Nearly seven months after Hurricane Sandy, local shelters are still scrambling to find loving homes for scores of dogs and cats — including some left to die in abandoned houses.
“We need people to open up their homes and hearts,” says Trish Lane, who runs the Facebook page Hurricane Sandy Lost and Found Pets. “These animals have been through enough. Sitting at a shelter month after month is not a way to live.”
At least 76 hurri-canines and kitties are awaiting adoption in the tri-state area, according to nearly 30 rescue groups in the city and Long Island interviewed by The Post.
And animal guardians predict that there are dozens, if not hundreds, more four-legged survivors out there in need of homes. Meet six:
Shadow
His owners left him to die in their Staten Island house during the storm, and when he survived, they took him to the vet to euthanize him. Luckily, a rescuer stepped in to save the 7-year-old pit bull. Sue Cappetta, one of his caretakers, says he defies stereotypes about the breed. “He’s a great family dog,” she enthuses. “Pit bulls have a bad rap, and his odds of finding a perfect home are tough. But we’re not giving up on him.” For adoption information, go to facebook.com/SaveMeImShadowThePitbullCantYouHelp.
Hootch
Christine Drakatos with the Far Rockaway Rescue Project is desperately looking for homes for this loving 4-year-old American Staffordshire Terrier and his pit bull buddy Ruby (not pictured). She found the two dogs in a deserted house in the Rockaways weeks after the storm. “They were left behind,” said Drakatos. “They deserve a second chance.” For adoption information, go to facebook.com/Heavenly-AngelsAnimalRescue.
Tuna
This 2-year-old tuxedo cat is one of five felines in need of a home at Infinite Hope Rescue in Boerum Hill. Little Tuna is a survivor — the other cat she was living with drowned in the storm. For adoption information, go to infinitehopeonline.org.
Tyler
A neighbor found this little kitten dirty and covered in debris in Brighton Beach after the hurricane struck. Just 10 months old, Tyler is sweet, shy and loves playing with toys and other cats. For adoption information, go to bbawc.org.
Brady
This sweet 4-year-old pit bull was abandoned and found roaming the streets of Islip, covered in bug bites and without a collar, tags or microchip. “There are plenty of people who used the storm to purposely lose their dogs,” says Venessa Rotondi of the Islip Animal Shelter. “Now he’s on his way to a better life.” For adoption information, go to facebook.com/IslipAnimals.
Buddy
After losing their Howard Beach house, the owners of this handsome 5-year-old Rhodesian Ridgeback-shepherd mix put him in boarding. But in January, they were no longer able to afford it and had to surrender him. Buddy is a bit shy and misses his former family. For adoption information, go to bobbiandthestrays.org.
pets@nypost.com