Home > Out of the Cage! > November 2004 > Alliance News: Mayor's Alliance Gets Iits Own Wheels

Alliance News

Mayor's Alliance Gets Its Own Wheels

Despite what teenagers across America might tell you, since when did a shiny new set of wheels in the driveway really mean the difference between life and death? Just ask any of the dogs and cats at New York City Animal Care & Control (AC&C) who will depend on the Alliance's new van for transport during the first leg of their journey toward a permanent new home.

Beginning this month, Alliance Participating Organizations (APOs) have a valuable new, shared resource — a 2005 GMC Savana work van, customized for animal transport with nine stainless steel cages. The vehicle will be used primarily to transfer animals from AC&C to APOs. As needs arise, it also will be available for transporting animals to adoption events, foster homes, and veterinary visits, and transporting feral cats to free spay/neuter programs and temporary holding areas.

Until now, the Alliance has relied upon a corporate account with Enterprise, volunteers with cars, and, in emergencies, pet transport services, such as Pet Taxi, to transport animals among shelters, to vets' offices and foster homes, and other missions. In fact, over the past several months, more than 100 cats and dogs were transported using these means.

The new van will not replace current forms of transport but instead will be used to increase the capacity for additional transports that otherwise might not occur, or be delayed because of limited resources, according to Alliance president, Jane Hoffman. "The van will further our mission by allowing us to increase the number of dogs and cats that can be transported from AC&C to APOs, as well as between organizations…increase the number of animals taken to foster care or vet care…and increase the number of feral cats that are spayed or neutered."

Moreover, the van will help alleviate transportation costs for APOs and reduce AC&C's costs of time and personnel in facilitating transports. "The goal of the van program is to further decrease the number of dogs and cats euthanized simply because there is no room for them at AC&C through increased transfers to APOs," explains Hoffman.

Scheduling of the van will remain flexible and will be based upon need and the availability of an Alliance-authorized driver. The schedule no doubt will evolve over time as the program develops. It is expected that the van will be used several days a week for NYC transports, and as needed for longer distances.

Funding for the purchase of the van was collaborative, provided by PetSmart Charities, Buster Brown Shoes, Fashion Accessories Benefit Ball (FABB), and the ASPCA (all of whose logos will appear alongside the Mayor's Alliance logo on the van's exterior). The vehicle's dealer, Greenfield Pontiac Buick, and Mavron, Inc., the manufacturer that converted the van for use in animal transport, each provided a 10 percent discount on the purchase price. The associated costs of maintaining, fueling, and parking the van will be paid for by the Alliance.

Going forward, the Alliance hopes to raise additional funds that will allow it to purchase four more transport vans over five to seven years — as called for in the Alliance's strategic plan. (See "A Strategy for Transforming NYC into a 'No-Kill' City" in the October 2004 issue of Out of the Cage!)

"The acquisition of the van is the realization of one of the key 'Tools' envisioned in our 10-Year Strategic Plan," explains Hoffman. "Like our orange 'Adopt Me' vests and the Pet-Ark kiosks, it is one more physical manifestation of the powerful collaboration among all Alliance members."

The Alliance is seeking donations earmarked for van operation, as well as for the future purchase of additional vans. Companies are invited to sponsor a van, and have their logo appear on it — a moving billboard! — in exchange for a sponsorship donation. If you or your company is interested in supporting the Alliance transport program, please contact us at info@AnimalAllianceNYC.org.