Adoption fair presented by the Mayor’s Alliance for NYC’s Animals also offers Emergency Preparedness Clinic for pet owners
Sunday, September 8, 2013 – Brooklyn, NY – Manhattan’s Union Square Park was transformed today into New York City’s pet adoption capital as the Mayor’s Alliance for NYC’s Animals, in partnership with the Petco Foundation, hosted Adoptapalooza, where animal lovers had the opportunity to adopt lovable cats, dogs, and rabbits.
Celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, the Alliance is a non-profit private charity that partners with more than 150 local animal rescue groups and shelters to offer important programs and services that help save the lives of New York City’s homeless animals. Last year alone, more than 38,000 dogs and cats were taken in by local shelters and rescue groups — each in need of a loving forever home.
Today, at Adoptapalooza, dozens of rescue groups and shelters had on hand more than 300 animals available for adoption. Last year, approximately 75 percent of the pets at Adoptapalooza went home with a new family.
Jane Hoffman, President of the Alliance, said, “Every year, Adoptapalooza helps raise awareness about why it’s important to adopt a pet from a rescue group or shelter. Many of these animals have had a tough journey and the Alliance is committed to giving them a chance to find a safe and happy home.”
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 reduces the demand for puppy mills which breed animals under cruel and deplorable conditions.
- Shelters and rescue groups offer a wide variety of breeds and mixes, including 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.
Adoptapalooza also featured an important emergency preparedness clinic for pet owners, which included participation by the New York City Office of Emergency Management (OEM)/Ready New York. The Alliance offered low-cost microchipping and free ID tags for dogs and cats, and the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene provided on-the-spot dog licensing (which is required by law in NYC). OEM unveiled Ready New York: My Pet’s Emergency Plan, a new interactive workbook designed to help people and their pets prepare for emergencies. The workbook was created with input from the Alliance, Animal Care & Control of NYC, and the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA).
Adoptapalooza provided fun for the whole family. Face and tattoo painting, balloon sculptures, and caricature portraits kept children entertained in the Kids’ Korner, while Petco trainers treated dogs and their owners to free, fun dog training sessions throughout the afternoon. Many event-goers went home with plenty of free pet food and other samples provided by the event’s sponsors.
Author Ken Foster was on hand signing copies of his newest book, I’m A Good Dog: Pit Bulls, America’s Most Beautiful (and Misunderstood) Pet.
Rock & Rawhide, a non-profit organization that provides distraction therapy with toys, blankets, bones, and other comforting items to help increase adoptions, again this year collected pet toys and clean linens for the animals at Animal Care & Control of NYC, and other shelters.
Hoffman extended her gratitude to the Petco Foundation, vendor sponsors, volunteers, community members, and others, including today’s adopters, who made this adoption event a great success.
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 no-kill shelters to offer important programs and services to save the lives of NYC’s homeless animals. Receiving no government funding, we are supported by donations from foundations, corporations, and individuals. As we mark our tenth anniversary in 2013, we are committed to transforming New York City into a no-kill community by 2015: 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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