ASPCA, Mayor's Alliance for NYC's Animals Support Efforts To Save Philly's Homeless Pets

NEW YORK, February 6, 2008 -- Following Monday night’s WPVI-TV6 report, "Accusations of Animal Neglect," which cites criticisms of Philadelphia Animal Care and Control (PACCA), the ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®) and the Mayor’s Alliance for New York City’s Animals today issued the following reminder: that partnerships between animal control and non-profit agencies are precisely what is helping the save rate for homeless animals in New York City and communities across the country, and should not be lost sight of due to differences of opinion.

"There are challenges in maintaining partnerships among organizations with varying philosophies, and significant citywide improvement in animal welfare will require continued support and resources," said ASPCA President and CEO Ed Sayres, in referring to Philadelphia in particular, "But these challenges are not unique to Philadelphia.

"There is a common goal, and that’s to save as many lives as possible," Sayres added. "With an inclusive, collaborative model, we can and will continue to make a difference to the animals most at risk and sustain that difference over the long term."

The ASPCA’s support of animal welfare organizations in Philadelphia is long-standing. For over two years, the organization has partnered with Philadelphia’s leading animal welfare agencies, including the Pennsylvania SPCA (PSPCA) and PACCA, in its ASPCA® Mission: Orange^TM campaign, which aims for a sustainable 75 percent "save rate" by mid-2010. ASPCA Mission: Orange is being implemented in target communities across the country, including its hometown, New York City.

"The very issues identified in Philadelphia are an intrinsic part of our community collaboration here in NYC, where our 10-year goal is to make NYC a city where no healthy or treatable cat or dog is euthanized simply because he or she does not have a home," said Jane Hoffman, President of the Mayor’s Alliance for NYC’s Animals.

"Animal Care & Control is the center of our efforts here in New York because they have the largest number of animals at risk -- the animals who most need our help," Hoffman continued. "That emphasis on supporting our local Animal Care & Control is what is allowing us to reach our goal of making New York City ’no-kill.’"

In New York, as in Philadelphia and other ASPCA Mission: Orange communities around the country, neglected and abused cats and dogs are taken to the local animal control facility -- often in horrible and heartbreaking conditions. The transfer of those animals to shelters or rescue groups better equipped to care for them happens on a regular basis.

"We are happy to be able to assist the AC&C and are collectively proud to be part of saving those lives when we can, rather than disparaging the organization that’s there to take in those animals," said Hoffman. Further, she said transfers to rescue groups and shelters and direct adoptions to the public from the AC&C are reported as one number: the number of cats and dogs that are saved, or exit the shelter alive.

"Early on we requested that our Department of Health allow AC&C to count transfers to its rescue partners as ’adoptions’ to emphasize the collaborative nature of what our project here in NYC is all about," Hoffman explained.

At PACCA’s request, the ASPCA will provide a team of veterinarians to consult with PACCA and the University of Pennsylvania between February 11 and 13, to review shelter procedures and offer suggestions for improving animal health and husbandry issues, as well as reducing the spread of disease.

"To us, success is about each partner organization fulfilling its unique role in the effort to achieve our joint goal of saving lives," said Sayres. "We believe Philadelphia will rise to the challenge."

About the ASPCA®
Founded in 1866, the ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®) was the first humane organization established in the Americas, and today has more than one million supporters throughout North America. A 501 [c] [3] not-for-profit corporation, the ASPCA’s mission is to provide effective means for the prevention of cruelty to animals throughout the United States. The ASPCA provides local and national leadership in animal-assisted therapy, animal behavior, animal poison control, anti-cruelty, humane education, legislative services, and shelter outreach. The New York City headquarters houses a full-service, accredited animal hospital, adoption center, and mobile clinic outreach program. The Humane Law Enforcement department enforces New York’s animal cruelty laws and is featured on the reality television series "Animal Precinct" on Animal Planet. For more information, please visit www.aspca.org.

About The Mayor’s Alliance for NYC’s Animals
The Mayor’s Alliance for NYC’s Animals, a 501 [c] (3) not-for-profit corporation, was formed in 2005 with a $15.5 million grant from the Maddie’s Fund® and a lead grant of $5 million from the ASPCA. It brings together more than 100 nonprofit animal care groups in New York City and works hand-in-hand with New York City’s Animal Care and Control to increase pet adoptions and reduce euthanasia.