Local facilities remove barriers for pet adoptions, boost medical treatment
NYCLASS: “These shelters will connect New Yorkers with loving companions”
NEW YORK – City-led pet adoptions in New York City shelters are set to double over the next few years – to nearly 16,000 – as a result of the new full-service animal shelters coming to Queens and the Bronx, according to new projections released today by NYCLASS and Council Member Paul Vallone.
The new projections come on the heels of Mayor Bill de Blasio’s inclusion of $10 million for the design and siting of new shelters in the two boroughs – an investment that has been at the core of NYCLASS’ agenda for years.
“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. “These projections show that not only will the new full-service shelters mean better, more humane care for shelter animals, but they will help connect more New Yorkers to loving companions. It’s a win-win for animals and for New Yorkers.”
Chairwoman of the Council's Committee on Finance, Council Member Julissa Ferreras-Copeland, announced today that, “Establishing full-service animal shelters in Queens and the Bronx has been a longtime priority for the Council, and I applaud Mayor Bill de Blasio’s commitment to fund these in the FY17 budget. These funds will go a long way in making our city a more humane place for our two and four legged friends by providing vital rescue services, in addition to veterinary and adoption services. I thank Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito for including this in the Council’s budget response and addressing overcrowding at animal shelters; and animal advocates like NYCLASS for their efforts to reduce the number of homeless animals on the streets of New York City.”
Council Member Paul Vallone said, "This is a tremendous first step towards accomplishing a victory for animals and pet lovers throughout New York City - especially in the Bronx and Queens. Doubling pet adoptions decreases the number of animals on our streets and improves the care they receive. This much needed additional service will increase the amount of happy homes for our beloved pets. "
Specifically, the projections show that city-led pet adoptions will jump to nearly 16,000 by 2018, up from approximately 7,000 this year (Table below) – primarily as a result of building brick and mortar facilities in each borough to expand pet adoption.
|
YEAR |
CITY-LED ADOPTIONS |
# INCREASE Y-O-Y |
% INCREASE Y-O-Y |
|
2012 |
4,805 |
N/A |
N/A |
|
2013 |
6,145 |
1,340 |
28% |
|
2014 |
6,184 |
39 |
1% |
|
2015 |
7,158 |
974 |
16% |
|
2016 |
7,373 |
215 |
8% |
|
2017 |
11,954 |
4,221 |
55% |
|
2018 |
15,942 |
4,348 |
36% |
|
** These numbers do not include pet adoptions conducted by the New Hope Partners program, which currently provides the vast majority of adoptions in New York City. |
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The projection assumes modest growth in the number of overall adoptions – a three percent increase year over year. It also assumes that the new shelters will have similar adoption levels as their counterparts in Manhattan and Brooklyn. The numbers include all types of animal adoptions.
"I'm glad that our delegation's advocacy for a new full-service animal shelter in Queens led to this shelter's inclusion in the executive budget. I welcome our new four-legged neighbors to our great borough, and am glad we will have this new shelter to care for abandoned cats and dogs and help them find forever homes," remarked Majority Leader Council Member Jimmy Van Bramer.
Both Queens and the Bronx currently lack full-service animal shelters and the medical services and adoptions they provide. Instead, residents in these boroughs only have access to receiving centers – meaning that they must travel to another community or wait for a mobile adoption truck – if they want to adopt a pet. This creates an unfair obstacle for adoption for residents of Queens and the Bronx.
“I am thrilled that we will finally have a full service animal shelter in Queens," said Council Member Daniel Dromm. "I have fought hard along with the advocates and Council Member Vallone to get these two additional shelters into the Mayor's budget for years. I join with Queens families in welcoming this shelter to the neighborhood.”
"As a pet lover I know the joys that an animal can bring to a family. I’m proud to welcome Queens' first full-service animal shelter which will allow residents of Queens to adopt in their own backyard," remarked Council Member Barry S. Grodenchik.
NYCLASS: We Love Animals and We Vote
NYCLASS is an animal advocacy organization committed to creating a more humane city for all New Yorkers, two-legged and four-legged. We believe in the power of organizing and mobilizing the animal protection voting bloc to move humane legislation. Founded in 2008, NYCLASS has grown to over a quarter million supporters with activist chapters in all five boroughs.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MAY 2, 2016
CONTACT: JOHN COLLINS, 212-681-1380
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