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.

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Picasson Veterinary Fund The Picasso Veterinary Fund

The Picasso Veterinary Fund provides financial assistance to help pay for extraordinary medical treatment for homeless animals taken in by Animal Care & Control of New York City (AC&C) and transferred to other Alliance Participating Organizations (APOs) for adoption. Through the work of this fund, dogs and cats facing serious medical issues, but who have an otherwise bright future, receive lifesaving care. For those of you who are not able to adopt one of these special animals, but who would still like to help, donations can be made via check or online.

Make a Donation

Click here or on the button below to make a secure online donation to the Picasso Veterinary Fund using your credit card. Please type "Picasso Veterinary Fund" in the designation box.

You may also send a check or money order** made payable to "Mayor's Alliance for NYC's Animals" with "Picasso Veterinary Fund" in the memo to:

Mayor's Alliance for NYC's Animals

Attn: Picasso Veterinary Fund

244 Fifth Avenue, Suite R290

New York, NY 10001-7604

**Please include your e-mail address with your check or money order — we now send donation confirmation letters for your taxes by e-mail. You can note that you don't wish to receive future e-mails from us — otherwise, please know we respect your time and send notices sparingly.

The Mayor's Alliance for NYC's Animals is recognized by the IRS as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization (EIN: 73-1653635). All donations are tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law. A copy of the Mayor's Alliance for NYC's Animals' latest annual report may be obtained, upon request, from the Mayor's Alliance for NYC's Animals or from the New York State Attorney General's Charities Bureau, Attn: FOIL Officer, 120 Broadway, New York, NY 10271.

Picasso Picasso's Story

In the winter of 2000, an eight-month-old abandoned puppy, a handsome Pit Bull mix born with a beautifully twisted muzzle, was picked up by the C.A.C.C. and given the unfortunate name of Phantom (as in the opera). FidoNYC, a rescue organization founded by Bernadette Peters and Mary Tyler Moore, saved him and placed him at the BARC Shelter in Brooklyn. FidoNYC's managing director, Stacey Shubb, brought a picture of him to Bernadette and her friend, Richard Hester. Because of his cubist face, they renamed him Picasso.

Remembered by His Family…

Picasso's adoptive family describes in their own words how Picasso came into their lives and created memories that will last a lifetime:

Picasso entered our lives the first day we volunteered to walk dogs at BARC Out came Picasso, his tail wagging his body, head bobbing back and forth in excitement. When we decided to adopt him, the amazingly warm and committed people at BARC held Picasso for two months while we looked for a "pets-ok" apartment. They said they could see that we loved him, not the novelty of his face, and so they would care for him until we could bring him home.

Picasso was a walking definition of "social animal." He dragged us to doggie daycare, to the vet, to the pet store, if only to say hello and get some pets. He loved to run, sprinting like a greyhound, in dog runs and playgrounds and his favorite place of all, the beach. In line with his St. Francis Terrier (a.k.a. Pit Bull) heritage, he was an effervescent comedian, a tap dancer, an amazingly quick study, a sweet and cuddly lap dog who loved nothing more than to lay his head on your knee. We were always amazed at what a good dog he was. He never chewed, ripped, or rummaged through anything. He showed cats, squirrels, and birds the utmost courtesy. He lived to be fed, brushed, walked, talked to, petted, praised, loved. As one friend aptly put it, he lived to be good. He melted many a heart with his warm golden eyes and snuffling, snorty nose.

Picasso In March 2003, a few months before his fourth birthday, he was diagnosed with chronic kidney failure (CRF), in all likelihood congenital. The veterinarians on his case believed he had adapted to the increasing toxins in his blood throughout his short life, which is why he was virtually asymptomatic until his disease was terribly advanced. But even while sick, his lively spirit and sense of humor endured.

Wanting to support him during whatever time he had left, we educated ourselves about caring for dogs with kidney failure and gave him the best possible care. This incredible, wonderful boy, who was given one week to live after being diagnosed with end-stage CRF, spent three more wonderful months with us, before his body finally wore out.

Picasso had many friends, human and canine. He was always lucky to survive puppyhood, to be saved by FidoNYC, to land at BARC. He was lucky, and so were we. Hopefully, the Picasso Veterinary Fund will give other rescued animals the chance to find homes and bring joy into their humans' lives, as he did.

The Picasso Veterinary Fund in Action

Each issue of Out of the Cage!, the e-newsletter of the Mayor's Alliance for NYC's Animals, features stories of animals that have been helped with money from the Picasso Veterinary Fund.

Meet Sam, the First Picasso Veterinary Fund Recipient!

Injured Puppy Gets a Leg Up from Picasso Fund (October 2004)

Hardwick Makes Headway (November 2004)

Picasso Tales of Second Chances: Edgar, Woody, Belmont, Beau, and Beethoven (December 2004)

One Sure Way YOU Can Make a Difference for NYC's Homeless Animals: Ivory and Trooper (January 2005)

Mortimer – The Kind of Dog You'd Get for Grandma and the Kids (February/March 2005)

Trinity – An Easter Blessing (April 2005)

Three Cool Cats Get a Chance for Fine Lives (June 2005)

On the Road to Recovery — and New Homes (July/August 2005)

Kitten Scores Leg Surgery and a New Home (September 2005)

Goldie with the Heart of Gold (October 2005)

Picasso Veterinary Fund Recipients Are Home for the Holidays (November/December 2005)