NYCA News Spring, 2005 by Patty Adjamine

New Yorkers for Companion Animals, Inc.
PO Box, 286124 . New York, NY. 10128-0002. (212) 427-8273.
NYFCA@aol.com
www.NYCA.net

"No Kill, Please"

We in animal rescue/placement recognize the first signs of Spring, not by the new buds on the trees, but by the new sets of feline mothers and their nursing babies flooding into our city shelters.  It serves as grim reminder that we have not yet solved our animal overpopulation/abandonment and "needs to euthanize" problems in New York City.

During the past few years, New Yorkers have been lulled into some complacency on the issue of pet overpopulation/euthanization by "feel good" press stories and exaggerated promises of some in the animal community which state that we can be a "no kill" city in "five years" and more recently, "ten years."

The truth is that it is highly unlikely New York can be "no kill" anytime soon as there remains too much ignorance and lack of responsibility/commitment perpetrated against too many animals in New York.   Too many people seek to make money by exploiting, breeding and abandoning too many pit bulls (and other common breed dogs).  Too many people fail to neuter their cats and dump the unplanned litters at the city shelters.   Too many people abandon pets of all types and breeds, often for trivial reasons, such as "moving,"  "pregnancy" or "have no time for."  Too many "no-pet" landlords make it impossible for responsible people to acquire and keep pets in their apartments.  And too many people demand kittens and puppies fully ignoring the loving adult animals lingering in shelters, dying on streets or being euthanized in pounds.

The result of all these and many more scenarios is that we don't have enough shelters, rescue groups, fosters or homes for all the animals who need them.  Each day, many dozens of otherwise adoptable, loving, dogs and cats are destroyed in our city shelters because of "space" and time limitations.

The news of course is not all grim.  There is hope and positive change on the horizon.  The acquisition of Ed Boks as Director of the beleaguered Animal Care and Control shelters (formerly, "CACC"), is a positive step in the right direction.   Since his taking over the direction of our city pounds, Boks has forged a far more positive image, attitude and goals.  Shelters have been painted, cages renovated and animals better cared-for creating a more cheerful, welcoming and accommodating environment for potential adopters.  The AC&C now works better with rescue groups and in its "New Hope" program, has released thousands of animals to responsible no-kill shelters and rescue groups thereby greatly reducing the needs for euthanasia.  As a New Hope partner to AC&C, we at New Yorkers for Companion Animals greatly applaud these new efforts, as well as AC&C's involvement in many offsite adoption events.  There are indeed many positive changes at our city shelters and we urge our members and the public to support them.

But, for all the positive efforts and changes on the adoptions and rescue sides, the tide of abandoned, stray, orphaned and lost animals remains infinitely higher than what either shelters or rescue groups can accommodate and provide safe sanctuary for.  That is why the heading of this newsletter is not "No Kill," but rather, "No Kill, Please.

Because New York City cannot become "no kill," without greater involvement, support, compassion and responsibility on the part of the people of our great city. 

We need the help of everyone who cares about animals, no matter how much or how little or in whatever ways.  Can't adopt a cat or dog?  Consider fostering.  It is the most direct, lifesaving way one can help animals.  Can't take in an animal because of being in a "no pet" apartment?  Consider getting together with other tenants to petition or gently persuade the landlord for compromise and change.  Do you have pets already and cannot take in more?   Please donate or volunteer.

The rescue of animals is a very time and resource-consuming endeavor.  Rescued cats and dogs need to be properly housed and cared for until they are adopted. For those rescue groups without formal shelters, (like ours) this means costly boarding of dogs and food/supply costs for cats in foster. Our ability to rescue animals is directly proportionate to our abilities to raise funds for responsible and proper care until the animals are adopted.  Since many animals remain under a rescue group's care for months before a responsible adopter is found, our costs are considerable.

It must be remembered that shelters and rescue groups are not the "solution" to animal overpopulation, abandonment and "needs to euthanize."  We are a temporary stopgap to it. We are able to save some of the animals.  The tragic truth however, is that most animals abandoned or strayed in our city pounds fall through the safetynets designed to save them.   As rescue groups and shelters, we are limited in resources to save all the animals who need saving.  Only with the support and responsibility and caring of the public community can we save more -- and perhaps eventually and hopefully, all.

Please support in any way you can, rescue groups like New Yorkers for Companion Animals.

Please support our city shelters.  The website for AC&C is:  www.NYCACC.org.   The address for the Manhattan shelter is 326 East 110th Street.  The phone number is (212) 722-4939.  To foster, adopt, contribute or help in other ways, New Yorkers for Companion Animals, please call us at (212) 427-8273.  

Those familiar with the show, Animal Miracles, televised on Animal Planet are amazed with the many times and ways formerly doomed stray or pound animals have later saved in some way, their human caregivers.  There are countless examples of this.  And yet, one wonders how many loving dogs and cats are destroyed every day who, at some point, might have aided or even saved their human companion?  It is our spiritual duty to aid those less powerful than ourselves.  Many times, it is its own reward.  But, sometimes it is more.

Please take a few moments to consider how you might help New York to eventually become "no kill."  Think not of what you can't do.  Think of what you can.  Think not of saving every needy cat or dog.  Think of saving one.  If foster or adoption is not an option for you, consider sponsorship of a pet needing rescue and safe sanctuary.  Call us for more information.

In the final analysis, it is sadly not, "no kill," but "No Kill, Please."   For New York cannot become "no kill," without you.

Yours for a one-day no kill city,

Patty, Kathy, Dave, Ann and the many wonderful fosters of New Yorkers for Companion Animals.

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