Share your space with an adorable animal | Adopt a pet: Sept. 11-12

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Have you ever wondered how tabby cats get their stripes? Scientists and cat owners alike have long wondered how and why some have stripes and others do not.

“Tabby” isn’t a breed; it’s a distinct fur pattern common among cats. Tabby cats often have what looks like a letter “M” on their forehead, plus bold stripes of varying designs in their fur. Scientists believe the stripes come from their direct ancestor, the Near Eastern wildcat. The classic tabby’s coat can consist of dots, stripes, swirls and even more distinctive patterns.

A study recently published by Natures Communications found that the stripes are activated in embryonic skill cells even before the cat’s fur has developed.

There are four main types of tabby cats:

Spotted tabby: The spotted tabby is an exotic bread. Unlike other tabby cats with stripes and swirls, the spots are typically all over the body with them closer together on the legs.

Mackerel tabby: The mackerel tabby is the most popular domestic short-haired cat. Distinguishing a mackerel tabby is quite easy. Usually, there is one thick stripe that lines the entire back of the cat. From there, the vertical pattern of stripes runs along the cat.

Ticked tabby: Ticked tabby cats are a bit more difficult to distinguish. They don’t look like other tabby cats. The Moggie and Abyssinian breeds do not show the typical patterns on their body. Their hair carries a black pigment that forms patterns but is hard to see.

Classic (blotched) tabby: The blotched tabby has random patterns and strips along its body, sometimes forming a swirl-like pattern.

Meet Face and Honeybee …

ADOPTION EVENTS

Thanks to the volunteers who are devoted to helping these animals get adopted by loving families like you. It takes a significant amount of time and dedication to volunteer at the animal rescues listed below.

Before adopting a new fur friend, volunteers organize pet events every week in and around the borough, send out announcements, hold fundraisers, help with supplies, clean cages, feed animals, make sure a pet’s medical needs are attended to and so much more. All of this is done without pay, all for love, and behind the scenes.

If you are looking to adopt, please remember that there are loving senior and disabled pets who need your care and attention, too.

If you’re unable to adopt, please consider volunteering, donating or fostering, or sharing this page with someone who can.

Upcoming pet events in and around the borough are listed below, along with local places to eat with your dog and dog-friendly parks on Staten Island. Click through the photos above to meet the adorable dogs and cats up for adoption this weekend.

Sept. 11

• SICAW will be at PetSmart, 1525 Forest Ave., from 1 to 4 p.m.

Sept. 12

• SICAW will be at Bricktown Commons Petco, 165 Bricktown Way, Suite 1C, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

GIFTS FOR ANIMAL LOVERS

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 the course of 21 days. Now, she is working to create ongoing partnerships with local animal shelters to continue raising money. If you’re looking for a gift for a dog lover, check out Stellar’s work.

EVERY TUESDAY

Do you love dogs? Do you love beer? Then fetch a cold one at the Flagship Brewing Co.’s Dog Club. The club will meet every Tuesday at 7 p.m. in the Flagship Brewery taproom, 40 Minthorne St. off Bay Street.

The Flagship’s Dog Club is for that special breed of dog and beer lovers who can bring their (well-behaved) pups to the meetings. Once a month, there will be a guest speaker to talk about their own specialty or knowledge regarding the welfare of their treasured, loyal friends.

For more information, visit https://www.restaurantji.com/ny/staten-island/the-flagship-brewing-company-/ or call 718-448-5284.

ONGOING

1. Low-cost or free spay and neuter: The ASPCA’s free and low-cost mobile spay and neuter van travels throughout the five boroughs in every neighborhood.

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/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 exact times the van will be in your area as well as pre-visit instructions, visit aspca.org/pet-care/spayneuter or 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. View the flyer in the gallery above.

HOW TO CONTACT LOCAL RESCUE GROUPS

• Animal Care Centers of NYC; 212-788-4000, nycacc.org; located at 3139 Veterans Road West. Adoption hours: Monday-Friday, noon to 8 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Fur Friends in Need, New Jersey-based group with Staten Island members and adoption events on the Island; 732-829-1426, imavegge@aol.com, furfriendsinneed.com.
• Happy Homes Animal Rescue, New Jersey-based group with Staten Island adoption events; 914-393-8292, elaine@happyhomesinc.org, tina@happyhomesinc.org; happyhomesinc.org.
• Louie’s Legacy; 646-397-LLAR (5527), newyork@louieslegacy.org, louieslegacy.org.
• Mama Chris Animal Rescue Inc.; 347-983-2240, mamachrisrescue@gmail.com, mamachrisrescue.org.
• New York Bully Crew; 844-633-NYBC (6922), nybcapp@gmail.com, nybullycrew.org.
• P.L.U.T.O. Rescue of Staten Island; 718-227-0553, plutorescue@aol.com, plutorescue.org. Please note: P.L.U.T.O. is working with and promoting the adoption of animals from the Associated Humane Society in Newark, N.J.
• Staten Island Council for Animal Welfare (SICAW); 718-948-5623, sicawsaves.org.
• Staten Island Hope Animal Rescue; info@statenislandhoperescue.org, statenislandhopeanimalrescue.org, 800-477-9168.
• Victory for the Voiceless Animal Rescue; 718-442-1625, AdoptVictory4theVoiceless@gmail.com, victory4thevoicelessanimalrescue.com

ALFRESCO DINING WITH YOUR DOG

Alfresco dining is temporarily suspended due to the coronavirus outbreak.

· Angelina’s Ristorante, 339 Ellis St., Tottenville, 718-227-2900

· The Burrito Bar, 585 Forest Ave., West Brighton, 718-815-9200

· Ciro Pizza Café, 862 Huguenot Ave., Huguenot, 718-605-0620

· Killmeyer’s Old Bavaria Inn, 4254 Arthur Kill Rd., Charleston, 718-984-1202

· Shake Shack, Staten Island Mall, 2655 Richmond Ave., New Springville, 929-529-0513

· Silver Lake Golf Course, 915 Victory Blvd., Silver Lake, 718-442-4653

Call ahead for reservations. For more information, check out NYC Dogs in restaurant rules.

DOG-FRIENDLY PARKS

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

· Amundsen Trail, off-leash area, between Amboy Road and Hylan Boulevard.

· Arthur Von Briesen Park, off-leash area, lawn area, mid-park on the right side.

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

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

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

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

· Conference House Park, dog run, Clermont Avenue and Massachusetts Street.

· Cozzens Woods Park, off-leash area, Page Avenue between Hylan Boulevard and Amboy Road.

· Crescent Beach Park, off-leash area, Tennyson Drive and Glover Avenue. Located at meadow area leading to beach.

· Evergreen Park, off-leash area, Greaves Avenue and Evergreen Street.

· Father Macris Park, off-leash area, lawn beyond ballfield.

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

· Lemon Creek Park, off-leash area, bottom of Seguine Avenue at Johnston Terrace; just below playground.

· Siedenburg Park, off-leash area, Greaves Avenue and Evergreen Street.

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

· South Beach Park, off-leash area. Note: On sand after Labor Day and before Memorial Day.

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

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

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

BEACHES AND BATHING FACILITIES

Dogs are not allowed to enter any bathing facilities, including New York City beaches. However, from Oct. 1 through May 1, leashed dogs are allowed on the sand and boardwalk at Midland Beach and South Beach.

Leashed dogs are allowed on the boardwalk/promenade at Midland Beach and South Beach.

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

PET POISON HELPLINES

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

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

TO REPORT ANIMAL CRUELTY

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

ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION

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