Out of the Cage! (Holiday 2006)

Uptown/Downtown: New and Improved Adoption Facilities Expand Capacity

Two important developments are aimed at increasing pet adoptions in NYC and moving the city that much closer to its goal of becoming a no-kill community: the expansion of the ASPCA's adoption center on East 92nd Street and the opening of Animal Haven's SoHo adoption center.

In September, the ASPCA, a founding member and major supporter of the Mayor's Alliance for NYC's Animals, cut the ribbon on its expanded, state-of-the art adoption facility at 424 East 92nd Street in Manhattan. The adoption center renovation, two years in the making, was officially unveiled on September 18 at a ceremony hosted by ASPCA President and CEO Edwin Sayres and attended by ASPCA staff and volunteers, donors, community leaders, media representatives, and other well-wishing individuals.

Described by Sayres as the most innovative shelter space NYC has ever seen, the expanded facility can accommodate up to 350 dogs and cats. This is a 40 percent increase over the center's former capacity.

The facility is open, modern, and bright, and features playrooms where potential adopters can get acquainted with the animals. Spacious rooms and communal habitats — with plush pads, comfy beds, and other homey amenities — have replaced traditional cages. This transformation not only creates a more friendly setting for the animals but also provides ASPCA staff with greater visibility to identify problem behaviors and correct them before the animal is adopted. As a result, fewer adopted animals will be returned to the shelter.

Design innovations that provide a more animal- and people-friendly environment include portals in the plush kitty condos that allow horizontal and vertical movement from one unit to another, and glass-fronted dog pens that feature "scent holes" at knee level to encourage canine residents to sniff visitors and claim treats without jumping. The facility's acoustical ceilings and noise-reducing glass help muffle barking, while the soothing sounds of "dog laughter" and birdsong are piped through the rooms, creating a restful, low-stress atmosphere. Additionally, ten to twelve air exchanges each hour keep the air fresh and help reduce the spread of disease, while eco-friendly surfaces provide for easier cleaning.

According to Steve Musso, Executive Vice President of Operations, who oversaw the adoption center's transformation, "people space" in the facility was reduced in order to allow more space for the animals. "As a no-kill organization that seeks to find a home for every adoptable animal, we wanted more quality, long term housing in an environment that reduces their stress and boosts their chances of adoption," he said.

Meanwhile, downtown in Manhattan's trendy SoHo neighborhood, finishing touches are being made on Animal Haven's new adoption center and boutique at 251 Centre Street, near Broome Street. Despite minor delays in converting the former machine shop into an inviting boutique-style adoption facility, Animal Haven anticipates a January opening. A gala pre-opening party on the evening of December 12 was attended by celebrities (including Maddie!), the media, and many supporters and friends who were treated to a preview of the state-of-the art facility that will feature adoptable dogs and cats plus retail pet supplies, grooming, training, and educational facilities. (Click here to read a previous Out of the Cage! article about Animal Haven SoHo.)

Animal Haven Executive Director Marcello Forte notes that the 7,000-square-foot space is ideally located where heavy walk-by traffic will keep adoptions brisk and turnover high. The center will accommodate 25–35 cats and 10–15 dogs (depending on size) around-the-clock, and will be open seven days a week.

Funding for the creation of Animal Haven's SoHo adoption center was provided by the Mayor's Alliance following a review of proposals submitted by several Alliance Participating Organizations. Mayor's Alliance President Jane Hoffman explained that the grant was awarded to Animal Haven, a founding member of the Alliance, because its proposal demonstrated both the commitment to get the center up and running and the required fundraising resources and ability to sustain its operation for the long haul. Income generated by the retail services available at the center, along with funds raised through Animal Haven's own fundraising efforts, will allow Animal Haven to manage the center as a self-sustaining operation. (Although start-up costs for the center were provided by a grant from the Mayor's Alliance as part of its strategic plan, the grant's terms require that the facility generates revenues to maintain its ongoing operation. The grant was made possible by the generous support of the ASPCA.)

The expansion of the ASPCA's adoption center uptown and the creation of Animal Haven's adoption center downtown will provide New Yorkers with more opportunities to adopt from a shelter, and also will make the experience that much more pleasant.

For more information about each of these adoption centers, please visit their respective websites: www.aspca.org and www.animalhavenshelter.org.