Diana Algarin awarded Citizen of the Month

Orange County Executive Steven M. Neuhaus has named Diana Algarin as March’s Citizen of the Month Award recipient.

Algarin was recognized for her work as owner of Bleu’s K9 Rescue Inc., a non-profit volunteer-based rescue organization that takes in all breeds of dogs and finds families to adopt them.

“Diana’s kindness and compassion has had a positive impact on hundreds of dogs in Orange County,” Neuhaus said. “I thank her for her commitment to supporting vulnerable animals and raising awareness about the challenges that they face, which has inspired many families to adopt them. I am proud to recognize Diana for her efforts to match adoptable dogs with families. It is a win, win!”

Algarin founded Bleu’s in January of 2017 and named it after a dog that she had adopted. Bleu’s is a foster-based rescue, meaning they do not have a physical shelter. Each dog they take in goes to a foster home until they are adopted.

She focuses on teaching the dogs proper behavior so that when they are adopted, they have a less stressful transition. The organization has found homes for more than 250 dogs in its six years as a rescue. The rescued dogs come from the City of Newburgh, other local municipalities, or people who must surrender their dogs for a variety of reasons.

Algarin said she has been an animal lover since she was young and has been volunteering at animal shelters for 15 years. She opened Bleu’s to make life better for the lives of homeless dogs. Rescuing and rehabilitating these dogs has become her life’s work, and she said that it is gratifying and rewarding to see them adopted by loving families.

Algarin hopes to someday open her own sanctuary for rescue dogs. She lives in the Town of Montgomery with her husband, Dan, and two children, Lucas, 12, and Braden, 14.

“I consider myself lucky to be able to do this every day and I couldn’t do it without my family and the volunteers,” Algarin said. “I have always been passionate about helping dogs. They may be homeless and voiceless, but they are generally loving and good. For me, it is all about helping the dogs from start to finish, and making their next chapter in life the best it can be.”

For more about Bleu’s K9 Rescue, email Algarin at bk9rescue@gmail.com.

Neuhaus introduced his Citizen of the Month Award, which acknowledges outstanding Orange County residents, in January of 2017. To nominate someone for the Citizen of the Month Award, email ceoffice@orangecountygov.com or mail a letter to “Citizen of the Month” at 255-275 Main Street Goshen, N.Y. 10924. Be sure to include the nominee’s name, hometown, a list of their accomplishments, why you are nominating them and any other pertinent information.