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It took some shaving and snipping to get Jose ready for summer.

“We call this the first-grader cut,” said Jose’s owner Zak Williams. “Because he looks pretty sharp. Kind of like the first day of school kind of thing.”

But it wasn’t just for style or to beat the heat that had Jose sporting the summer ‘do. He was participating in the Guys and Dogs Shave Off, and all his hair is going to help soak up oil in the Gulf.

“We’re collecting all the hair that we're shaving off from dogs – and from people – and donating it to an organization called Matter of Trust. This organization is using the hair to help clean up the oil spill,” explained Priti Punjabi, owner of Dog Addiction and the New Yorker of the Week. “Hair naturally absorbs oil, which is why you might notice that every couple of days your hair gets a little greasy and you have to wash it. So it’s a real natural way to absorb this oil and it’s biodegradable.”

Since dog day care and grooming spot Dog Addiction, and hair salon Woodley and Bunny, kicked off the program in May, they have collected more than 15 pounds of hair.

“They’re able to make these bundles called booms and set it into the water and absorb the oil and help protect it from going into outer areas,” said Erin Anderson, salon owner and New Yorker of the Week.

As an incentive to get more people to donate, the organizers are offering major discounts on services and even free days of doggie daycare.

Participant Tom Williams says he’s just glad to have an opportunity to help the Gulf in a tangible way.

“It’s nice to be able to be a part of the solution instead of just being upset about it,” Williams said.

And organizers agree.

“We’re in New York City, actually we’re in Brooklyn, and you can actually be physically involved in what’s happening. We just want to do our part,” said Anderson.

So for giving New Yorkers -- and their furry friends -- a way to help all the creatures of the Gulf Coast, the organizers of the Guys and Dogs Shave Off are the New Yorkers of the Week.

For more information on the effort, go to DogAddiction.com or MatterOfTrust.org.

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