newjerseynewsroom.com

BY PAT SUMMERS

NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM

In an ideal world, there would be no homeless dogs. But as the prevalence of animal shelters and rescue groups makes all too clear, that world is still just a dream.

Thanks to an animal-loving staff member, the Trenton Thunder, the Double-A affiliate of the New York Yankees, is helping homeless dogs find homes. And although estimates vary, it's thought that around 25 dog adoptions have occurred each season because of the Thunder's "Dog of the Day" program, now in its third season.

Midway through the 2nd inning of each home game – 71 this year – two people and a dog take to the field. While they walk slowly from first to third base, information about the dog is announced over the PA system and goes up on the scoreboard.

Patience Purdy, a six-season Thunder employee, coordinates the Dog of the Day program. She heard it was happening in another state and liked the idea enough to run with it, including finding sponsorship and working out all the logistics. Over time, shelters and rescue groups have begun contacting her, instead of the opposite.

Purdy's advance planning includes contacting the shelters involved with reminders and ground rules, as well as securing each dog's name, traits and photo. She alerts them to parking in front of the stadium, specifies a grassy area for pre-game walking and reminds each shelter rep to bring "doggie clean up bags" in case of accidents.

"Our goal is to expose the public to the possibility and rewards of adoption," Purdy says.

But for many of the dogs involved, and others at the shelters they came from, the results are even better than that.

Even if people don't adopt a dog introduced at the ballpark, they may visit the shelter and choose another one. Purdy says she works with up to 20 different shelters and groups, so tracking's tough.

She doesn't always learn of adoptions connected with the Dog of the Day program, and shelter reps may not be told people first saw an adoptee or heard about the shelter at a Thunder game.

Purdy notes that another Thunder employee adopted two dogs of the day, and she knows of season ticket holders who have adopted from the program. Her own companion animal is a "rescue dog."

This year, the shelter reps who transport dogs to and from the stadium are asked to hang around for a while after their walk across the field – long enough for interested fans to meet the dog and ask questions about the adoption process.

Sometimes there's a social bonus for the visiting dog of the day: en route across the field, s/he may have a chance to say "hi" to Chase (as in "Chase That Golden Thunder"), the Thunder's Golden Retriever "spokesperson" and first-inning "batboy." His son, one-year old Derby, is in training at the park and may join the greetings.

NorthStar VETS, Veterinary Surgical and Diagnostic Specialists, sponsors the Thunder's "Dog of the Day" program. Now a comprehensive referral center in Clarksburg, NJ, it began in 2000 as a mobile surgery practice.

Purdy welcomes queries from area animal shelters about participating in the Dog of the Day program. She can be reached at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

She hopes to assure that "every dog has its day" – at home.