PHOTOS: Extended Adopt-A-Dog Family Gather for Joyful Reunion in Greenwich

Adopt A Dog, based in Armonk, NY, had a great turnout for their reunion of adopted dogs on Saturday on the lawn of Second Congregational Church in Greenwich.

As the skies cleared, and adoptees reconnected with shelter staff and volunteers, families shared their heartfelt adoption stories.

Volunteer Jeff Bianchi, who joked that he went ‘from Wall Street to dog walker,’ was key to organizing the event. He said eight years ago he adopted Lucy from Adopt A Dog. From there he made donations for several years. Then, when he retired, he became a volunteer.

Bianchi said 3.1 million dogs are adopted in the US annually, though 3.5 million dogs enter shelters each year.

“That difference, unfortunately, is bad news,” he said. “That’s what our mission is – to save dogs from euthanasia, and to place dogs with loving families and to reduce that number of 400,000 dogs.”

Bianchi noted that in the US the number of euthanized dogs was 2 million in 2010 and the decreased number was encouraging.

“And it is due to people like you,” he said to the alumni families.

Bianchi asked families to talk up the cause, share their adoption experiences with others, and share posts on social media.

Also, he said the shelter welcomed volunteers including high school students who can receive community service hours. And, of course, they always appreciate financial support.

The reunion invitation went out to families who adopted dogs in the past two years, but word spread through the Adopt A Dog’s alumni Facebook page.

Among the alumni was Kramer who was adopted back in 2014. Kramer, whose name was Brownie when Donna Herman and Jack Newman adopted him, traveled from Ossining for the event.

Mr. Bianchi introduced director Courtney Bellew who described the adopting families as “the real heroes.”

“I’m the one who makes decisions daily about what dogs we take into the shelter, and we get so many more requests than we can handle, because unfortunately there remains a very large gap between how many animals get adopted and make it out of the shelter,” Bellew said. “It’s a very tough position to be in – to decide who we are able to save. It’s stressful and there are a lot of ups and downs, but having an event like this and seeing the dogs come back, grown up, and the ones who were terrified in the shelter and now playing, it’s wonderful to see.”

Ms Bellew said that in the 3+ years she had been the director at Adopt A Dog, adoptions had increased five-fold, and this year they anticipated another increase.

She said foster homes were very helpful in the process as they free up space at the shelter for more dogs to be saved.

Local family the DelGiudices – Craig, Liz, Madison, Annabella and William – attended the event with their adopted dog, “Roo,” who was one of 12 dogs rescued from the south and given names with an Australian theme – think Adelaide, Brisbane, Sydney, Outback, Boomerang, Vegemite, and Geoff, whose name was included in honor of a donor from Australia.

Mr. DelGiudice said the family fostered puppy, “Roo” through Adopt A Dog before adopting him. He was originally called Knox, after the city in Australia.

Marin and Joe Rothenberg attended the event with their boys Max, Henry, and Ezra. The family brought their adopted boy, Lucky.  Originally named Kinkaid, Lucky was pulled by Adopt A Dog from Tennessee when he was six months old.

Brian Gordiski who has worked at Adopt A Dog for over 20 years, said back in 2020 the organization placed about 55 dogs.

In 2023 they placed 285 dogs.

What has changed? For starters, Gordiski said the organization bought a used school bus and transformed it.

While many used school buses are retired while they are still serviceable, many become tiny homes, and others are sold for scrap metal.

In the case of Adopt A Dog’s former school bus, Gordiski spotted it on Facebook Marketplace. Its seats had already been removed, which reduced the work required to transform it to a vehicle to transport dogs to adoption events as well as make the trip back and forth to the south to dog transport dogs.

The process involved painting it red and bolting rows of crates to the walls and floors.

The bus, which is fully air conditioned and has running water, features a handicapped lift at the back that is ideal for bringing crates, tents and tables to events. And, unlike the smaller blue van they previously relied on, it is possible to leash up a dog while inside the former school bus before heading to an event.

There is an area at the back of the bus that they store equipment for local events, but when removed, more crates can be added for trips to destinations like North Carolina and Tennessee where Adopt A Dog has established partnerships.

“They know the types of dogs we’re looking for – especially dogs who get along with other dogs and fit in with families who have children,” Gordiski said. “It’s all kinds of dogs – from puppies to adults.”

Greenwich resident, Jess Reid, who has known Mr. Gordiski since their days at Greenwich High School, said her family adopted Chiweenies, Ruby and Fiona, from Adopt A Dog 1-1/2 years ago.

Morgan Kelly and John Sprague traveled from Carmel, NY, with their Adopt A Dog boy, Graham (originally named Lookout), and a second dog, Keller, who is blind in one eye and deaf in one ear. Ms Kelly explained that after their family friend passed away, they adopted his dog Keller, who is fast friends with Graham.

Ms Kelly said the process of adopting a dog started with online research, including on Petfinder. She said she filled out the required paperwork and became pre-approved before ultimately adopting Graham.

Graham is a purebread Australian Shepherd. He was three when she and Mr. Sprague adopted him a year ago.

Check out the dogs available to adopt or foster from Adopt A Dog here.

Adopt A Dog’s shelter is located at 23 Cox Ave in Armonk. Tel (914) 273-1674