Mission Statement

Mission Statement

NYCLASS (New Yorkers for Clean, Livable and Safe Streets) is a 501(c)4 non-profit animal advocacy organization committed to ending the inhumane practices of the NYC carriage horse industry. NYCLASS advocates for retiring the carriage horses to sanctuary, while modernizing the current industry with a clean and safe alternative to this outdated tradition - the 21st Century Horseless Carriage. Founded in 2008 by a coalition of prominent animal lovers and business leaders, NYCLASS has grown to over 97,000 supporters with activist chapters in all five boroughs.

Our Focus – Horse Carriages

The existence of horse carriages in Manhattan has been a controversial matter for many years. Horses have been severely injured or killed, while the quality of life and safety of many New Yorkers and tourists have been jeopardized. A coalition of citizen activists and grassroots advocacy organizers has decided to finally take a stand to push for an alternative to the horse carriage industry. In deciding to finally put an end to New York’s horse carriages, NYCLASS studied four main aspects of the industry that are detrimental to the health, safety and sensibility of New Yorkers as well as disadvantageous for the City’s economic base: 1) The industry’s use of horses is clearly inhumane and an impractical remnant of a bygone era 2) The quality of life issues created by the use of horse-drawn carriages 3) The industry’s lack of economic development and revenue enhancing abilities for New York City 4) The use of horse-drawn carriages causes traffic congestion which has a harmful impact on our environment.

NYCLASS has established a strong relationship with the ASPCA to help with the surrender of New York City's approximately 220 carriage horses and give them permanent homes.  No horse surrendered to NYCLASS and the ASPCA will be auctioned for slaughter.