FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Thursday, July 13, 2006

ASPCA Pledges $10K to Mayor's Alliance for Pet Transport Costs

Challenges New Yorkers to match grant for city's homeless pets.

New York, NY – Thursday, July 13, 2006 – In an effort to salvage a program aimed at protecting the city's homeless pets, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) is pledging $10,000 to the Mayor's Alliance for NYC's Animals, Inc. and is challenging New Yorkers to match its donation.

The rising cost of gasoline has curtailed the efforts of the Mayor's Alliance to fuel a transport van that shuttles animals from city shelters to foster homes until the animals can be adopted. Most of these animals would otherwise be euthanized.

The ASPCA will donate $10,000 to the Mayor's Alliance to continue its transportation initiative as fuel costs rise and hopes the public will match it, dollar-for-dollar, by July 31, 2006.

"We hate to see rising gas prices usurp efforts to save the lives of adoptable pets," says Edwin Sayres, President and CEO of the ASPCA. "The Mayor's Alliance program is crucial in saving the lives of cats and dogs that otherwise would never have a chance and in getting us closer to our goal of being a no-kill city."

Fuel costs have risen 31 percent since last July, to $3.11 per gallon. The Mayor's Alliance had budgeted $15,000 for the transport van, but costs have since tripled.

Supporters can contribute by visiting www.aspca.org/alliance or mail donations to the ASPCA, c/o Mayor's Alliance, 424 E. 92nd Street, New York NY 10128.

 


The Mayor's Alliance for NYC's Animals, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation, was formed in 2005 with a $15.5 million grant from the Maddie's Fund and a lead grant of $5 million from the ASPCA. It brings together more than 90 nonprofit animal care groups in New York City and works hand-in-hand with New York City's Animal Care & Control to increase pet adoptions and reduce euthanasia through programs such as the transport van.

Founded in 1866, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) was the first humane organization established in the Western Hemisphere and today has one million supporters. The ASPCA's mission is to provide effective means for the prevention of cruelty to animals throughout the United States. The ASPCA provides national leadership in humane education, government affairs and public policy, shelter support, and animal poison control. The NYC headquarters houses a full-service animal hospital, animal behavior center, and adoption facility. The Humane Law Enforcement department enforces New York's animal cruelty laws and is featured on the reality television series Animal Precinct on Animal Planet. Visit www.aspca.org for more information.

 


Contact:

Anita K. Edson, ASPCA

(212) 876-7700 ext. 4566

anitae@aspca.org

 

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