For immediate release:

Over four thousand dogs and over nine thousand cats were destroyed at the three NYC Animal Shelters (NY ACC New York Animal Care and Control) last year.  Most people don’t know that kill shelters still exist in NYC.  

Concerned New Yorkers are coming together on November 6^th at Washington Square Park to educate the public about what is happening to the homeless pets of NYC.   The goal is to force the NY ACC to reform so that the needless killings of adoptable pets can be stopped.

This year significant funding was cut from New York City’s Animal Shelter system’s (NYACC – New York Animal Care and Control) budget. Food and supplies have run out over the last few weeks. New Yorkers have been donating food and supplies to keep the cats and dogs fed. The shelters are severely under funded. In fact, there are only three shelters for all five boroughs.

On November 4th phone lines at the ACC were turned off.  The public can no longer call in to inquire, or to adopt a cat and dog. 

The NY ACC is considered a private charity organization, but its board is made up of city officials.  Several of them are from the Department of Health, as it is this agency that provides most of the funding for the shelters.  Current board members must be replaced by caring, innovative, and experienced leaders in animal rescue, rather then civil servants with no experience in working for animal welfare and city bureaucrats.   

Board members employed by the City of New York cannot challenge the Department of Health’s lack of funding.  The NY ACC must start anew as a true charity organization without any ties to a city agency, except for funding. 

The board purposely hides the fact that the reason the animals are destroyed is because of lack of space and resources.  A bulk of their funding comes from an organization called Maddie’s Fund.  This organization has put in place a road map for the NY ACC to become a No Kill facility.  As part of this road map, in 2010, the NY ACC is no longer supposed to kill for space, otherwise it will lose funding.  So instead of documenting the reason for euthanasia as “lack of space,” the reasons that are listed are anything but that.  Cats and dogs are killed for having colds, for having gingivitis, and for being too young. 

Volunteers have been dismissed for speaking out about what goes on in these shelters.  The NY ACC board and administration frown upon Facebook networks that search for fosters for pets on the nightly destroy lists.    

These tragic killings have to stop.  This is the first step of a grass roots movement to bring attention to this issue and Save the Homeless pets of NYC.  Please come and see for yourself.

http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/11/04/found-friended-and-saved-through-facebook/

photo by Mark Ross

Max is an affectionate, 4 year old declawed male kitty looking for a new home. His owner is giving him up as well as 2 of his buddies ( a 4 year old male and a 6 year old female). They are all very sweet and love kids and other cats.  Would be a dream if they can all find a home together.  But they don’t have to go together.  If would like to adopt, please contact me at marina.guvenc@gmail.com

Hanna and Lucy (picured here) as well as their brother Lando - are ready to go to their forever homes.  Rescued from the NYC Shelter euthanize list,  I’ve been fostering them for almost 2 weeks now.  They are so cute and so sweet.  Would love to keep them, but I’ve got to leave room for other kittiy lives to save.  If you’re thinking of bringing a furry friend into your life, please contact me at marina.guvenc@gmail.com.

Kristoff was found as a stray.  He is happy to be off the streets as he seemed to have a rough life there.  He is gentle and loving and would be an amazing companion.  If you’re interested in adopting Kristoff, please contact the BARC shelter at 718-486-7489 or info@barcshelter.org

Sweet Ginger has been in a foster home since she was a few weeks old. She had a bad eye infection that has caused her to be mostly blind. Other than that she’s a normal healthy loving kitten! She will purr and “make muffins” in your arms. She’s a little shy and jumpy until she gets acclimated to a new environment. She gets along with other kitties and dogs too. Ginger is spayed, tested (negative), microchipped, vaccinated and dewormed. My cat Charlie is blind, and looks just like Ginger.  He’s 11 years old and gets on just fine :)  Ginger is looking for someone who can see how special she is! Is that person you?  If you’re interested, please contact Emily at mle65@hotmail.com

Spike is such a beautiful Maine Coon type cat with unusual Lynx-like ears. He has an equally amaz…ing personality to match - he loves dogs, cats, and of course people. He is super mellow, friendly, and funny.  He suffered a very bad eye infection and lost his eye.  If you want to give Spike a home, please contact Zani’s Furry Friends cats@zanisfurryfriends.org

Lucy is a 10 years old Siamese - and extremely beautiful. Her fur is somewhat long and fluffy so she may have some Himmie or Ragdoll in her as well. She would probably be ok with 1-2 other mellow animals in a quiet home. If you live in the NYC area -please contact info@zanisfurryfriends.org if you could foster or adopt Lucy!!!

Brian was just rescued from New York’s kill shelter (ACC) right in the nick of time by a volunteer who also takes these amazing photos of the shelter animals.  He has many pets already, so Brian really needs a home. If you’re interested, please contact Mark at markross4@verizon.net

Mark writes: He’s a remarkable guy thru and thru! He gets along super well with all my cats and I suspect he’d get along with yours too if you have any. My wife fell madly in love with him as soon as we brought him into our home. He eats anything and he loves everyone. Never before have we met such a sweet natured, lovable and funny creature as Brian. There’s not a mean bone in his body! Not this boy! He makes you smile!

Mabeline is more like a dog, trapped in a cat’s body. When you leave the room, she follows you. If she can’t, she meows until you come back. When you come home, she runs to the door to greet you. And when she sleeps, it’s curled up at the foot of the bed. She’s a wonderful companion. And she expects the same from you. She’s never aggressive. She never hisses or attacks. But she craves attention. She needs someone who has a lot of time to pet her and play with her.  Adopt her:  http://www.petfinder.com/petdetail/14769218?rvp=1

Meet Logan.  I pulled him off Thursday’s (July 22,2010) euthanasia list at the Animal Care and Control facility in Manhattan.  He was originally brought in to the center suffering from three bb gun bullet wounds. 

Logan is a sweetheart.  I am so happy he made it and now he will always be loved!

If you are looking for a pet, please give a shelter or rescue pet a chance.