Every year, the Mayor’s Alliance for NYC’s Animals, along with participating animal rescue organizations throughout the five boros, present the city’s single largest Adoption event in Washinton Square Park. And … it’s tomorrow! Come join us at this year’s Adoptapalooza!

The weather looks beautiful, and there will be over a hundred adoptable cats and dogs, like Monty, pictured to the left. Come for the raffle prizes (we added something to the mix too!), the entertainment, the sheer fun of being in the park on a sunny day with tons of animals!

(If you are interested in adopting Monty, a healthy and happy 5 month old lab mix, text Lindsay – she’s our Bed-Stuy walker and foster supermom! 631-295-013-three) )

ProspectBArk is also pleased to announce the launch of our New Leash on Life Adoption Support Program. If you adopt a cat or dog from a rescue or shelter, pB will provide you with a free month of dog walks or $100 of free cat sitting service. It’s a big deal taking in a new family member, and it can be overwhelming at times. Let our expertise help you through this time as you and your new pet adjust.

It’s our way of saying “Thanks!” for giving someone a New Leash on Life!

NEWS FLASH! “MamaBear” is in a safe, warm place tonight! When our client Elizabeth of PLG reached out for help this afternoon, ProspectBArk dispatched an APB to our list of over 400 clients, walkers and friends. Within a few hours, over fifty emails and calls came flooding in to support Elizabeth and the poor female pit she was sitting by in the Parade Grounds of Prospect Park. By 5:30 pm, our network of caring animal lovers had found a place to bring her for the night.

She is now in the loving care of Animal Haven, a Manhattan-based nonprofit animal rescue which places abandoned cats and dogs from all over the tri-state area. If you or anyone you know has room in their home and heart for a loveable, non-aggressive, young pit, please refer them to Animal Haven.

I’ll post an update on Mama Bear’s condition tomorrow.

Thank you everyone, for your support, and THANK YOU ELIZABETH for being so amazing.

All our Walkers work hard every day, braving the wind, rain, and a whole host of dog-walking challenges on the mean streets of Brooklyn. However, each month we feature one person who rises above the storm, above and beyond the call of (doggie) duty — above all others.  This month, that Walker is Michael, our man in Prospect-and-Crown Heights. Though he is a relatively new addition to the Team, Michael has proven himself to be one of the most compassionate and hardworking people we know.  His positive attitude and devotion to the company make him this month’s MVP!

pB: Michael, what’s your favorite part about walking dogs for a living, and how did you wind up with pB?

Michael: My favorite part of the job so far is when I’ve been able to win over a more challenging pooch.  Don’t get me wrong, I love the natural born sweethearts to pieces – but there has been something particularly rewarding when having to earn the trust and affection.

And I ended up at pB the best way possible – through the kind referral of a previous MVP!

Michael: Oh, I would say more so! For one thing it has introduced me to breeds I had never had any personal interaction with before. Just as an example – who knew how much I’d love Pit Bulls?  Not me before pB.

For me the biggest challenge is the same as with any job – and I’ve had many from film and TV production to corporate database coordinating – and that’s mustering my start-of-the-day initiative.  By the time I arrive at my first walk I’m flying smooth though, and the dogs have a huge role in this.  My time with them is simply more rewarding than past jobs have been, and everyday is guaranteed to be different!

Michael: Well, I can’t seem to get over their instinct to roll around in the grass.  Something about that expression of glee always makes me crack up!

Michael: Patience is indeed the key.  Look, we all have our quirks and we all have them for a reason.  I just remind myself that for some of these pups we don’t even know what their early experiences consisted of.  Sympathy is much more productive than judgement in such cases.

Michael: That’s an easy one. Always remember that your first priority is the animal, and not just safety (which is a given) but general best interests – regardless of the weather, your own mood, etc.

pB: What else do you do, when you’re not walkin’ those dogs? Who IS Michael Schiff?

Michael: Michael Schiff is first and foremost a lover of all things creative.  I majored in film and am always in the midst of writing a screenplay.  I also adore theater, music, dance, and the fine arts - and seek to surround myself with people involved in or at least passionate for these things.  I also place a great deal of stock in remaining genuine (which, incidentally, is a big plus amongst canines and felines alike). Being genuine doesn’t always go hand-in-hand with professionalism, as many of us know far too well, but I find it incredibly interesting to constantly pursue a reconciliation between the two.  I’ll save my political and existential beliefs for another interview!  )

It’s a new year, baby! …and we’ve started it out with a BIG HUGE BANG. At the beginning of this month, we merged with Petato Dog Walking and Pet Sitting, a local pet care company that has one of the best, longest-standing reputations in the biz. Started over five years ago by Steve DeBono, Petato’s roster has grown from one happy dog in Fort Greene to over fifty throughout Park Slope, Prospect Heights and Fort Greene. Garnering 5 stars on Brooklyn’s Citysearch, Petato brings us their extremely solid work ethic, expertise, and…most of all…some of the most dedicated dog walkers and cat lovers in Brooklyn!

Now, I’m pretty lucky with TeamBArk… Who else but Amy, Matt, Natasha, Max, Sam and Nancy could take such great care of all our pets? I scour Brooklyn looking for pet professionals, folks who don’t just “love animals”, but are also reliable, ethical, punctual and communicative. Petato’s walkers and sitters are of the same high caliber, and you’ll be hearing more about Gina, Rachel B, Jenna, Rachel L, and David as I add their profiles to our TeamBArk page. And the best part? I’ve been working closely over the past month with Heidi Ryti, Petato’s manager and in-house trainer, who is not only a great gal but one of the hardest workers I know. Who else is fielding emails and calls on Christmas Day? Working on her birthday? (well, besides me

Stay tuned for the wonderful changes and improvements this will bring to ProspectBArk. I envision a community of happy, spoiled dogs, borough-wide. I envision the most capable and conscientious pet care Team hitting the streets every day to pamper your pets. And I envision doggie biscuits…lots of doggie biscuits!

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