rescues

2020

Receives commitment for transformational gift from Richard Wells McCabe

2021

Officially breaks ground on Forever Home Capital Campaign

2023

Grand Re-Opening of ARF