Great, comprehensive article in today's New York Times, written by reporter Susan Stellin, about finding pet-friendly housing in New York. (New York Tails Magazine, the mother site/magazine to the blog you're currently reading, also mentioned in the article.) Thanks, Susan!
Would love to hear from you guys. What was it like for you to find 'pet-friendly housing' in New York City? Have you/do you have any current struggles, tips, or advice for both newbie and not-so-newbie? Which neighborhoods have you found the pet-friendliest?
"Not Without My Pet" -- Pet Friendly Housing Hunting Tips for New York City
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/18/realestate/getting-started-not-without-my-pet.html
Saturday, December 17, 2011
Monday, October 10, 2011
Mayor’s Alliance and ASPCA Return to Central Park for ‘Fall Fix’
The crisp Fall air on the first day of October was the perfect backdrop for the ASPCA’s “Fall Fix”, held on the North border of Central Park. Four spay/neuter mobiles, parked in the tree-lined area on the north end of Central Park at 110th Street and Lenox Avenue/Malcolm X Boulevard buzzed in the background as vets and vet techs within carried out spay and neuter surgeries on cats and dogs. The “patients” had been brought there earlier that day by neighborhood residents wanting to take advantage of this opportunity to do the right thing for their animals. The ASPCA was offering spay/neutering for free that day for as many dogs and cats as they could accommodate – all in all 72 dogs and cats. The ASPCA also runs a spay/neuter program focused on pit bulls, called Operation Pit, which offers free spay/neuter for pit bulls. More info found here.
In addition to ASPCA-sponsored spay and neuter services, the Mayor’s Alliance for New York City’s Animals was also on hand to help pet owners, offering Home Again microchips at no cost. All told, the Alliance microchipped 60 dogs.Microchipping is sometimes overlooked but nevertheless very important service pet guardians should employ for their pets. Having your pet microchipped is one of the best ways to increase your pet's chances of getting home if he or she is lost or stolen and winds up at an animal shelter or veterinary office. Unlike dog tags and collars, which can fall off or be removed, microchipping is a hidden and permanent form of identification. All vets and shelters should – and most do – have a hand-held scanner that they use when any animal arrives at their facility as stray or lost. Since the Alliance began their first low-cost microchipping clinic in 2005, the group has microchipped more than 2,000 dogs and cats.
If you missed the October 1st spay/neuter event, you haven’t missed out completely on opportunities to get your pet fixed at low or no cost. Click here for information on low-cost and free spay/neuter services.
Next to the Mayor’s Alliance booth was Mindful Tails, a professional pet services company specializing in the Tellington Method of Behavior Modification training, Rehabilitation and Wellness – also known as TTouch. It is a holistic approach to healing physically and mentally, improving behavior, and helping animals who have been through trauma to recover and become happy, healthy pets. Mindful Tails offers private consultations and group workshops at locations throughout NYC and Long Island. They also have an online pet products service offering unique pet gifts and products.
Find out more at ttouch.org.
Find out more at ttouch.org.
Sue Pike shared a table with Mindful Tails at The Fall Fix. Sue, who lives in Brooklyn, is an Animal Communicator, Reiki Master, and Medium. She was doing pet readings at the event, helping people find out what their animals are thinking and feeling. As a Reiki Master with over ten years practicing the traditional Usui Method of the healing art, Sue uses crystals, guided imagery, and shamanic techniques with her clients to detect, among other things: physical ailments, areas of low energy, and points of imbalance.
Check her out and contact her for more info at reikisue@gmail.com.
Looking for a ghoulish way to celebrate the Halloween season while also helping animals? Check out Rational Animal’s rockin’ fundraiser next Thursday night. Partnering with the Morison Hotel Gallery, the concert will take place at the new Cutting Room on East 32nd St. Full details and ticketing here.
Check her out and contact her for more info at reikisue@gmail.com.
Looking for a ghoulish way to celebrate the Halloween season while also helping animals? Check out Rational Animal’s rockin’ fundraiser next Thursday night. Partnering with the Morison Hotel Gallery, the concert will take place at the new Cutting Room on East 32nd St. Full details and ticketing here.
And the Mayor’s Alliance is having a fundraiser on October 29th in downtown New York. Called “The Creature’s Ball”, this fundraiser will take place at Surrogate's Court, 31 Chambers Street. Buy tickets here.
Keep your eye on this blog for more Halloween pet events. Subscribe now so you don’t miss anything!
Friday, August 26, 2011
Hurricane Irene Pet Preparedness-MUST READ
As Hurricane Irene approaches NYC, the ASPCA wants to inform the public that pets are welcome at all the emergency evacuation center and shelters in the city's 5 boroughs. Many pet owners are uncertain if they’re allowed to take their pets with them, and we strongly recommend that people do not leave their pets behind!
If pet owners go to any of the emergency evacuation centers, it's recommended they bring:
- a copy of your pet’s vaccination and medical records;
- a leash and muzzle;
- crate or carrier; and
- pet food and medications for animals with special needs.
The ASPCA (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals), NYC Animal Care & Control (AC&C), the Mayor’s Alliance for NYC’s Animals, Bideawee, and NYC Veterinary Emergency Response Team (VERT), as part of the NYC Office of Emergency Management's Animal Planning Task Force, have committed resources that include veterinary support, search and rescue, supplies, staff, volunteers, and sheltering in the days ahead.
For more information on disaster preparedness tips, pet owners should visit www.aspca.org/pet-care/disaster-preparedness.
People should also visit the OEM’s website at www.NYC.gov/oem, or call 311 to find an evacuation center.
If you would like to speak with an ASPCA expert on what pet owners can do to plan ahead for their pets, please contact one of us below.
New York City's Office of Emergency Management created the Animal Planning Task Force to develop plans for disasters — both natural and otherwise. The task force includes representatives from the ASPCA, the Mayor's Alliance for NYC's Animals, Animal Care and Control of NYC, NYC Veterinary Emergency Response Team, the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH), NYC Department of Parks & Recreation, American Red Cross in Greater New York, Bideawee, Humane Society of the United States, Suffolk County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, and Veterinary Medical Assistance Team One (VMAT-1).
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Serious Questions Over Whether Executives of NYC’s Animal Shelter System Broke New York State’s “Open Meetings Law”
BREAKING STORY
Serious Questions Arise Over Whether Executives of NYC’s Animal Shelter System Broke New York State’s “Open Meetings Law”
"Anticipated Number of Attendees" A Key Question; Public May Have Right To Petition The Court For Another Public Meeting If Adequate Meeting Space Was Not Provided
Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer Steps Into Debate
Did top-ranking members of the City's shelter system break the law last month when they turned scores of people away from their quarterly public meeting? A top official within New York’s Department of State says maybe, and Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer has expressed concerns to the head of the City’s Department of Health.
Protesters are accusing the city's shelter system, Animal Care and Control of New York City, of purposely shutting them out of a well-publicized public meeting on June 21st. According to an official at New York's Department of State, the following two questions must be answered:
“Could it have reasonably been anticipated whether the meeting room would accommodate the number of people who’d expressed interest in attending? And was there an alternative place the meeting could have been held to accommodate those interested in attending? If the answer to both of these questions is in the affirmative, then there was a failure to comply with New York’s Open Meetings Law,” Robert Freeman, executive director for the Committee on Open Government said in an exclusive interview with New York Tails Magazine. “If [AC&C] had no inkling as to how many people would be attending, they would have been in compliance with the law.”
The Committee on Open Government is a branch of New York’s Department of State. The Committee does not make legal rulings but does issue legal opinions in matters pertaining to freedom of information and the interpretation of the Open Meetings Law. Legal opinions issued by the Committee have been cited by judges when issuing a ruling about a case. One such case involved a NYS Supreme Court ruling against the Board of Trustees for the City University of New York (CUNY). In this 1998 ruling (Crain v. Reynolds) members of the CUNY board was prevented from implementing a resolution because it was made during a meeting held in a room which could not accommodate an anticipated influx of attendees.
The date and time of the AC&C’s June 21st quarterly meeting was widely publicized by many animal protection organizations for several weeks through several media platforms, from simple posters to elaborate Facebook petitions. There was particular emphasis placed on attendance of the June 21st meeting in light of several recent controversies, including the firing of several popular volunteers earlier this year. (See previous articles.)
However, many who showed up early with the intention of attending the meeting day—-most estimates place the number at well over 100 people, including representatives of the media—-were turned away. The overflow crowd was escorted from the building on 125 Worth Street, many holding protest signs, as they awaited news about the proceedings within.
The AC&C is a registered non-profit and not technically a city or state agency, however, almost 100 percent of its budget comes from New York’s Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DoH). Several AC&C board members hold high positions in City government, including Dr. Thomas Farley, Commissioner of the DoH, and Adrian Benepe, Commissioner of NYC’s Department of Parks and Recreation.
“It is our belief, since the AC&C carries out certain functions of the DoH, that it is under the control of a government organization,” Mr. Freeman said. “The board members could say the sky is green, but if it’s blue, it’s still blue.”
Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer Expresses ‘Dismay’ Over June 21st Meeting Lock-Out
Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer has also stepped into the debate. In a June 29th letter addressed directly to Dr. Farley, Mr. Stringer said he was "dismayed to learn that approximately 100 animal care advocates were turned away from the June 21st AC&C board meeting due to the limited capacity of the hearing room."
Mr. Stringer went on to write it was ‘crucial’ for the City to “maintain an open dialog between public officials and the animal care community”, particularly in light of "the City’s dire financial situation.”
Courtney Kistler, reporting for New York Tails Magazine, was among the members of the media who attempted to gain entrance to the June 21st meeting but was turned away. Her report on the experience, as well as comments from both attendees as well as representatives of Animal Care and Control will be posted here soon.
Link to Open Meetings Law – Department of State
http://www.dos.state.ny.us/coog/index.html
Department of State -- Committee on Open Government
One Commerce Plaza, 99 Washington Avenue, Suite 650, Albany, NY 12231
Telephone: (518) 474-2518 Fax : (518) 474-1927
Serious Questions Arise Over Whether Executives of NYC’s Animal Shelter System Broke New York State’s “Open Meetings Law”
"Anticipated Number of Attendees" A Key Question; Public May Have Right To Petition The Court For Another Public Meeting If Adequate Meeting Space Was Not Provided
Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer Steps Into Debate
Did top-ranking members of the City's shelter system break the law last month when they turned scores of people away from their quarterly public meeting? A top official within New York’s Department of State says maybe, and Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer has expressed concerns to the head of the City’s Department of Health.
Protesters are accusing the city's shelter system, Animal Care and Control of New York City, of purposely shutting them out of a well-publicized public meeting on June 21st. According to an official at New York's Department of State, the following two questions must be answered:
“Could it have reasonably been anticipated whether the meeting room would accommodate the number of people who’d expressed interest in attending? And was there an alternative place the meeting could have been held to accommodate those interested in attending? If the answer to both of these questions is in the affirmative, then there was a failure to comply with New York’s Open Meetings Law,” Robert Freeman, executive director for the Committee on Open Government said in an exclusive interview with New York Tails Magazine. “If [AC&C] had no inkling as to how many people would be attending, they would have been in compliance with the law.”
The Committee on Open Government is a branch of New York’s Department of State. The Committee does not make legal rulings but does issue legal opinions in matters pertaining to freedom of information and the interpretation of the Open Meetings Law. Legal opinions issued by the Committee have been cited by judges when issuing a ruling about a case. One such case involved a NYS Supreme Court ruling against the Board of Trustees for the City University of New York (CUNY). In this 1998 ruling (Crain v. Reynolds) members of the CUNY board was prevented from implementing a resolution because it was made during a meeting held in a room which could not accommodate an anticipated influx of attendees.
The date and time of the AC&C’s June 21st quarterly meeting was widely publicized by many animal protection organizations for several weeks through several media platforms, from simple posters to elaborate Facebook petitions. There was particular emphasis placed on attendance of the June 21st meeting in light of several recent controversies, including the firing of several popular volunteers earlier this year. (See previous articles.)
However, many who showed up early with the intention of attending the meeting day—-most estimates place the number at well over 100 people, including representatives of the media—-were turned away. The overflow crowd was escorted from the building on 125 Worth Street, many holding protest signs, as they awaited news about the proceedings within.
The AC&C is a registered non-profit and not technically a city or state agency, however, almost 100 percent of its budget comes from New York’s Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DoH). Several AC&C board members hold high positions in City government, including Dr. Thomas Farley, Commissioner of the DoH, and Adrian Benepe, Commissioner of NYC’s Department of Parks and Recreation.
“It is our belief, since the AC&C carries out certain functions of the DoH, that it is under the control of a government organization,” Mr. Freeman said. “The board members could say the sky is green, but if it’s blue, it’s still blue.”
Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer Expresses ‘Dismay’ Over June 21st Meeting Lock-Out
Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer has also stepped into the debate. In a June 29th letter addressed directly to Dr. Farley, Mr. Stringer said he was "dismayed to learn that approximately 100 animal care advocates were turned away from the June 21st AC&C board meeting due to the limited capacity of the hearing room."
Mr. Stringer went on to write it was ‘crucial’ for the City to “maintain an open dialog between public officials and the animal care community”, particularly in light of "the City’s dire financial situation.”
Courtney Kistler, reporting for New York Tails Magazine, was among the members of the media who attempted to gain entrance to the June 21st meeting but was turned away. Her report on the experience, as well as comments from both attendees as well as representatives of Animal Care and Control will be posted here soon.
Link to Open Meetings Law – Department of State
http://www.dos.state.ny.us/coog/index.html
Department of State -- Committee on Open Government
One Commerce Plaza, 99 Washington Avenue, Suite 650, Albany, NY 12231
Telephone: (518) 474-2518 Fax : (518) 474-1927
Friday, June 17, 2011
'Stranglehold' On Adoptable Animals, Or Protection from Hoarders?
Animal Activists’ Charge of a ‘Stranglehold’ on Adoptable Animals By Large Non-Profit Strongly Refuted By Agency Head
Board of Directors of Animal Care and Control to Meet Tuesday, June 21st
Two bills addressing animal shelter reform duke it out with supporters, detractors for both as time Runs Out on the 2010 New York Legislative Session on June 20th; Meeting of Board of Animal Care and Control of New York City (AC&C) on June 21st
The emotional subject of animal shelter reform while increasing the number of animals adopted rather than destroyed reached a fever pitch this week, as activists and legislators on both sides of the debate marshaled their forces for one last push before pivotal meetings at the city and state level begin.
“The Mayor’s Alliance has a stranglehold on who can pull the animals out of the AC&C and the number of animals that can be saved,” said Zelda Penzel, founder of the New York-based non-profit group Save Our Shelter Animals (S.O.S.), a self-described coalition of activists and rescue groups ‘working toward a No Kill New York City.’ “The Mayor’s Alliance for New York City’s Animals and Animal Care & Control of New York City control who and what rescue groups can get animals out of the shelters to groups where they would be saved.”
The Mayor’s Alliance for NYC’s Animals is a not-for-profit coalition of more than 150community-based rescue groups based in the New York metropolitan area called “Alliance Participating Organizations” (APOs.) Jane Hoffman has served as president and chair of the Board of Directors for the Alliance since its inception in 2002.
The majority of the funding for the Mayor’s Alliance comes from Maddie’s Fund, a national, multi-million dollar foundation started by billionaire software developer David Duffield. By following specific protocols, some of the Mayor's Alliance APOs, called "New Hope Partners", are selected at the discretion of administrators of the ACC to ‘pull’ animals from the city’s shelter system and are eligible to receive special financial and other support to get them adopted.
While many Mayor's Alliance APOs are "New Hope Partners", the ACC decides who receives "New Hope Partner" status, not the Mayor's Alliance. Nonetheless, activists like Ms. Penzel allege the Mayor's Alliance has influence on who receives "New Hope Partner" status from the ACC.
“The Mayor’s Alliance controls the purse strings with the money they receive from Maddie’s Fund,” Ms. Penzel alleges, “and they get to say who can and who will not be members of their ‘selected’ group to save animals’ lives. I think the conflicts of interest and obvious ‘gag’ rules implied in such a relationship are evident.”
Animal Care and Control of New York City is the city’s main shelter system. Funded by the Department of Health, AC&C is compelled to take in every abandoned animal throughout the city’s five boroughs, usually somewhere around 40,000 per year. The agency is an arm of the City’s Department of Health. While there has been a significant decrease in the number of animals euthanized by the AC&C due to overcrowding over the past several years, approximately one of every four animals taken in by the AC&C will be destroyed.
Ms. Hoffman of the Mayor’s Alliance strongly disagreed with Ms. Penzel’s sentiments.
“Stranglehold?”, Ms. Hoffman said in a statement. “Approximately 150 animal rescue groups and shelters who have the ability to responsibly care for and find good homes for the animals entrusted to them have been approved by AC&C as New Hope Rescue Partners. The majority of the New Hope Partners are also APOs. One-hundred fifty rescue groups and shelters work with the AC&C.”
Ms. Hoffman continued: “Stranglehold? The numbers speak for themselves. Last year 15,500 cats and dogs were transferred to approved New Hope Partners. And as far as the number that can be saved; add the return to owners and direct adoptions from AC&C to the public to the 15,500 cats and dogs transferred to New Hope Partners and that resulted in over 23,500 lives saved.”
Two Shelter Reform Bills Duke It Out for Passage In New York State SenateAs the volume on the shelter-and-rescue debate turns up on the City level, the divisive issue has made it’s way up to Albany. Two bills, similar in spirit but dissimilar in several key areas, are currently battling it out as the New York State legislative session comes to a close. However, with lawmakers’ hands already full with an eleventh-hour push toward a historic step in legalizing gay marriage and an extension of New York City’s rent regulations, it is unclear if the bills will make it to the floor before the session ends on June 20th.
A groundswell of vocal, community-based animal rescues as well as national allies, such as Best Friends Animal Society and Alley Cat Allies, have thrown their support behind the Companion Animal Access and Rescue Act (A.B. 7312/S.B. 5363) sponsored by Assemblyman Micah Keller (D-Upper East Side/Manhattan) and State Senator Joseph Robach (R-C-I, Rochester). Modeled after a similar law in California, “CAARA” calls for key animal shelter reforms while making it somewhat easier for smaller, independent rescue groups to obtain animals from larger shelters.
Another bill, “The Shelter Access Bill” (A.B. 5449/S.B. 5433) sponsored by Assemblywoman Amy Paulin (D-88th District, Westchester) and State Senator Greg Ball (R,C, 40th District, Putnam County) also calls for animal shelter reform but additional provisions such as a public database of community-based rescue groups, is supported by the American Society for the Protection of Cruelty To Animals (ASPCA) in New York (see full statement in previous blog entry) the Mayor’s Alliance, and the Animal Law Coalition, a watchdog group for national and state-based animal laws.
Next: Exclusive interviews with Assemblyman Micah Kellner, Assemblywoman Paulin, and statements from the Animal Law Coalition and Maddie's Fund.
Links of interest: “CAARA” Law text: http://assembly.state.ny.us/leg/?bn=A07312&term=2011
“Shelter Access Bill” text: http://open.nysenate.gov/legislation/bill/S5433-2011
Side-by-Side Comparison of Bills (summary by ALC, which supports the Shelter Access Bill) http://www.animallawcoalition.com/public-shelters/article/1739
AC&C Statistics Through April 2011:
http://www.nycacc.org/pdfs/DOH_Reports/2011/April/intake-outcome-2010_cats_dogs_v11.pdf
Board of Directors of Animal Care and Control to Meet Tuesday, June 21st
Two bills addressing animal shelter reform duke it out with supporters, detractors for both as time Runs Out on the 2010 New York Legislative Session on June 20th; Meeting of Board of Animal Care and Control of New York City (AC&C) on June 21st
The emotional subject of animal shelter reform while increasing the number of animals adopted rather than destroyed reached a fever pitch this week, as activists and legislators on both sides of the debate marshaled their forces for one last push before pivotal meetings at the city and state level begin.
“The Mayor’s Alliance has a stranglehold on who can pull the animals out of the AC&C and the number of animals that can be saved,” said Zelda Penzel, founder of the New York-based non-profit group Save Our Shelter Animals (S.O.S.), a self-described coalition of activists and rescue groups ‘working toward a No Kill New York City.’ “The Mayor’s Alliance for New York City’s Animals and Animal Care & Control of New York City control who and what rescue groups can get animals out of the shelters to groups where they would be saved.”
The Mayor’s Alliance for NYC’s Animals is a not-for-profit coalition of more than 150community-based rescue groups based in the New York metropolitan area called “Alliance Participating Organizations” (APOs.) Jane Hoffman has served as president and chair of the Board of Directors for the Alliance since its inception in 2002.
The majority of the funding for the Mayor’s Alliance comes from Maddie’s Fund, a national, multi-million dollar foundation started by billionaire software developer David Duffield. By following specific protocols, some of the Mayor's Alliance APOs, called "New Hope Partners", are selected at the discretion of administrators of the ACC to ‘pull’ animals from the city’s shelter system and are eligible to receive special financial and other support to get them adopted.
While many Mayor's Alliance APOs are "New Hope Partners", the ACC decides who receives "New Hope Partner" status, not the Mayor's Alliance. Nonetheless, activists like Ms. Penzel allege the Mayor's Alliance has influence on who receives "New Hope Partner" status from the ACC.
“The Mayor’s Alliance controls the purse strings with the money they receive from Maddie’s Fund,” Ms. Penzel alleges, “and they get to say who can and who will not be members of their ‘selected’ group to save animals’ lives. I think the conflicts of interest and obvious ‘gag’ rules implied in such a relationship are evident.”
Animal Care and Control of New York City is the city’s main shelter system. Funded by the Department of Health, AC&C is compelled to take in every abandoned animal throughout the city’s five boroughs, usually somewhere around 40,000 per year. The agency is an arm of the City’s Department of Health. While there has been a significant decrease in the number of animals euthanized by the AC&C due to overcrowding over the past several years, approximately one of every four animals taken in by the AC&C will be destroyed.
Ms. Hoffman of the Mayor’s Alliance strongly disagreed with Ms. Penzel’s sentiments.
“Stranglehold?”, Ms. Hoffman said in a statement. “Approximately 150 animal rescue groups and shelters who have the ability to responsibly care for and find good homes for the animals entrusted to them have been approved by AC&C as New Hope Rescue Partners. The majority of the New Hope Partners are also APOs. One-hundred fifty rescue groups and shelters work with the AC&C.”
Ms. Hoffman continued: “Stranglehold? The numbers speak for themselves. Last year 15,500 cats and dogs were transferred to approved New Hope Partners. And as far as the number that can be saved; add the return to owners and direct adoptions from AC&C to the public to the 15,500 cats and dogs transferred to New Hope Partners and that resulted in over 23,500 lives saved.”
Two Shelter Reform Bills Duke It Out for Passage In New York State SenateAs the volume on the shelter-and-rescue debate turns up on the City level, the divisive issue has made it’s way up to Albany. Two bills, similar in spirit but dissimilar in several key areas, are currently battling it out as the New York State legislative session comes to a close. However, with lawmakers’ hands already full with an eleventh-hour push toward a historic step in legalizing gay marriage and an extension of New York City’s rent regulations, it is unclear if the bills will make it to the floor before the session ends on June 20th.
A groundswell of vocal, community-based animal rescues as well as national allies, such as Best Friends Animal Society and Alley Cat Allies, have thrown their support behind the Companion Animal Access and Rescue Act (A.B. 7312/S.B. 5363) sponsored by Assemblyman Micah Keller (D-Upper East Side/Manhattan) and State Senator Joseph Robach (R-C-I, Rochester). Modeled after a similar law in California, “CAARA” calls for key animal shelter reforms while making it somewhat easier for smaller, independent rescue groups to obtain animals from larger shelters.
Another bill, “The Shelter Access Bill” (A.B. 5449/S.B. 5433) sponsored by Assemblywoman Amy Paulin (D-88th District, Westchester) and State Senator Greg Ball (R,C, 40th District, Putnam County) also calls for animal shelter reform but additional provisions such as a public database of community-based rescue groups, is supported by the American Society for the Protection of Cruelty To Animals (ASPCA) in New York (see full statement in previous blog entry) the Mayor’s Alliance, and the Animal Law Coalition, a watchdog group for national and state-based animal laws.
Next: Exclusive interviews with Assemblyman Micah Kellner, Assemblywoman Paulin, and statements from the Animal Law Coalition and Maddie's Fund.
Links of interest: “CAARA” Law text: http://assembly.state.ny.us/leg/?bn=A07312&term=2011
“Shelter Access Bill” text: http://open.nysenate.gov/legislation/bill/S5433-2011
Side-by-Side Comparison of Bills (summary by ALC, which supports the Shelter Access Bill) http://www.animallawcoalition.com/public-shelters/article/1739
AC&C Statistics Through April 2011:
http://www.nycacc.org/pdfs/DOH_Reports/2011/April/intake-outcome-2010_cats_dogs_v11.pdf
Thursday, June 9, 2011
**BREAKING NEWS** ASPCA, Mayor's Alliance: "Shelter Access" Bill Would Protect Shelter Animals Better Than "CAARA" Bill
In what may be one of the first detailed, public statements issued by the ASPCA and the Mayor's Alliance for NYC's Animals on the issue, New York Tails Magazine has today learned the agencies believe shelter animals in both the City and State would be best served under the provisions of Assembly Bill A05449, often called the "Shelter Access Bill", being supported by Assemblywoman Amy Paulin and New York State Senator Greg Ball. The two agencies have recently been criticized for what some consider an extended silence on a competing bill of sorts, the "Companion Animal Access and Rescue Act" (A7312)which has recently gained large and vocal grassroots support.
New York Tails Magazine also had an exclusive interview with Assemblyman Micah Kellner today, sponsor of the aforementioned "Companion Animal Access and Rescue Act" (often called 'CAARA').
With the New York State legislative session scheduled to end June 20th, action may come quickly on either one of these bills.
The interview with Assemblyman Kellner is currently being transcribed and will be posted later, please watch this blog and our Facebook page for updates.
In the interim here is the full unedited statement obtained by New York Tails Magazine from Anita Kelso Edson, Senior Director of Media & Communications for the ASPCA:
Both the ASPCA and the Mayor’s Alliance for NYC’s Animals, a coalition of more than 150 animal rescue groups and shelters (including the ASPCA), are committed to working with NYC Animal Care & Control (AC&C) with the goal of ultimately transforming New York City into a “no-kill” community. While we are passionately optimistic about this, we also recognize there are serious challenges–including AC&C’s underfunding and lack of resources–to overcome before we can achieve our goal. Despite the hurdles that still exist, there has clearly been improvement over the past eight years.
In 2010, more than 44,000 animals entered our city’s shelters and rescue partner organizations, and of those, 32,000-plus, or 73 percent, were adopted, returned to owners or transferred to rescue. We recognize that 27 percent of these animals were euthanized, and that New York City’s homeless pet problem cannot be solved by transfers and adoptions alone.
The ASPCA gets to the root of the issue, seven days a week, 52 weeks a year, by providing low- and no-cost spay/neuter surgeries. In 2010 we provided spay/neuter surgeries for more than 31,000 cats and dogs. The ASPCA’s mobile clinics are in all five NYC boroughs daily providing spay/neuter services to low income New Yorkers as well as rescue groups and shelters including AC&C. We also just opened a stationary spay/neuter clinic in Queens—focused just on animal rescuers and which is expected to increase our surgery capabilities by 10,000 animals per year, aiming toward a goal of 40,000 total surgeries in 2011 and hoping to ultimately decrease the intake number of animals in our city’s shelters.
The ASPCA is committed to our mission of preventing animal cruelty, both nationwide and in our own backyard, and continues to work hard to improve the lives of dogs and cats both in New York but also across the U.S. Our donors contribute to us with the expectation that we maintain a national reach in fighting animal homelessness and cruelty, and we are proud of the lifesaving work we have accomplished around the country with the support of our mission by donors, the public and local communities.
The ASPCA strongly supports shelter access legislation that includes essential safeguards ensuring rescue organizations requesting animals meet necessary standards of care and do not jeopardize the health and well-being of dogs and cats in their facilities. Unfortunately, some organizations end up warehousing animals in the name of saving lives, but which only results in neglect and abuse. Our recent field responses to such cases has been heartbreaking and reminds us that our mission requires that we place the best interest of the animals first to ensure adequate standards of care exist wherever animals entrusted to shelters are subsequently placed. We believe shelter access is essential, and the shelter access bill being proposed by NY State Assemblywoman Amy Paulin and NY State Senator Greg Ball has the best interest of animals at heart.
New York Tails Magazine also had an exclusive interview with Assemblyman Micah Kellner today, sponsor of the aforementioned "Companion Animal Access and Rescue Act" (often called 'CAARA').
With the New York State legislative session scheduled to end June 20th, action may come quickly on either one of these bills.
The interview with Assemblyman Kellner is currently being transcribed and will be posted later, please watch this blog and our Facebook page for updates.
In the interim here is the full unedited statement obtained by New York Tails Magazine from Anita Kelso Edson, Senior Director of Media & Communications for the ASPCA:
Both the ASPCA and the Mayor’s Alliance for NYC’s Animals, a coalition of more than 150 animal rescue groups and shelters (including the ASPCA), are committed to working with NYC Animal Care & Control (AC&C) with the goal of ultimately transforming New York City into a “no-kill” community. While we are passionately optimistic about this, we also recognize there are serious challenges–including AC&C’s underfunding and lack of resources–to overcome before we can achieve our goal. Despite the hurdles that still exist, there has clearly been improvement over the past eight years.
In 2010, more than 44,000 animals entered our city’s shelters and rescue partner organizations, and of those, 32,000-plus, or 73 percent, were adopted, returned to owners or transferred to rescue. We recognize that 27 percent of these animals were euthanized, and that New York City’s homeless pet problem cannot be solved by transfers and adoptions alone.
The ASPCA gets to the root of the issue, seven days a week, 52 weeks a year, by providing low- and no-cost spay/neuter surgeries. In 2010 we provided spay/neuter surgeries for more than 31,000 cats and dogs. The ASPCA’s mobile clinics are in all five NYC boroughs daily providing spay/neuter services to low income New Yorkers as well as rescue groups and shelters including AC&C. We also just opened a stationary spay/neuter clinic in Queens—focused just on animal rescuers and which is expected to increase our surgery capabilities by 10,000 animals per year, aiming toward a goal of 40,000 total surgeries in 2011 and hoping to ultimately decrease the intake number of animals in our city’s shelters.
The ASPCA is committed to our mission of preventing animal cruelty, both nationwide and in our own backyard, and continues to work hard to improve the lives of dogs and cats both in New York but also across the U.S. Our donors contribute to us with the expectation that we maintain a national reach in fighting animal homelessness and cruelty, and we are proud of the lifesaving work we have accomplished around the country with the support of our mission by donors, the public and local communities.
The ASPCA strongly supports shelter access legislation that includes essential safeguards ensuring rescue organizations requesting animals meet necessary standards of care and do not jeopardize the health and well-being of dogs and cats in their facilities. Unfortunately, some organizations end up warehousing animals in the name of saving lives, but which only results in neglect and abuse. Our recent field responses to such cases has been heartbreaking and reminds us that our mission requires that we place the best interest of the animals first to ensure adequate standards of care exist wherever animals entrusted to shelters are subsequently placed. We believe shelter access is essential, and the shelter access bill being proposed by NY State Assemblywoman Amy Paulin and NY State Senator Greg Ball has the best interest of animals at heart.
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Sunday, March 27th -- SO Many Pet Events Today!
Times vary -- plan your trips accordingly! (Just cut and paste each URL in your browser for details)
Macy's Petacular -- Dress Your Pet In His/Her Springtime Best! (Manhattan) http://www1.macys.com/campaign/flowershow/newyork/instore.jsp
Day Two of the Second Annual Brooklyn Mutt Show! (Including a ‘Snookie-Look-A-Like’ Contest at 6pm!
http://www.brooklynmuttshow.com/
Doggie Dancing! Love Your Pet Disco and Boogie! (Yes—doggie dancing) -- Brooklyn
http://loveyourpetnyc.blogspot.com/
Mother’s Comfort Project Sewing Pet Beds for Shelter Animals! -- Brooklyn
http://www.rational-animal.org/
Macy's Petacular -- Dress Your Pet In His/Her Springtime Best! (Manhattan) http://www1.macys.com/campaign/flowershow/newyork/instore.jsp
Day Two of the Second Annual Brooklyn Mutt Show! (Including a ‘Snookie-Look-A-Like’ Contest at 6pm!
http://www.brooklynmuttshow.com/
Doggie Dancing! Love Your Pet Disco and Boogie! (Yes—doggie dancing) -- Brooklyn
http://loveyourpetnyc.blogspot.com/
Mother’s Comfort Project Sewing Pet Beds for Shelter Animals! -- Brooklyn
http://www.rational-animal.org/
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