Lynn Redgrave and Animal Haven in Queens Tribune

STAR POWER BACKS ANIMAL FUND-RAISER By LISA FLANZRAICH

Esteemed actress Lynn Redgrave found true love at Animal Haven, Queens’s well-established, no-kill animal shelter, when she met and adopted Viola, her Irish wolfhound mix back in 2003.

“It was love at first sight from the moment I saw her,” said the Golden Globe Winner, Tony Award and Oscar nominee. “I was thinking of getting a dog. I was going to chemo for breast cancer and feeling run down. Why put it off? ” Redgrave said.

Then an Animal Haven brochure arrived in her mailbox. Its upstate sanctuary and rehabilitation center impressed her. She went to the shelter’s homepage and sent an e-mail describing her dream dog. Redgrave wanted a female who would have the right kind of temperament, especially for her grandchildren. “About one hour later, I got a call from Marcello.” she said. “I think we found your dog,” said Marcello Forte, Animal Haven’s executive director.

At that time, the shelter had a store on 44th Street, which has since moved to a much larger adoption boutique, and training center in SoHo.

“She was lying asleep on the stomach of a German Shepherd.” Redgrave said.

Redgrave asked the German Shepherd if she wanted to be her dog.

“And then she lay in my lap and snuggled and that was it,” Redgrave said. “She’s been the most wonderful companion.”

Redgrave named her dog, Viola, after the shipwrecked heroine in “Twelfth Night.” Now the acclaimed British-born actress, who has performed in such plays as “Mrs. Warren’s Profession,” “Company,” ”Nightingale” (which she wrote), as well as such films as “Georgy Girl,” “Gods and Monsters,” Kinsey,” and the current “The Jane Austen Book Club,” has won Animal Haven’s Florence Brenner Award.

“It is given to someone or organization who makes a difference in the humane world,” said Forte.

On Sunday, Oct. 21, Redgrave, along with Anne Craig of Good Day New York and Lin Randolph will be honored at the shelter’s 40th Anniversary Luncheon.

“Lynn Redgrave has always been supportive of the organization,” Forte said. “She’s a really good example of someone who not only acknowledges the bond between animal and owner, but also of someone giving within your means to support the cause.”

Aptly coined the “Going Home” Luncheon, Animal Haven has been serious about finding quality homes for homeless cats and dogs since 1967 when it was founded by a group of dedicated women who wanted to help abandoned and stray animals.

The shelter’s mission is based on the no-kill concept of giving safe haven to cats and dogs and providing lifelong care for them if they could not be adopted.

“It was an innovative idea,” Animal Haven President Anne McKenna said.

Originally located in Hollis, the shelter moved in 1978 to a three-story house at 35-22 Prince St. in downtown Flushing.

About 25 dogs and 200 cats are cared for by a warm, youthful, and friendly staff, who welcomes potential pet parents and visitors into a brightly lit and cheerfully-painted reception area. A cadre of approximately 200 volunteers, who socialize kittens, walk and train dogs, staff events, among many other activities, are vital to the shelter’s success.

Except for kittens and cats with special needs, felines are allowed to saunter about freely in windowed, cage-free quarters. Instead of living in cages, dogs reside in rooms.

While Redgrave’s allegiance to Animal Haven began when she adopted Viola, she also admires Forte for his tireless commitment to animals and the pet-loving community.

“Marcello is remarkable. He found me a dog so quickly,” Redgrave said. “He has built that place up.”

Forte has given visibility to the grass-roots organization since he came on board in 2001. Formerly, a speech pathologist, Forte agrees he can give a voice to orphan cats and dogs.

”I saw a significant need for Animal Haven to grow and affect more lives,” Forte said.

The beneficial role that pets play in our lives has been widely acknowledged in recent years. Redgrave attests to how grateful she is to her dog’s attention and devotion while she was healing from the effects of chemotherapy. Along with her daughter, Annabel Clark, Redgrave has written a memoir, “Journal: A Mother and Daughter’s Recovery from Breast Cancer.”

“My relationship with Viola is totally special because of the cancer,” Redgrave said. “It’s part of the recovery. Dogs are extremely sensitive to people with cancer. There may be only one person in the room with cancer and a dog will seek that person out.”

Animal Haven’s 40th Going Home Luncheon will take place on Sunday, Oct. 21, at noon, at Dante Caterers, 75-07 31st St., East Elmhurst. For more information, go to www.animalhavenshelter.org, call (718) 886-3683, or contact Tiffany Lacy at (917) 459-2422 or tiffanyl@ah-nyc.org.