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These beagles are new to the NFAWL. Their infectious energy keeps the staff and volunteers entertained. Photos by Ashley Wilbourn

Southold - As visitors walked through the doors of the North Fork Animal Welfare League (NFAWL) Saturday they were greeted by what could only be described as squawking. Gilbert, a parrot, was saying hello from his fully decorated birdcage hanging in the front lobby.

When they walked through the door to their left, they were greeted by Josephine, a cat. Laying in her own personal bed, tucked between the two doors, she eagerly waited guests of the shelter to bend down to pet her, showing her appreciation by offering up a deep purr.

Each of the cat rooms at the North Fork Animal Welfare League contain homes for the cats, blankets and toys. The cats also enjoy each other's company.

As visitors walk out the back door they are serenaded by the howls of the hounds - dogs of all shapes and sizes running in the sun, playing in their pens and hoping that today would be the day they'd go to their new forever homes. Champ, a large Neapolitan Mastiff - Labrador Retriever mix, eyed a prospective family walking by.

Saturday was a beautiful day. The sun was out. There was no rain or high winds or snow -- it was a down right practically warm for January. The day stood in stark contrast to many of the brutally cold January days that have challenged the pets, staff and volunteers of the shelter this winter.

Gillian Wood-Pultz, executive director of the NFAWL, recalls the two-foot snows of December 19 and 20th as if it was yesterday. “The wind piled the snow up on the west side of the building," she recalled. “There were eight-foot drifts in front of some of the doors, and some of the kennels were full to the top."

The NFAWL had planned their first holiday celebration in its new building for that weekend, but the driving, drifting snow quickly resulted in a change of plans. The party was cancelled as volunteers and staff rushed to the shelter to check on the animals.

Gilbert's birdcage is located in the lobby of the NFAWL. He greets every visitor when they walk in the door.

Nancy Peters, a long time volunteer at the shelter, said all she could think of that weekend was how thankful she was they were in the new building -- “a mansion" -- compared to the former facility.

In the new facility, there are three separate cat rooms - one usually used for kittens and two for adult cats. Each room is outfitted with multicolored crates filled with blankets for warmth and toys for play. Each resident dog has its own space as well, with an inside portion set up with blankets, food, water and toys. An outside kennel run is nearby for the dogs to enjoy a romp on warm days.

Caring for the canine and feline visitors is particularly involved during the wintry months. Wood-Pultz explained, “On the really cold days, all of the dogs have coats they wear before they go out. After we walk them, we wash their feet. We use environmentally safe salt here, but we realize that might not be what's on the road."

The winter season also brings with it worries of a volunteer and adopter shortage. Wood-Pultz noted many NFAWL volunteers are not full time residents of the North Fork as many return to Florida for the winter. In spite of community service volunteers, a cold North Fork winter can cause a shortage of volunteers who conduct necessary daily tasks.

Too, Wood-Pultz said the winter often coincides with a decline in the number of people looking to adopt dogs. “People will wait until spring to adopt puppies because of the house training, having to walk them in the cold and snow," she noted.

Luckily, this winter, despite the increased cold and snow, the NFAWL has seen helped a good deal of its temporary residents find their forever homes, Peters said. Tee, a mixed breed dog and long time resident of the shelter, recently found a home. Senior dog Angel did as well, along with Jesus, the iguana, and a variety of cats and kittens.

The high volume of snow piled against the dog pens at the NFAWL made it difficult for the staff to even get the animals out for their walks. Photo courtesy of NFAWL

Tierney Moll, a visitor of the NFAWL, said she immediately fell in love with Claudia, a pit bull terrier and boxer mix. An avid dog lover, Moll said she was impressed by the care the staff of the shelter provided. “They all seem really involved with each animal, knowing the personalities of each one, which is helpful to prospective adopters," Moll said.

“No matter how comfortable a shelter may try and make it for the animal, a home is always best and you have to think about the poor animals that are stuck there during the winter too," she added.

As Moll observed Claudia interacting with the other animals at the shelter, one lucky pup found his forever home. Champ, the Neapolitan Mastiff-Labrador mix, was adopted on Saturday. Staff members gave Champ his final shelter bath and prepared the excited dog for his new adventure.

The NFAWL is open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Sunday. Adopters, visitors and volunteers are always welcome, Wood-Pultz assured. There is a $75 fee for dog adoptions and a $60 fee for cat adoptions. The animals come fully vaccinated, spayed or neutered, de-wormed and micro-chipped.

For additional information call the shelter at 631-765-1811 or stop by 65 Peconic Lane in Peconic.