2019 was an important, transitional year for the Mayor’s Alliance for NYC’s Animals. Thanks to the programs and services created by the Alliance, combined with the hard work and dedication of the more than 150 Alliance Participating Organizations that collaborated in our mission, and the generous and continuing support from caring supporters whose donations fueled our efforts, the live release rate at Animal Care Centers of NYC (ACC) exceeded 90% for the third consecutive year.

As we have done each year since the Alliance was created, in 2019 we reevaluated our programming to adapt to the evolving landscape of animal welfare in NYC. We began to refocus our efforts to emphasize services that we felt best capitalized upon our unique position within the ecosystem of animal welfare in NYC.

We began to reimagine our website to be a more in-depth tool, featuring a wider and more diverse range of resources for two important constituencies that over the years have looked to the Alliance for guidance and information: pet owners who need help and people who want to help New York City’s animals.

Looking ahead to a new decade, we carefully fine-tuned our focus to emphasize our role as the capacity-builder, connector, and hub for NYC animal welfare. As such, we will devote our resources to:

Advocating for pet adoption, spay/neuter, and responsible pet ownership.

Providing limited services, resources, and guidance to local animal rescue groups and shelters.

Acting as a consultant, advisor, and mentor to communities nationally.

Working with the City of New York, thinking critically and strategically, to address animal welfare-related issues.

In 2019, having achieved our mission to make New York City a no-kill city with a sustained 90%-plus live release rate, we thoughtfully and carefully transitioned our key programming to other nonprofit partners who demonstrated both the capacity and the resources to continue the vital work and take it to the next level.

After transporting more than 130,000 animals from ACC to permanent new homes, foster homes, and no-kill animal shelters and rescue groups, in May 2019 we made the strategic decision to transition our Wheels of Hope program — including drivers, transport coordinators, vehicles, and other Wheels of Hope assets — to Best Friends Animal Society.

After finding homes for more than 17,000 animals at Adoptapalooza events over the years, in May 2019 we transferred Adoptapalooza — including its volunteers, event equipment and supplies, and online presence — to Rock & Rawhide.

Having provided guidance and information to thousands of people who care about NYC’s feral and stray community cats, and providing Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) training to more than 14,000 individuals over the past 14 years, in October 2019, we transferred the NYC Feral Cat Initiative — including personnel, training and outreach materials, and physical equipment and supplies, including a transport vehicle — to Bideawee.

Your support has been critical to our success in transforming New York City into a community where homeless animals can enjoy a bright future. And your continued support will help us renew our efforts to improve the lives of NYC’s animals and the people who care for them in the year ahead. Please continue to follow our activities on our website, our blog, and Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Thank you.

Jane Hoffman, President
Mayor’s Alliance for NYC’s Animals