Statement from Mike McKeon: “What's said on this old, recycled tape that we believe investigators have had for years amounts to nothing more than advocates who care passionately about their cause contemplating changing their political allegiances to advance their heartfelt agenda and decrying the moral bankruptcy of our local government. What's wrong with that? Nothing at all. It's called political advocacy.”

METLIFE TOUTS CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITY, BUT TURNS BLIND EYE TO MEDICALLY-TESTED CHIMPS

Local facilities remove barriers for pet adoptions, boost medical treatment

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 26, 2016
CONTACT: John Collins, 212 681 1380

NYCLASS: Mayor’s Budget a Major Win for Animals and all New Yorkers

Budget dedicates $10 Million for the creation of animal shelters in Queens and the Bronx NEW YORK – NYCLASS today hailed Mayor Bill de Blasio’s allocation of $10 million toward the creation of new animal shelters, which has been a core part of NYCLASS’ agenda for many years, as a major victory for animals and an important first step toward building and operating two facilities in the City.

The funding, provided in the Mayor’s 2017 Executive Budget, will initiate the design, construction and siting of animal shelters in Queens and the Bronx, boroughs that currently lack dedicated animal shelters and the medical services and adoptions they provide. “NYCLASS believes that the greatest city in the world deserves a world-class animal shelter system – with full-service shelters in every borough,” said Allie Taylor, Executive Director of NYCLASS. “With this investment, Mayor de Blasio has stepped forward and honored his commitment not only to help reduce inequality across the city, but also to strengthen our communities for all New Yorkers, two legged and four legged.

“This announcement is a major victory in our years-long effort to provide animals with humane living circumstances and New Yorkers with the basic access to the love and companionship a pet provides.

“We want to thank all of our community partners and leaders such as Council Members Paul Vallone and Corey Johnson for their tireless work on this issue. All of us fought together to make this day a reality – and New Yorkers and animals across the city are grateful. We look forward to working with the Mayor and our Council supporters to ensure these shelters get the funding they will need in the future to open and operate successfully.”
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Contact: Michael McKeon 212-681-1380

Statement from Michael McKeon, spokesman for NYCLASS:

"NYCLASS has not heard a word in any way, shape or form from the U.S. Attorney or the Manhattan District Attorney regarding the reported investigation into the mayor’s fundraising efforts. We have absolutely no reason to believe the story is true or accurate, and it’s important to note that today’s media report doesn’t say anything specific as it relates to the government’s alleged examination of NYCLASS. We have seen this type of reporting before: Two years ago, media reports said the FBI was “looking into” NYCLASS. But in the two years since that story ran, we have heard absolutely nothing from the FBI. Zero. So NYCLASS gets dragged through the mud publicly yet again without any reason to believe the story is accurate.

Steve Nislick and Wendy Neu founded NYCLASS because they care about animals. Their only agenda is the proper treatment of abused animals in this city. It’s one they deeply believe in, and will continue to fight for. It’s as simple as that. They have made clear over and over again that they have no interest in anything else, and have stated directly they have no interest in the real estate where the horse stables are currently located. That myth has become fact in some quarters simply because it has been reported over and over again as fact, when it is a lie.

If ever contacted by the US Attorney or the DA, or anyone else in government, NYCLASS intends to answer any and all questions, and fully cooperate. But again, we have not been contacted, and have never been contacted by the FBI, US Attorney or the DA."

CITY TO ALLOW NEW YORKERS’ BEST FRIEND AT OUTDOOR CAFES WITHOUT ONEROUS PAPERWORK REQUIREMENTS

NEW YORK, NY – Allie Feldman, Executive Director of New Yorkers for Clean, Livable, and Safe Streets, today released the following statement in response to the city’s decision to eliminate the requirement that dog owners carry and present license and vaccination paperwork in order to have their dogs join them at outdoor cafes.

“Common sense won today as the city smartly decided to let this sleeping dog lie,” said Allie Feldman. “Dogs provide love and companionship and today’s policy decision is a win-win to New Yorkers – two-legged and four-legged – of all ages. NYCLASS’ thousands of animal rights members want to thank Assembly Member Linda Rosenthal for her dogged hard work on this issue.” 

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NEW YORK – Allie Feldman, Executive Director of NYCLASS, today released the following statement regarding SeaWorld’s decision to stop exploiting killer whales for entertainment. SeaWorld’s decision comes after Ringling Bros. announced that they would end the cruel use of elephants in their shows.

“SeaWorld’s decision to stop killer whale shows and end their captive breeding is a small step in the right direction. But let’s be clear: no one should be satisfied by SeaWorld finally doing what they should have done years ago. The reality is that SeaWorld continues to teach children that captive animals are here for their amusement. It’s wrong and the entire industry should still be ashamed of itself. 

“We have now seen both Ringling Bros. circus and SeaWorld take small steps in the right direction, which only highlights the failures of the City Council to take its own steps toward removing carriage horses from New York’s dangerous city streets.  So while we are pleased with this progress, the fight for animal rights on all fronts continues.” 

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Edie Falco, Russell Simmons, Gillian Anderson and others personally urge Council Members to pass the compromise

NEW YORK, NY – Celebrities from New York are leading a personal lobbying campaign – including hand-written notes, personal emails, and pre-recorded robo calls – to encourage City Council Members to pass new legislation that will protect carriage horses by removing them from dangerous city traffic.

Celebrities include Edie Falco, Russell Simmons, Gillian Anderson, Kathy Najimy, P!nk, among others. The City Council is scheduled to vote on the legislation this Friday.