Res. No. 921

Resolution calling on the New York State Legislature to pass and the Governor to sign A.286, which would provide a tax credit to each taxpayer who adopts a household pet from a shelter.

By Council Members Cumbo, Kallos, Vallone, Ayala and Deutsch

Whereas, According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals ("ASPCA"), millions of dogs and cats are euthanized in animal shelters across the country every year because they have not been adopted into loving homes; and

Whereas, In New York City, there is a great need to encourage more people to adopt dogs and cats from animal shelters; and

Whereas, Animal Care Centers of New York City (ACC) is a not-for-profit rescue organization in New York City under contract with the City with a mission to end animal homelessness in New York City; and

Whereas, ACC is an open admission shelter, meaning the organization will accept any animal, regardless of breed or species; and

Whereas, ACC is the largest pet organization in the northeast and had an adjusted total intake of 21,514 animals in 2018; and

Whereas, Encouraging the adoption of pets would assist ACC in its mission to find homes for the tens of thousands of pets that flow through its doors; and

Whereas, A.286, sponsored by Assemblymember Linda Rosenthal, would provide a one hundred dollar maximum tax credit to each taxpayer who adopts a dog or a cat from a shelter; and

Whereas, A.286 would cover a maximum of the three pets per tax payer; and

Whereas, The cost of adopting a dog or cat can be burdensome for many families and may prevent some people willing to open their homes to a shelter dog or cat from doing so; and

Whereas, Encouraging New Yorkers to adopt pets is not only compassionate, but would also reduce the stress on resources of the shelters that house and care for adoptable animals; and

Whereas, Owning pets also has important health and social benefits for the pet owner; and

Whereas, Several studies funded by the National Institute for Health have demonstrated that pet ownership can improve cardiovascular health, lead to lower heart rate and blood pressure, increase the amount of exercise people get, and help people make and keep social connections; and

Whereas, New York State could be a leader in animal welfare by becoming the first state in the country to provide a tax credit for the adoption of a dog or cat from an animal shelter; now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls on the New York State Legislature to pass and the Governor to sign A.286, which would provide a tax credit to each taxpayer who adopts a household pet from a shelter.

CP/EB

LS 2211

06/03/2019