Nearly 200 cats, kittens, and rabbits available for adoption at this festive event hosted by the Mayor’s Alliance for NYC’s Animals
Saturday, November 14, 2015 – New York, NY – Petco Union Square in Manhattan was filled with fur, fun, and festivities today as the Mayor’s Alliance for NYC’s Animals (Alliance) and its partners presented nearly 200 adorable cats, kittens, and rabbits for adoption at the 6th annual Whiskers in Wonderland. This popular annual event shines a spotlight on New York City’s homeless cats and rabbits and allows adopters to meet a huge variety of these potential new family members in a single, convenient location.
Cats and kittens make up two-thirds of the animals in New York City animal shelters who need permanent and homes. Cats and kittens are also taken in by New York City rescue organizations at a rate of two-to-one compared to dogs, and finding homes for them is critical to the Alliance’s goal of saving lives.
Anyone who wants to acquire a pet rabbit in New York City must now adopt from a shelter or rescue group — or from stores like Petco, which partner with rabbit rescue groups — because of a new law that was passed in New York City earlier this year that bans the sale of rabbits in pet stores. The law is intended to reduce the number of unwanted rabbits who are brought to shelters or released outdoors, where they cannot survive. All rabbits placed for adoption by NYC shelters and rescue groups have been spayed or neutered.
Jane Hoffman, President and Founder of the Alliance for NYC’s Animals, who was on site for the event, said, “The Alliance created Whiskers in Wonderland to raise awareness about all the wonderful cats and rabbits awaiting adoption and to provide a festive, family-friendly opportunity for them to find homes. Some people don’t realize that rabbits can be great New York City pets since they groom themselves, they don’t have to be walked, and they can be litter box trained. But potential rabbit adopters need to be aware of appropriate bunny care in the home. Onsite adoption specialists at Whiskers in Wonderland can educate adopters about proper care for rabbits.
“We encourage families looking to give a gift of a cat or rabbit this upcoming holiday season to bring the whole family to Whiskers in Wonderland this weekend to meet what could become their future family member. It’s always best to involve the whole family since in most cases, caring for the pet is a shared responsibility. And we strongly encourage people never to surprise someone with a gift of a pet — too many of those “holiday surprises” end up in a shelter in the new year.
Among the shelters and rescue groups presenting animals for adoption at Whiskers in Wonderland were: Animal Care Centers of NYC (ACC), Animal Rescue Fund of the Hamptons (ARF), ASPCA, Bideawee, K9Kastle, KittyKind, Linda’s Cat Assistance, Rabbit Rescue & Rehab/NYC Metro Rabbit, Sean Casey Animal Rescue, and Staten Island Hope Animal Rescue.
Visitors and adopters at Whiskers in Wonderland also enjoyed face painting for children, pet product giveaways, and live music. The event will continue on Sunday, November 15, 2015, from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
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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