STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Thanks to the volunteers devoted to helping these animals get adopted by loving families like you.

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, ensure 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 want to adopt, please remember that there are loving senior and disabled pets who need your care and attention, too. I think older animals tug on people’s heartstrings.

Whether a 13-year-old tabby cat or a 10-year-old mix, each of them is individual and will have different needs. Some older animals might be young at heart and others may need a bit of extra help.

LOOKING AFTER A SENIOR PET

Keep an eye on their weight.

As older pets tend to rest more and exercise less they can become overweight fairly easily, which adds extra strain on old bones.

Consider a diet to suit their age.

Plenty of senior dog food and senior cat food brands are available on the market to ensure your pet has the right nutrients for healthy bones as it ages.

Sleeping is an important part of the day for any animal, and as older pets will sleep a little bit more than younger ones during the day it’s vital that they have a safe comfortable space to sleep, away from loud noises and distractions, and that any young children know to let them nap.

Adopting some form of regular exercise will also help to prevent your dog from getting too sedentary.

Meet Essense

GIFTS FOR ANIMAL LOVERS

Julie Forlenza, a former teacher at IS 7, P.S. 62, ring and run dog walkers, and manager at Woof and Tails Lodge, went into 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 on 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 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.

Weekly event: Animal Care Centers of New York City is open for adoptions of dogs, cats, guinea pigs and rabbits at 3139 Veterans Road West from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday to Sunday. For general information on adopting from ACC and other community-based programs through ACC please go to www.nycacc.org.

EVERY WEDNESDAY

Do you love dogs? Do you love beer? Then fetch a cold one at the Flagship Brewing Co.’s Dog Club. The club meets every Wednesday from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. in the Flagship Brewery taproom at 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.

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 the 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.

3. Fuzzy RX. Telehealth promotes veterinary health that is available 24/7. Vet chat on a one-to-one basis and get personalized treatment. They can connect with your veterinarians immediately for conditions that run the gamut of diarrhea, ear, physical, and skin issues.

AL FRESCO DINING WITH YOUR DOG

· 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, the 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, the 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 in the meadow area leading to the beach

· Evergreen Park, off-leash 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, off-leash area, the 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 only 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.

Dogs cannot 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 on 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/