Mayor’s Alliance for NYC’s Animals refines role, transitions key programs to other non-profits
This video was produced by Susan Richard/New Day Media and appeared as part of the following article on 1010WINS.com:
NEW YORK (1010 WINS) Mission accomplished for the Mayor’s Alliance for NYC’s Animals.
Incorporated in 2003 under the direction of Jane Hoffman, the Alliance was created as an independent non-profit charity, tasked with forming a strategic plan to reduce the euthanasia rate at Animal Care & Control (now Animal Care Centers of NYC), which was 75% at the time. The goal was to make New York “no kill”, where no healthy or treatable cats and dogs are killed simply because they do not have homes.
No-kill, according to industry standards, means achieving 90% live release, either through direct adoptions or placement with other rescue organizations. For the past three years, ACC has reached that mark for animals in their care (excluding owner-requested euthanasia), and so, the Alliance is now restructuring operations.
“Having accomplished its mission to make NYC a no-kill city,” Hoffman told 1010 WINS, “the Alliance has reevaluated its programming to adapt to the changing needs of animal welfare in NYC.” As part of its new direction, the Alliance has transferred key programs, including Wheels of Hope, Adoptapalooza and The New York City Feral Cat Initiative, to other non-profit partners.
“Going forward, the Alliance will continue in its role as a capacity-builder, a connector, and the hub for NYC animal welfare,” says Hoffman. That includes maintaining an updated website to serve as a self-help desk for NYC residents who want to help animals or who need help themselves. The Alliance will also continue to provide limited services, resources, and guidance to local rescue groups and shelters, and will work with the City of New York to address animal welfare-related issues. Hoffman also says the organization will be available to guide or mentor other municipalities across the country.
After successfully giving 130,000 animals a life-saving ride between 2003 and 2019, the Wheels of Hope transport program was transferred to Best Friends Animal Society, including Alliance drivers, transport coordinators, vehicles, and all other assets.
Adoptapalooza brings twice-yearly mega adoption events to Union Square in Manhattan (along with other locations), where as many as 500 animals from dozens of shelters and rescue groups are available to potential adopters. After more than 17,000 animals found homes through Adoptapalooza, event coordination is now in the hands of Rock & Rawhide.
The New York City Feral Cat Initiative, which supports organizations and individuals who work to help feral and stray community cats through Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR), has been transferred to Bideawee as part of a major expansion of its mission.
These programs are widely considered to have been a game-changer for homeless animals in New York City. Get more information about the Mayor’s Alliance at AnimalAllianceNYC.org.
