Res. No. 1396
Resolution calling upon the New York State Legislature to pass, and the Governor to sign, legislation in relation to providing tax breaks to pet dealers that facilitate the adoption of household pets.
By Council Member Holden
Whereas, The Humane Society of the United States estimates that each year more than one million adoptable dogs and cats are euthanized in the United States, simply because too many pets come into shelters and too few people consider adoption when looking for a pet; 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, While the ACC has made substantial progress in reducing euthanasia of animals at its shelters, from a high of 74% in 2002, and in 2018 reported a live release rate of 92.5%, it has thus-far failed to become a true no-kill shelter, putting 3,194 dogs and cats to death in 2018; and
Whereas, ACC strives to find loving homes for homeless and abandoned cats, dogs, and rabbits, both by adopting animals directly to the public and by partnering with more than 200 dedicated animal placement organizations; and
Whereas, Incentivizing private pet dealers to help ACC, and organizations like it, to place animals for adoption would assist such organizations in their missions to find homes for the tens of thousands of pets that flow through their doors each year; 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 legislation that would provide tax breaks to pet dealers that facilitate the adoption of household pets accepted by a qualifying pound, duly incorporated professional organization or duly incorporated humane society
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7/24/2020 @ 1:28pm