SWEETCHARITY: Anthony's Ride For Shelter Pets

By Jessica Mackin

Anthony and Donny will be among the guests honored at the Pet Hero Awards on Saturday. Rock & Rawhide, the charity that helps increase adoption levels of dogs and cats in shelters, launched a national campaign to help drive adoptions and support of local animal shelters across the country, "Anthony's Ride for Shelter Pets." Harkening back to the days of Route 66 and how Americans used to drive awareness of issues from town to town, "Anthony's Ride for Shelter Pets" took Rock & Rawhide volunteer, and Marine Corps Veteran, Anthony L. Ungaro, from New York to Los Angeles on his 2007 Harley-Davidson FXDB Dyna Bob. Ungaro, a 29-year-old Brooklyn native, combined his love for motorcycle riding with his desire to help animals. He served for eight years in the U.S. Marine Corps, including a deployment to Iraq during the 2004 Battle of Fallujah, before returning home and finding love with his red-nosed pit bull Donny. According to Ungaro, "I attribute my successful transition from the military to college, to the positive experiences and responsibilities that come with having a pet in the family." His motorcycle trip spanned over 4,000 miles, covering 14 states. From New York City to Los Angeles the ride took place from July 30 to August 14. The third annual Pet Hero Awards will take place at Jewel and Robert Morris' Hobby Hill Estate in Water Mill to benefit the Pet Philanthropy Circle. The event takes place from 5 to 7:30 PM. Other honorees include Prince Lorenzo Borghese, Jean Shafiroff, Amanda Hearst, Georgina Bloomberg, Andy Sabin, William Berloni, Dr. David T. Crouch, and Brittany and Ariel Lavalle. For tickets and more info visit www.petphilanthropycircle.com/tickets or call Linda B. Shapiro at 631-725-2023 or email lbspro@optonline.net.

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