NYC: Helping more furry friends find a home

Helping more furry friends find a home
by AnnMarie Costella, Chronicle Reporter
04/15/2010


Pearl, a 6-year-old pit bull, is just one pet up for adoption. PHOTO COURTESY ALLIANCE FOR NYC ANIMALS

More shelter animals will have a chance to find a loving home thanks to a hefty donation by the ASPCA to increase adoptions across the city.
The $1 million grant was awarded Monday to the Mayor’s Alliance for New York City Animals, a coalition of more than 160 groups and shelters that work with Animal Care and Control to rescue and care for abandoned pets.

“Through the alliance we’re able to pool resources, overcome differences in priorities and facilitate the collaboration of four key groups — the public, local government, Animal Care and Control of New York City, local no-kill shelters and rescue groups — to work toward the problem of animal homelessness,” Jane Hoffman, president of the mayor’s alliance, said in a statement.
The ASPCA, which is a founding member of the mayor’s group, initially pledged $5 million in 2005, which was distributed in $1 million increments until it ran out in 2009.

“This new grant demonstrates a further commitment by the ASPCA to support the life-saving programs of the Mayor’s Alliance,” Steve Gruber, a spokesman for the group, said Monday.
The Mayor’s Alliance will use the funds to continue to increase adoptions, transfer at-risk animals to no-kill rescue organizations and provide low and no-cost spaying and neutering services to low-income pet owners.

In 2009, the ASPCA transferred 1,153 cats and dogs from ACC shelters to its adoption center in Manhattan and spayed and neutered more than 31,000 cats and dogs in its five mobile clinics.
Gruber encourages everyone who is considering getting a pet to think adoption first. “Every adoption saves a life,” he said. “These animals are so grateful to be given a second chance.”

Queens Chronicle - Helping more furry friends find a home