$10 million investment in new facilities will remove barriers, boost medical treatment
NYCLASS: “The greatest city in the world deserves a world-class animal shelter system”
BRONX – City-led pet adoptions in New York City shelters are set to double over the next few years – to nearly 16,000 – as a result of the new full-service animal shelters coming to Queens and the Bronx, according to new projections released today by NYCLASS and Bronx Council Members.
The new projections come on the heels of Mayor Bill de Blasio’s inclusion of $10 million for the design and siting of new shelters in the two boroughs – an investment that has been at the core of NYCLASS’ agenda for years.
“NYCLASS believes that the greatest city in the world deserves a world-class animal shelter system – with full-service shelters in every borough,” said Allie Taylor, Executive Director of NYCLASS. “These projections show that not only will the new full-service shelters mean better, more humane care for shelter animals, but they will help connect more New Yorkers to loving companions. It’s a win-win for animals and for New Yorkers.”
Specifically, the projections show that city-led pet adoptions will jump to nearly 16,000 by 2018, up from approximately 7,000 this year (Table below) – primarily as a result of building brick and mortar facilities in each borough to expand pet adoption.
| YEAR | CITY-LED ADOPTIONS |
# INCREASE Y-O-Y |
% INCREASE Y-O-Y |
| 2012 | 4,805 | N/A | N/A |
| 2013 | 6,145 | 1,340 | 28% |
| 2014 | 6,184 | 39 | 1% |
| 2015 | 7,158 | 974 | 16% |
| 2016 | 7,373 | 215 | 8% |
| 2017 | 11,954 | 4,221 | 55% |
| 2018 | 15,942 | 4,348 | 36% |
| ** These numbers do not include pet adoptions conducted by the New Hope Partners program, which currently provides the vast majority of adoptions in New York City. | |||
The projection assumes modest growth in the number of overall adoptions – a three percent increase year over year. It also assumes that the new shelters will have similar adoption levels as their counterparts in Manhattan and Brooklyn. The numbers include all types of animal adoptions.
“This is great news for animals and animal lovers,” said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. “This project has been a major priority for many of my constituents, and I am happy to join NYCLASS today to celebrate the funding of a full-service animal shelter in my borough. “thanks to the inclusion of this funding in the budget by Mayor de Blasio, we will create a space where animals can receive humane care while pet lovers will have a place where they can adopt a new member of their family, helping reduce animal homelessness and abuse.”
“The creation of full-service animal shelters in the Bronx and Queens is a win for all New Yorkers. These shelters will ensure that more pets will be adopted, making our great City even more humane. I applaud Mayor de Blasio, my colleagues in the Council and all of the advocates who made this a reality. I am committed to working with the City to finding the right location for this future Bronx shelter,” said Council Member Andrew Cohen.
Both Queens and the Bronx currently lack full-service animal shelters and the medical services and adoptions they provide. Instead, residents in these boroughs only have access to receiving centers – meaning that they must travel to another community or wait for a mobile adoption truck – if they want to adopt a pet. This creates an unfair obstacle for adoption for residents of Queens and the Bronx.
Council Member Fernando Cabrera said, “I am thrilled that the Bronx will finally be gaining a full-service animal shelter. Many of the residents of our borough desire to provide animals with safe homes, and now they will be able to do that without facing a number of obstacles. I applaud Mayor de Blasio, Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito, my colleagues in the Council, and all the advocates who fought so hard to bring animal rescue, medical, and adoption services to the Bronx.”
Council Member Annabel Palma said, “I am deeply gratified that funding in this year’s budget has been earmarked for the construction of a full-service, city operated animal shelter within the Bronx. For too long, owners of pets, animal rescuers, and other activists focused on the concerns of injured animals, have been underserved in our great borough. I think this is a big step the city is taking toward creating a more humane environment for these creatures in need.”
Council Member Ritchie Torres said, “The creation of a full-service animal shelter in the Bronx is a victory for all who have been pushing for this necessary service in the borough. It will ensure our furry friends get the treatment and care they deserve. I applaud the Council and Administration for including the creation of animal shelters in the Bronx and Queens in the FY17 City Budget.”
“When it comes to the safety of our furry companions, once again the Bronx is the forgotten borough. We demand the Mayor keep his promise to every animal loving constituent in the city and build a new full-service animal shelter in the Bronx,” said NY State Committeeman Kenny Agosto (D), 78th AD.
Above: NYCLASS projections for city-led animal adoptions over the next several years as a result of the construction of two new full-service shelters.