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Paws & Happenings
Your window into the latest rescue stories, community events, and news from ARF Hamptons.
The Kit Kat Fund
Sophie was an ARF rescue who survived the horrors of a puppy mill as a young pup and struggled to transition to life outside that cruel environment. Kit Kat became her best friend and was instrumental in helping Sophie adjust.
Kit Kat tragically died too soon, and the Kit Kat Fund was established in her memory, to encourage and support puppy mill survivors and those who care for them, and to provide financial support for senior and medically complex animals.
Kit Kat’s legacy will shineforever as a testament to the power of love, reminding us that every dog can make a difference.
Please consider a donation in honor of Kit Kat and in honor of all those like her, that remind us that dogs and cats can sometimes be the best therapy for one another.
Kit Kat Fund Recipients Available for Adoption
Consider giving a home to one of these deserving animals.
Daisy, 8-years-old
Daisy has loads of love to give! She came to ARF as a surrender, and is now looking for a new place to call home. Daisy is very affectionate and loves to give kisses. She is also smart as a whip and is eager to learn more. Daisy does have some anxiety, so she takes her time getting comfortable with new people, but once she knows you’re her friend, she’s a big mush! Due to her anxiety, a calm home with children over the age of 12 is recommended. Daisy doesn’t always want a canine companion around, so a thorough meet and greet is a must. If you’re looking for a best friend in a dog, look no further; Daisy is your girl!
Daisy is currently living in a foster home. If you are interested in meeting her, please contact the adoptions team at adoptions@arfhamptons.org to set up an appointment.
Miss Pickles, 4-years-old
Miss Pickles is a gorgeous Pit Bull Terrier who loves people and loves to give kisses! She was found as a stray in October 2024. It appears that she was left in a wooded area in Springs to fend for herself before being brought to East Hampton Animal Control and then to ARF. This survivor with a heart of gold and a BIG personality is known for serenading staff and volunteers with her adorable squeaks and noises. Miss Pickles is dog selective, so a meet and greet would be necessary if she were to have a canine sibling. She also requires a special diet due to allergies. Come meet Pickles and you will find it impossible not to fall in love with her!
If you are interested in meeting her, please contact the adoptions team at adoptions@arfhamptons.org to set up an appointment.
ADOPTED! Kit Kat Fund Recipients
These special animals are now happy in their forever homes, thanks to help from the Kit Kat Fund.
Now Open Late on Thursdays
More time to shop, donate, and meet your new best friend!
Beginning this season, both the ARF Hamptons Adoption Center in East Hampton and ARF Thrift & Treasure Shop in Sagaponack will now stay open late on Thursdays until 7 PM, making it even easier and more convenient to support the animals at ARF. Whether you are searching for a new furry family member, dropping off donations, or shopping for a great cause, Thursday nights just got a little more pet friendly.
ARF’s Rescues & Rosé: An Evening Of Wine, Sunsets, & Animal Rescue
Photos by Andrew Werner Photography
Community Giving Challenge
Countless lives changed. Because of this INCREDIBLE community, we are beyond grateful to share that we met our $50,000 match for the Community Giving Challenge!
Thank you to every person who donated, volunteered, shared our mission, left encouraging words, or helped spread the word. Every act of support came together to create something truly life-changing for the animals who depend on ARF Hamptons.
Your generosity means more rescues, more medical care, more full bellies, more safe nights, and more second chances for homeless dogs and cats.
Animals have a remarkable way of bringing out the very best in us. They comfort us, inspire us, make us laugh, and remind us what unconditional love looks like. This week was a beautiful reflection of that love in action.
A very special thank you to Dick McCabe for generously sponsoring our Community Giving matching gift in loving memory of Chipper. Your compassion and support helped make this extraordinary week possible.
From all of us at ARF Hamptons, and from every animal whose life will be changed because of this community, thank you for believing in our mission and standing beside us for the animals who need us most.
There is still time to donate! Please make your gift today.
Photo: Richard Well McCabe in the ARF Welcome Center, with Bo, who is available for adoption. By Mark Kopko Photography.
Pet Photo Contest Winners Announced
And the winners are...
Thank you to all who entered the James Lane Post for the 6th annual Pet Photo Contest.
Congraulations to the follow winners:
Most Photogenic: LANDO
Pet & Owner Look-A-Like: Luanne & Stuart
ARF Rescue: Milky
Cutest Outfit: Myles
Dynamic Duo: Ari & Hachi
A Lifeline Across Continents
Dogs rescued from the China Meat Trade are coming to East Hampton to begin their new lives. For these animals, collaboration means a second chance at life, and for the East End community, it’s a chance to be part of something extraordinary.
The heart of this mission is Vivi Zhou, representing the Andy Sabin Family Foundation. Born in Shenyang, a city in northeast China, Vivi knows the harsh reality many dogs face there. When her mother stumbled upon a shelter in desperate need of renovation, Vivi refused to turn away. She founded Hope4Fur China Dog Rescue, rallied resources, rebuilt the shelter, hired staff, and ensured every dog would receive medical attention, good nutrition, and love. Today, Hope4Fur cares for more than 300 dogs, many of them purebred.
For Vivi, this work is profoundly personal.
“My dog Mocha saved my life during one of my darkest moments,” she shares. “Now, I feel a responsibility to pay it forward and give these animals the same chance at life that Mocha gave me.”
The first group of dogs bound for ARF Hamptons will include two basset hounds, three corgis, a pure white collie, a bichon frisé, a miniature Pinscher, and more—each one a survivor whose journey is only just beginning.
“The difference is our connection on the ground in China,” said Kim Nichols, ARF Hamptons Executive Director. “We know these dogs are being well cared for and getting the medical, nutritional, and emotional support they need while waiting to be transferred to the USA. That’s what makes this partnership so powerful.”
Every detail of the dogs’ journey to the U.S., from travel to customs clearance, is being managed with care by Run 2 the Rescue, ensuring their safety every step of the way.
“Run 2 the Rescue is thrilled to be partnering with ARF and Hope4Fur in saving the lives of these precious dogs, all of whom were destined to be someone’s meal in Southeast Asia without our intervention,” shares Run 2 The Rescue co-founder, Brandy Cherven. "“These dogs will now find wonderful homes and live wonderful lives. A fairy tale ending after a horrific beginning.”
This effort is only possible through partnership and compassion: ARF Hamptons, the Andy Sabin Family Foundation, Hope4Fur China Dog Rescue, and Run 2 the Rescue, uniting across borders to save lives and write new stories of hope.
Follow along on Instagram as we share each step of their incredible journey!
Watch Part I >
Watch Part II >
About the Andy Sabin Family Foundation
The Andy Sabin Family Foundation supports causes around the world that strengthen communities, protect the environment, advance health, and promote animal welfare. Guided by a spirit of responsibility and compassion, the Foundation invests in initiatives that create meaningful, lasting impact.
About Hope4Fur China Dog Rescue
Founded by Vivi Zhou, along with Andy Sabin, Hope4Fur China Dog Rescue is dedicated to transforming the lives of dogs rescued from the meat trade. What began as the renovation of a struggling local shelter has grown into a safe haven for more than 300 dogs, many of them purebred, who now receive proper medical care, nutrition, and love. Inspired by her own dog Mocha, who once saved her during a dark time, Vivi leads Hope4Fur with a personal mission to give every dog the same second chance at life.
About Run 2 the Rescue
Run 2 the Rescue is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit which rescues dogs from the dog meat trade, providing critical medical treatment for rescued dogs and a place for them to heal. As part of its mission, Run 2 the Rescue assists other rescues in managing the complex logistics required to bring these survivors to the United States where they find loving homes.
About the China Meat Trade
In certain areas of China, dogs are brutally slaughtered for human consumption. These dogs are kept in deplorable conditions and suffer tremendous abuse before and during their slaughter. It is estimated that China slaughters 10 million dogs a year for human consumption, and to use their skins to manufacture leather products.
Donate to ARF
ARF’s work is only possible because of the dedication of our staff and Board leadership, the generosity of our volunteers, and supporters like you who believe every cat and dog deserves a champion. Together, we make a real difference for animals who have nowhere else to turn.
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