Mission Statement

Mission Statement

New Yorkers for Clean, Livable and Safe Streets is a 501(c)4 non-profit animal welfare and advocacy organization committed to improving the quality of life for residents and animals of the City of New York. NYCLASS is currently devoted to ending the inhumane practice of the carriage horse industry and promoting a clean and safe alternative to this outdated tradition. In addition, NYCLASS actively participates in other animal-related issues of importance in New York City.

Our Focus – Horse Carriages

The existence of horse carriages in Manhattan has been a controversial matter for many years. Horses and pedestrians alike have been severely and sometimes fatally injured, while the quality of life and safety of many New Yorkers 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.