STATEN ISLAND, NY — Thanksgiving allows us to embrace gratitude for the blessings in our lives. It is a time to fill your home with light, love, laughter and life. As we come together this season, let’s show our furry family members more affection. Their steadfast companionship makes our days brighter and happier.

Thanksgiving is a time for thanksgiving, family gatherings, and celebration, but while you’re busy preparing for the holiday, it’s easy to overlook the potential dangers to your pet. Here are some to consider.

Prevent interior design risks

• Decorative plants: Many Thanksgiving plants, including holly, poinsettias, and chrysanthemums, can be toxic to pets if consumed. Complications include diarrhea, vomiting, and possibly more serious health problems.
• Light: Although lit candles are often used to create a warm Thanksgiving atmosphere, curious pets can knock them over, burn themselves or start a fire. Battery powered lights are a safe option.
• Lots of frills: Although they may look like toys, glitter, ribbons and ornaments can cause major health problems if consumed.

Dangers of food

• Harmful toxins: Chocolate, onions, raisins and grapes are among the common items that are highly harmful to pets and should be kept out of reach. Thanksgiving classics like stuffing, green bean casserole, and other holiday favorites often include these items.
• Stay away from bones: Dogs and cats should never be allowed to eat poultry bones, as they can break or splinter in a pet’s stomach. To avoid this potentially fatal situation, all bones should be disposed of in a closed trash can.
• Empty the trash: This is probably the last thing on your mind, but it’s not on theirs. Trash is filled with all these harmful things that we try to keep them away from. If left unattended or forgotten, their curiosity can get the best of them.

Meet Baby Bella

Adoption events

If you want to adopt, remember that there are loving elderly and disabled pets who need your care and attention too. If you are unable to adopt, please consider fostering or sharing the information with someone who could use some good companionship.

Nov. 23

• Staten Island Hope Animal Rescue will be at the Bricktown Commons Petco, 165 Bricktown Way, Suite 1C, from 3 to 5:30 p.m.
• SICAW will be at Immanuel Union Church, 693 Jewett Avenue, Staten Island, NY, from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm for their annual holiday fair.
• Louie’s LAR will be at Woodbridge High School, 1 Samuel Lupo Place, Woodbridge, NJ, from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Weekly Event: Animal Care Centers of New York City is open to adopt dogs, cats, guinea pigs and rabbits at 3139 Veterans Rd. West from 12.00 to 17.00 Wednesday to Sunday. For general information about adoption from ACC and other community-based programs through ACC, go to www.nycacc.org.

Upcoming events

Best Friends Animal Society collaborates with Chewing clause to offer free pet adoptions at Best Friends Pet Lifesaving Center in NYC from Friday 29 November to Sunday 1 December. Best Friends is located at 307 West Broadway and is open daily from 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM. More information to come!

Meet Quick

Gifts for animal lovers

Julie Forlenza, a former teacher at IS 7, PS 62, and principal at Woof and Tails Lodge took action after Hurricane Ian to help animals in shelters. She is the owner of Black dog portrait. Her passion for helping animals is exceptional. Check her out Facebook or Instagram.

Stellar Villa is a New York City-based artist who recently raised over $11,500 for pet shelters after she single-handedly created 1,252 custom pieces of art of people’s pets over 21 days. Now she works to create ongoing partnerships with local animal shelters to continue raising funds. If you’re looking for a gift for a dog lover, check it out Stellars work.

A big life for mate is a children’s book written and illustrated by Sophia Di Meglio. It gives children a light-hearted look at an exceptional dog and teaches them about growing older, belonging and the fact that loss is a natural part of life.

Meet Niedo and Nilla

Ongoing

1. Low-cost or free spay and neuter: The ASPCA’s free and low-cost mobile spay and neuter van travels through the five boroughs in each borough.

Low-income pet owners in the five boroughs with proof of public assistance such as welfare, Medicaid, Medicare, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), disability, food stamps, TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) or public housing qualify for free spay and neuter services for their cat or dog. If you have a pit bull, pit bull mix, or certain large breed dogs, it’s also free.

For the exact times the van will be in your area, as well as instructions for previews, visits aspca.org/pet-care/spayneuteror call 877-SPAY-NYC (877-772-9692).

2. Apply for a dog license. Save time and postage by applying online. For an application or more information, visit nyc.gov/doglicense. See the flyer in the gallery above.

Hiking trails

Dog friendly parks

· Allison Park, off-leash area, the field at the end of the trail bordering Prospect Avenue, Sailors Snug Harbor Cemetery and the pond

· Amundsen Trail, disconnected area, between Amboy Road and Hylan Boulevard

· Arthur Von Briesen Park, detached area, lawn, middle of the park on the right

· Bloomingdale Park, dog run, Maguire Avenue behind athletic fields closer to Ramona Avenue

· Clove Lakes Park, off-leash area, the open field above the picnic area near Royal Oak Road and Rice Avenue

· Clove Lakes Park, off-leash area, Brookside Avenue between Alpine Court and Kingsley Avenue (lawn)

· Clove’s Tail Park, off-leash area, lawn, corner of Victory Boulevard and Little Clove Road

· Conference House Park, dog yard, Clermont Avenue and Massachusetts Street

· Cozzens Woods Park, Detached Area, Page Avenue between Hylan Boulevard and Amboy Road

· Crescent Beach Park, off-leash area, Tennyson Drive and Glover Avenue; located on the meadow area that leads to the beach

· Evergreen Park, disconnected area, Greaves Avenue and Evergreen Street

· Father Macris Park, off-leash area, lawn beyond ball field

· Ida Court Playground, dog run, Ida Court between North Railroad Street and Drumgoole Road East

· Lemon Creek Park, detached area, at the bottom of Seguine Avenue at Johnston Terrace; just below the playground

· Siedenburg Park, disconnected area, Greaves Avenue and Evergreen Street

· Silver Lake Park, dog run, Victory Boulevard below the pavilion, across from Parkview Apartments

· South Beach Park, laid-back area. Note: On sand only after Labor Day and before Memorial Day

· Willowbrook Park, off-leash area, Archery Range Field

· Wolfe’s Pond Park, dog run, left of Cornelia Avenue

For more information on rules and regulations, visit nycgovparks.org/facilities/dogareas.

Dogs are not allowed in any swimming facilities, including those on New York beaches. However, from October 1 to May 1, leashed dogs are allowed on the sand and boardwalk at Midland Beach and South Beach.

For more information on rules and regulations, visit nycgovparks.org/facilities/dogareas.

Pet Poison Helplines

If you believe your pet may have ingested a potentially toxic substance, contact the Pet Poison Hotline at 855-764-7661 or petpoisonhelpline.comor contact the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at 888-426-4435 or aspca.org.

As the seasons change, consider the plants that are poisonous to animals: https://www.rover.com/blog/poisonous-plants/

To report animal cruelty

To report an incident of animal cruelty, call Crime Stoppers at 800-577-TIPS or visit www.nypdcrimestoppers.com.

Environmental protection

To contact an environmental law enforcement officer or report suspected violations, contact the DEC Law Enforcement Dispatch Center at 844-DEC-ECOS (844-332-3267) or dec.ny.gov/