Newark Shelter Safeguards Huge Puppy For COVID-Stricken Family

NEWARK, NJ — After his family members tested positive for the coronavirus, New Jersey resident Julio Bandayrel found himself grappling with an awful reality: he wouldn’t be able to take care of his huge, Newfoundland puppy, Mamba.

Now, more than two months after he made the gut-wrenching decision to surrender his dog to the Associated Humane Societies shelter in Newark, Bandayrel and Mamba are once again back together.

Here’s how the heartwarming reunion unfolded, shelter staff told Patch.

After learning about his family’s medical needs, Assistant Executive Director Ken McKeel and Bandayrel struck a deal. Instead of making Mamba available for adoption, the shelter would give the down-on-his-luck doggo a temporary home until things took a turn for the better.

When Mamba arrived at the AHS-Newark facility, he was given several sanitizing baths, then set up in his new digs. He quickly became a favorite among staff and volunteers, many of whom had never seen a Newfoundland before.

Eventually, a foster family took in the “exuberant” Mamba so he could get a chance to stretch his legs and live puppy life to the fullest. But he never forgot his forever family … and they never forgot him.

Last week, Bandayrel came to the shelter to take back ownership of his furry pal. It was every bit as emotionally fulfilling as expected, shelter staff said.

“This moment has been a long time in the making,” McKeel said.

“We could not, in good conscience, adopt Mamba to another home when it was so obvious that Julio and his family loved this pup so much,” McKeel explained. “This was the right thing to do.”

“My siblings and I would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to the Associated Humane Society for taking our fur baby, Mamba, into your shelter,” Bandayrel said. “We truly appreciate your excellent care during those weeks that my siblings fell incapacitated due to COVID-19.”

“You protected Mamba and provided him with the utmost care like he was your own,” Bandayrel added.

• See related article: Newark Animal Shelter Brings Dogs To Hospital, Pure Joy Ensues

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