Find Love at the Pets4Luv Animal Rescue / Valentine's Day Weekend Grand Opening (Feb. 11-13th)

STORE, FIRST OF ITS KIND ON LONG ISLAND, REPRESENTS A "NEW ERA" IN HAVING MALLS HOUSE RESCUE GROUPS – AND NOT PET STORES PUSHING "PUPPY AND KITTEN MILL" ANIMALS

New Facility at the Westfield Sunrise Mall Will Feature Animal Expert David Bernacchi, Noted for Taking On Difficult Rescues

MASSAPEQUA, N.Y., Feb. 10, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Warm up your Valentine's Day at the Pets4Luv Grand Opening in Massapequa's Westfield Mall this weekend.  Reporters and photographers can stop by the group's large, visually attractive Cat Room.  Dogs and other pets will also be featured.

"This is the start of a 'new era' – to eliminate puppy and kitten mill stores that sell animals from malls and replace them with rescue groups in the malls," said David Bernacchi, Pets4Luv's founder and a lifelong Long Islander. "Thousands of totally adoptable animals are euthanized each year.  We rescue animals that otherwise would have no hope.  To our knowledge, it's the first store of its kind on Long Island and one of only two known locations in New York State."

Bernacchi is particularly noted for tackling tough rescues – e.g., Rainman, 3 (dumped in front of the Bay Shore Petco) and Isabella, 4 (given over by a couple with eight felines).  The two have Cerebellar, a condition that affects walking.  These cats might have been put down by many other owners.  Bernacchi wants to find them a special home – particularly, if possible, in a household with a physically challenged child or family member.

The Valentine's Day event will offer DJs, special rescue guests -- and a real clown from Ringling Brothers on Saturday.  The hours are Saturday 10 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Monday 10 a.m to 9:30 p.m.  Address: 1 Westfield Sunrise Mall, Near Macy's, Massapequa, N.Y. 11758, (516) 798-4040.

To cover the story, contact Bernacchi at (516) 860-7057 or [email protected].  Pets4Luv is a recognized 501 c(3) not-for-profit rescue that accepts donations at its web site, www.pets4luv.org.  It can be seen on Facebook at Pets4Luv Foundation. 

Not possible to adopt?  Speak with Bernacchi about fostering pets, volunteering, monetary donations, or donations of animal supplies (a great "giving lesson" for kids)!

SOURCE Pets4Luv Foundation