Release #214-98

Contact: Colleen Roche/Brenda Perez (212) 788-2958

An information pet adoption hotline (212 - 722 - 3620) is available 24 hours, seven days a week for people seeking information on how to adopt a pet from the CACC.

The Mayor was joined by CACC Acting Executive Director Marilyn Blohm, CACC Director of Adoptions and Volunteer Services Jody Jones, and needy puppies, kittens and adult dogs.

"The unconditional love, loyalty and devotion that animals bring to our lives constitute precious rewards awaiting those willing to accept the responsibility of adopting a pet," Mayor Giuliani said. "Thanks to the efforts of the City's Center for Animal Care and Control, thousands of orphaned animals have been put in contact with caring New Yorkers willing to take them into their homes and into their hearts.

"Adopting a pet is a great joy, but also a great responsibility. Making sure that our pets are properly trained, spayed/neutered, vaccinated and checked by a vet every year to prevent disease, is the best way to reciprocate our pets' constant affection," the Mayor concluded.

In 1995, the number of adoptions directly from CACC shelters was 4,703. That number increased to 6,904 in 1996 and to 7,357 in 1997. From 1995 through 1997, CACC completed an additional 31,793 adoptions through local rescue organizations.

As part of the Mayor's FY 1998 budget, an additional $500,000 was allocated for services at CACC that included:

• a newly created post of Director of Adoptions and Volunteer Services;
• a newly created post of Spay/Neuter Coordinator to ensure the spaying/neutering of all CACC adopted animals, promote the importance of spaying/neutering and work with other area shelters to increase compliance;
• an additional medical treatment of contagious and non-contagious diseases for adoption animals;
• a medical clerk in Manhattan to expedite examination and recording of CACC animals' health status; and
• hiring a veterinary technician for Manhattan, specifically to expedite the adoption process by handling vaccinations, microchip ID's, and other requirements.