The Animal Rescue Fund of the Hamptons (ARF Hamptons, www.arfhamptons.org) announced today that Richard Wells McCabe has made a commitment for a transformational gift to ARF. In recognition of this, one of the largest gifts in the rescue and adoption center’s history, ARF will name the new Richard Wells McCabe Welcome Center in his honor.
Coinciding with Mr. McCabe’s gift, ARF will begin a series of renovation and construction projects that have been in development for eight years. These critical improvements to its facilities will also provide ARF’s animals, staff, volunteers, and visitors with a state-of-the-art, welcoming environment for animal care and adoption. The project includes the renovation of ARF’s current Adoption Center/Lobby, to be reimagined as the Richard Wells McCabe Welcome Center. The new Richard Wells McCabe Welcome Center will be ARF’s central hub – the first experience adopters have when they visit ARF and the place where animals meet their forever families for the first time. In addition to this work, ARF will replace its original kennels, built in the 1980s, with a new building designed on ARF’s decades of experience, and ARF will construct a year-round indoor training facility. ARF’s catteries will be completely renovated and include custom-built cat features, and ARF will install shelter-specific HVAC systems throughout the campus. ARF’s Executive Director and CEO, Scott Howe, believes Mr. McCabe’s gift will launch ARF into a new era of growth and sustainability. “Mr. McCabe’s generosity to ARF will have a lasting legacy, in both the life of our organization and in the lives of thousands of animals and their families who will meet one another for the first time here,” says Mr. Howe. “His gift will be a catalyst, allowing us to expand our capacity to help families in need through difficult times of economic hardship, keeping pets in homes and out of shelters. His love for our community will enrich the lives of families and their pets for years to come, and I’m honored to be part of this watershed moment in ARF’s history.”
“We are inspired by Mr. McCabe’s love for animals and honored that ARF’s Welcome Center will bear his name,” says Katharine Rayner, Chair of ARF’s Board of Directors. “His commitment to ARF will transform how people and animals experience ARF and it will help us ensure a vibrant future for ARF for many years to come.”
Mr. McCabe has supported various causes in his lifetime, including HIV/AIDS, African American youth education and animal projects. His deep love for dogs, and the Hamptons community, moved him to make this remarkable gift. “Being a dog owner has given me the most pleasure in life. I can’t imagine living without a dog,” says Mr. McCabe. “It makes me very happy to be supporting ARF like this.” A Columbus, Ohio native, Mr. McCabe had a successful career in finance, politics, and public relations. Mr. McCabe retired early in his career, traveled the world, and spent time in Ft. Lauderdale, the Hamptons, and New York City. He has had a home in the Hamptons for more than 50 years. In addition to his love of dogs, Mr. McCabe feels his gift is a contribution to the Hamptons community. “My gift to ARF gives me more pleasure than you can imagine,” says Mr. McCabe. “I really wanted to make a difference for dogs and the Hamptons. I can’t imagine a better organization than ARF.”
The new Richard Wells McCabe Welcome Center will improve ARF’s overall visitor experience with a modern look, inclusive of a new glass entrance, finishes, and entry system to maximize openness. The space will be outfitted with retail, interview, meet-and-greet spaces, and puppy room. A portrait of Mr. McCabe will be placed inside the lobby as a special commemoration of his generosity.
The Animal Rescue Fund of the Hamptons’ mission is to actively rescue cats and dogs and provide quality care and sanctuary until loving homes can be found. Founded in 1974, ARF is a leading animal rescue and adoption center on Long Island, helping homeless cats and dogs on eastern Long Island and animals from communities across the country where adoptable animals face euthanasia in local shelters. The ARF Adoption Center is located in East Hampton.
