More than 300 homeless dogs, cats, and rabbits seeking new homes at NYC’s original mega pet adoption event hosted by Mayor’s Alliance for NYC’s Animals
Sunday, September 20, 2015 – New York, NY – More than 300 homeless New Yorkers — of the four-legged variety — were gathered in Manhattan’s Union Square Park this afternoon waiting to find their new forever homes at Adoptapalooza, NYC’s original mega pet adoption event. The event, which featured dogs, cats, and rabbits in need of loving homes, presented for adoption by dozens of local rescue groups and shelters, was hosted by the Mayor’s Alliance for NYC’s Animals (the Alliance), in partnership with the Petco Foundation.
The Alliance is a private, non-profit charity that works with more than 150 partner rescue groups and shelters to offer important programs and services that save the lives of NYC’s homeless animals. Since 2003, when the Alliance was founded, the dedicated efforts of these groups, including Animal Care Centers of NYC (ACC), have saved the lives of more than 275,000 cats and dogs.
Among those looking for homes today were six-month-old Heather, a Russian Blue kitten who was left in a cardboard box near a dumpster until a Good Samaritan saw the box moving and alerted a nearby animal hospital; Lucas, a one-year-old cat found as a stray, who loves people so much that he often gives them hugs; and Marlon Brando, a shy — at first — and very gentle one-year-old Lab.
Jane Hoffman, founder and president of the Alliance, who was on site for the event, said, “Our Adoptapalooza mega adoption events give New Yorkers a valuable opportunity to meet hundreds of wonderful animals in one place, in a venue that’s ideal for bringing the entire family. This is especially important because adopting an animal companion is a family decision. I’d like to thank the Petco Foundation, sponsors, volunteers — and especially our new adopters — for doing their part to provide these wonderful animals new and loving homes.”
Hoffman stressed four good reasons for adopting a family pet from a shelter or rescue group instead of purchasing from a pet store or irresponsible breeder:
- Shelters and rescue groups know their animals’ personalities and are great at matching pets with prospective owners.
- Adopting a pet from a shelter or rescue group avoids supporting puppy mills, which breed animals under cruel and deplorable conditions.
- Shelters and rescue groups offer a wide variety of breeds and mixes, including many pure breeds.
- Rescue pets have already been spayed or neutered, vaccinated, and many have been microchipped; and adoption fees generally are considerably lower than fees charged by pet stores and breeders.
Today at Adoptapalooza, a special Vetco clinic offered free microchips to its first 50 four-legged customers. The NYC Department of Health offered on-site dog licensing, and experts from New York City Emergency Management/Ready New York provided emergency preparedness guidance to pet owners. Rock & Rawhide collected toys and clean linens for shelter animals. The family-friendly event also included face painting and temporary tattoos for children, animal paintings by The Paint Place, and free photos of pets with their owners.
For more information, please visit www.AnimalAllianceNYC.org.
About the Mayor’s Alliance for NYC’s Animals®
The Mayor’s Alliance for NYC’s Animals® is a 501(c)(3) non-profit charity that works with more than 150 partner rescue groups and shelters to offer important programs and services that save the lives of NYC’s homeless animals. We are supported entirely by donations from foundations, corporations, and individuals and receive no government funding. Since our founding in 2003, we have remained committed to transforming New York City into a community where no dogs or cats of reasonable health and temperament will be killed merely because they do not have homes. www.AnimalAllianceNYC.org
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