Adopt a furry valentine - by Amy Sacks, New York Daily News - Mayor's Alliance for NYC's Animals, Inc. - Working with the City of New York to promote dog and cat adoption and spay and neuter programs to make New York a no-kill city.

Home > The Alliance in the News > 2005 Alliance News Items > Adopt a furry valentine

Saturday, February 5, 2005

It was a miracle that Cecilia survived. But just days after firefighters rescued the terrier mix from a raging Bronx blaze, owner Jose Lopez was forced to surrender his beloved pooch to the city shelter.

Today, the seven-year-old dog, nicknamed Miracle, spends lonely days languishing in a cage at the New York Animal Care and Control's Manhattan shelter.

"I feel helpless," said Lopez, 39, a music producer. He is living in temporary housing that doesn't allow dogs. The only choice he had was to "either put her in the shelter or be out there on the street."

Because it could take a year before his gutted apartment is renovated, Lopez is hoping his playful mutt can be placed in temporary foster care, or be adopted out to a loving home.

Sadly, Miracle is among hundreds of the city's needy cats, dogs and domesticated animals that long for a place to call home.

With Valentine's Day around the corner, animal experts say it's a great time for New Yorkers to fall in puppy love. After all, studies show a pet's unconditional love can lower a human's blood pressure, decrease depression and increase longevity in elderly people.

When it comes to meeting a life-long pet companion, some shelter workers claim they have a sixth sense for compatibility.

"The matchmaking role at shelters is far superior to what you can get in a pet store," said ASPCA Vice President Gail Buchwald. "We look at lifestyle preferences…chemistry and a good connection that will last a lifetime."

Buchwald is hoping her well-honed talent can help find that special someone for Konah, a gorgeous black Labrador, who was neglected by her former family before winding up at the ASPCA.

Next week, the 3-year-old puppy will undergo surgery to have her front leg amputated, the result of an old injury from a car accident. She also suffers from diabetes.

Still, the dynamic and cheerful dog is expected to adapt fine to having only three legs. Konah is great with children and cats, too, Buchwald said. But caring for the diabetic pooch will require a committed companion, who must administer two daily injections of insulin that can run about $40 a month. "She's worth it," Buchwald said.

Ed Boks, executive director of New York Animal Care and Control, said although adoptions have increased and euthanasia rates at the shelters have decreased 25% since last year, thousands of animals are still put to death every year because no one will adopt them.

"This is year two of the five-year goal of making the city a no-kill community," Boks said. Spay and neuter programs are effective, he said, but adoption is the key.

The AC&C, which handles animal control under a contract with the city Health Department, takes in more than 40,000 strays a year — 150 to 200 daily. Unlike other shelters, it is mandated to accept all stray and homeless pets. Fortunately, through its New Hope program, no-kill animal welfare groups take many of these animals that might otherwise have to be euthanized.

One partner, the Humane Society of New York, recently took in Jasmine, a cocker spaniel, who landed at the AC&C in 1999 as a stray. The buff and white puppy was quickly adopted by a man who suffered from multiple sclerosis and had her trained as a service dog.

In 2001, Jasmine was presented AC&C's Hero Award for her loyal companionship. Last month, Jasmine's owner died and the adorable 7-year-old orphan landed back in the shelter.

Other dogs, such as Lady Blue, a sweet year-old pit-bull mix recently found riding the A train from Harlem, and Mookie, a stray recently found on the field at Shea Stadium, along with hundreds of dogs and fabulous felines, remain at AC&C shelters.

Thousands of potential New York love stories are waiting to happen at animal agencies throughout the city, Buchwald said, and "Valentine's Day is a great time to spread the love."

To find out more about adopting these and other loving animals, contact the AC&C at www.nycacc.org; ASPCA at (212) 876-7700, ext. 4120, or online at www.aspca.org, and the Humane Society of N.Y. at (212) 752-4842, or www.humanesocietyny.org. For a complete list of city rescue groups, go to the Mayor's Alliance for New York City Animals at www.AnimalAllianceNYC.org.