New York City's Pet Adoption Rate Is Highest In The Nation

NEW YORK, NY — Animal Care Centers of New York City (ACC) released a Wednesday press release announcing that the overall, first-quarter placement rate for dogs and cats had reached a historic 94.3 percent, with 92.6 percent of dogs and 95.5 of cats in its centers being placed either through adoptions by the public or through the ACC adoption partner program. For some context, the ACC reveals that these numbers represent a 24-percent increase over 2016, with 1,345 fewer animals entering the shelter system than last year.

According to the ACC, this increase is attributed to a variety of factors, including the provision of services and resources designed to keep families and their pets together as well as efforts to mitigate the abandonment of pets.

“We have instituted new adoption protocols to make it easier for New Yorkers to find their perfect pet,” ACC President and CEO Risa Weinstock said in the release, “and with a generous grant from Maddie’s Fund, we were able to update existing cat cages to give our feline residents more room while they wait for their forever home.”

The ACC is the only animal shelter that serves all five boroughs and does not turn away animals based on age, breed, health, behavior or other tendencies — as opposed to “no kill” or “limited admission” shelters that are often selective of what and how many animals they accept. (For more New York City news, click here to sign up for Patch's daily newsletter and free, real-time news alerts.)

Assembly member Yuh-Line Niou expressed her own brand of gratitude.

“As a proud momma to Mr. Puds, my life-saving rescue who rescued me right back, I commend [the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene] and ACC on their dog and cat placement efforts throughout our city,” said Niou.

“It is critical that we encourage the humane treatment of pets, and I am thankful for the various programs that shelter and treat the most vulnerable animals and the counseling services meant to educate and support individuals looking to surrender their pets.”

The ACC encourages New Yorkers to play an active role in animal welfare by adopting, fostering, volunteering or donating to animals in need. A full list of animals available for adoption is available on the ACC website.

Photo credit: Pixabay