The following are statements made by the four Democratic candidates for mayor based on a letter/questionnaire sent to all the candidates in April 2001 by Elizabeth Forel of the Coalition for NYC Animals, asking them their positions on several different local animal issues. They are presented in alphabetical order. Republican candidates Herman Badillo and Michael Bloomberg have not responded as of this date.
FERNANDO FERRER
FERRER ON ANIMAL RIGHTS
I am running to be Mayor of all New York, and I include the pets and animals under our care within that definition - including my own pet Cocker Spaniel, Winston. We are all responsible for the compassionate exercise of our stewardship of animals, in both domestic and natural settings. New Yorkers license over 80,000 dogs a year. There are over a million dogs and their owners in our city and probably twice as many cat owners.
My administration will work to address three animal issues that require immediate attention in New York: a) animal population control through spaying and neutering, b) expansion of receiving centers, and c) animal neglect and cruelty. Once elected, I will establish a committee of knowledgeable and experienced animal advocates to make recommendations on policy issues affecting animals, including the reform of the City's animal shelter system.
It is indeed unfortunate that tens of thousands of dogs and cats are euthanized each year due to overpopulation. An effective spaying and neutering program is key to reducing animal kill rates. I would like the City to strive for zero kills through better public education and innovative public/private partnerships in the provision of animal care. Since the ASPCA will no longer be responsible for operating the City's animal shelter system, we have an opportunity to reform our Center for Animal Care and Control and provide it with new leadership and vision. The animal control program implemented in San Francisco is of interest and may provide a guide for New York City to follow.
Under my administration, full-service, full-time pet receiving centers will be established in each borough. In addition to serving as receiving centers, they will also house low-cost clinics for pets.
In view of the increased violence in schools nationwide, and the established link between animal cruelty and human violence, Humane Education should be an important part of the New York City school curriculum.
The working conditions of carriage horses in our city deserve our continued attention and support. A thoroughgoing review of the current situation with an eye to improving their working and living conditions may well be in order. Such a review should consider the larger environmental issues and traffic patterns in midtown that constrain navigation for automobiles, humans, and animals alike. In the meantime, we must continually inspect how the carriage horses are cared for to ensure that they are treated humanely. Cruelty and abuse to animals will not be tolerated in my administration.
People for Ferrer
611 Broadway, Ste. 210
New York, NY 10012
tel. 212-260-5500
fax. 212-260-1628
http://www.Ferrer2001.com
MARK GREEN
[ANIMAL CONTROL POLICY PAPER]
New York needs to make sure that animals placed in the City's care are provided with the best care possible. Here's how:
Reforming Center for Animal Care and Control and Increasing Adoptions
In 1999, Public Advocate Mark Green wrote to the Commissioner of the Department of Health, Neal Cohen, urging him to look into allegations of mistreatment of the animals in shelters run by CACC. Mark was disturbed by the fact that animals in CACC's care were more likely to be euthanized than adopted. Mark wrote "every effort should be made to bring future pet owners together with available dogs and cats." In instances where pets are housed by CACC for long periods, Mark believes that the DoH should require CACC to provide appropriate and humane housing for all animals in its care.
Mark recommends the CACC take a more innovate and aggressive approach towards pet adoption. He suggested posting of photos of available pets on a website, since many of CACC's shelters are in difficult to reach neighborhoods. The CACC has since instituted this practice. Mark will closely examine the feasibility of placing facilities in more accessible neighborhoods. San Francisco has provided an excellent model in the care of animals. They have instituted a "no-kill" policy. This is clearly the ideal, and New York should investigate how to move toward such a policy.
As Mayor, Mark will explore ways to increase the rate of adoption for animals in CACC shelters. Established organizations like B.A.R.C. and the North Shore Animal League have had success in public service campaigns educating New Yorkers about the need to spay and neuter pets and adopting from shelters and the CACC.
The CACC requires steady leadership and Mark will appoint a director who is committed to improved care of the animals housed by CACC and who has administrative expertise.
Spaying and Neutering
In 1999, Mark suggested that to help keep the unwanted animal population down, CACC should not place any animal in a rescue shelter unless the animal has been spayed or neutered first. In addition to lowering the number of potential stray animals, this measure reduces costs at CACC and the DoH by limiting the number of animals they will have to care for in the future. The City Council is planning to fund a van to travel throughout the City and offer low cost sterilization services. As Mayor, Mark will closely evaluate the success of this program.
Friends of Green
420 Lexington Avenue
New York, NY 10170
tel 646-452-1660
fax 646-452-1664
http://www.markgreen.com
ALAN HEVESI
[from letter dated 7/16/01]
"Please note that our office is in the process of auditing CACC's operation, which will include a look at the conditions at the shelters and efforts made to facilitate the adoption of animals. A final report is expected in late summer or early fall.
Significantly, while he cannot comment before the audit is complete, Comptroller Hevesi wants you to know that he will be looking closely at the recommendations of his auditors and fully expect CACC to implement them in such a way as to ensure the safety and humane treatment of pets."
Hevesi for Mayor
271 Madison, 18th floor
New York, NY10016
tel. 212-696-9308
fax. 212-696-9147
PETER VALLONE
1. Cat and Dog Overpopulation
I am a firm believer in spaying and neutering and as Mayor will work to increase the number of animals in the City who are spayed or neutered. During my tenure as Speaker of the New York City Council, I sponsored legislation requiring that animals leaving shelters and sold in pet stores be spayed and neutered. This legislation also mandated that each borough have at least one full-time service shelter, which is intended to help increase adoptions and spaying/neutering, while reducing euthanasia. Subsequently, the State passed legislation limiting the spay/neuter requirement to shelters only. I know that public awareness campaigns often prove successful in educating and altering people's behavior and therefore targeting an awareness campaign for pet -related issues should be explored.
2. CACC
I believe that the Executive Director of the CACC should be a professional who has experience. The CACC should also develop a plan to improve the way the CACC functions and incorporate methods to reduce the number of animals who are euthanized. City agencies are required to develop long-term plans, and I believe that CACC would benefit from such long-term planning as well.
3. Carriage Horses
As Speaker of the City Council, I passed a slew of legislation designed to protect the welfare of carriage horses, the details of which you are well aware. Now that we have such laws, it is important that they be enforced and that carriage horses be protected. As Mayor, I will continue to meet with all interested parties to formulate policies to promote the welfare and well being of the horses.
Vallone 2001
373 Park Ave South, 9th floor
New York, NY 10016
tel. 212-791-2001
FERNANDO FERRER
FERRER ON ANIMAL RIGHTS
I am running to be Mayor of all New York, and I include the pets and animals under our care within that definition - including my own pet Cocker Spaniel, Winston. We are all responsible for the compassionate exercise of our stewardship of animals, in both domestic and natural settings. New Yorkers license over 80,000 dogs a year. There are over a million dogs and their owners in our city and probably twice as many cat owners.
My administration will work to address three animal issues that require immediate attention in New York: a) animal population control through spaying and neutering, b) expansion of receiving centers, and c) animal neglect and cruelty. Once elected, I will establish a committee of knowledgeable and experienced animal advocates to make recommendations on policy issues affecting animals, including the reform of the City's animal shelter system.
It is indeed unfortunate that tens of thousands of dogs and cats are euthanized each year due to overpopulation. An effective spaying and neutering program is key to reducing animal kill rates. I would like the City to strive for zero kills through better public education and innovative public/private partnerships in the provision of animal care. Since the ASPCA will no longer be responsible for operating the City's animal shelter system, we have an opportunity to reform our Center for Animal Care and Control and provide it with new leadership and vision. The animal control program implemented in San Francisco is of interest and may provide a guide for New York City to follow.
Under my administration, full-service, full-time pet receiving centers will be established in each borough. In addition to serving as receiving centers, they will also house low-cost clinics for pets.
In view of the increased violence in schools nationwide, and the established link between animal cruelty and human violence, Humane Education should be an important part of the New York City school curriculum.
The working conditions of carriage horses in our city deserve our continued attention and support. A thoroughgoing review of the current situation with an eye to improving their working and living conditions may well be in order. Such a review should consider the larger environmental issues and traffic patterns in midtown that constrain navigation for automobiles, humans, and animals alike. In the meantime, we must continually inspect how the carriage horses are cared for to ensure that they are treated humanely. Cruelty and abuse to animals will not be tolerated in my administration.
People for Ferrer
611 Broadway, Ste. 210
New York, NY 10012
tel. 212-260-5500
fax. 212-260-1628
http://www.Ferrer2001.com
MARK GREEN
[ANIMAL CONTROL POLICY PAPER]
New York needs to make sure that animals placed in the City's care are provided with the best care possible. Here's how:
Reforming Center for Animal Care and Control and Increasing Adoptions
In 1999, Public Advocate Mark Green wrote to the Commissioner of the Department of Health, Neal Cohen, urging him to look into allegations of mistreatment of the animals in shelters run by CACC. Mark was disturbed by the fact that animals in CACC's care were more likely to be euthanized than adopted. Mark wrote "every effort should be made to bring future pet owners together with available dogs and cats." In instances where pets are housed by CACC for long periods, Mark believes that the DoH should require CACC to provide appropriate and humane housing for all animals in its care.
Mark recommends the CACC take a more innovate and aggressive approach towards pet adoption. He suggested posting of photos of available pets on a website, since many of CACC's shelters are in difficult to reach neighborhoods. The CACC has since instituted this practice. Mark will closely examine the feasibility of placing facilities in more accessible neighborhoods. San Francisco has provided an excellent model in the care of animals. They have instituted a "no-kill" policy. This is clearly the ideal, and New York should investigate how to move toward such a policy.
As Mayor, Mark will explore ways to increase the rate of adoption for animals in CACC shelters. Established organizations like B.A.R.C. and the North Shore Animal League have had success in public service campaigns educating New Yorkers about the need to spay and neuter pets and adopting from shelters and the CACC.
The CACC requires steady leadership and Mark will appoint a director who is committed to improved care of the animals housed by CACC and who has administrative expertise.
Spaying and Neutering
In 1999, Mark suggested that to help keep the unwanted animal population down, CACC should not place any animal in a rescue shelter unless the animal has been spayed or neutered first. In addition to lowering the number of potential stray animals, this measure reduces costs at CACC and the DoH by limiting the number of animals they will have to care for in the future. The City Council is planning to fund a van to travel throughout the City and offer low cost sterilization services. As Mayor, Mark will closely evaluate the success of this program.
Friends of Green
420 Lexington Avenue
New York, NY 10170
tel 646-452-1660
fax 646-452-1664
http://www.markgreen.com
ALAN HEVESI
[from letter dated 7/16/01]
"Please note that our office is in the process of auditing CACC's operation, which will include a look at the conditions at the shelters and efforts made to facilitate the adoption of animals. A final report is expected in late summer or early fall.
Significantly, while he cannot comment before the audit is complete, Comptroller Hevesi wants you to know that he will be looking closely at the recommendations of his auditors and fully expect CACC to implement them in such a way as to ensure the safety and humane treatment of pets."
Hevesi for Mayor
271 Madison, 18th floor
New York, NY10016
tel. 212-696-9308
fax. 212-696-9147
PETER VALLONE
1. Cat and Dog Overpopulation
I am a firm believer in spaying and neutering and as Mayor will work to increase the number of animals in the City who are spayed or neutered. During my tenure as Speaker of the New York City Council, I sponsored legislation requiring that animals leaving shelters and sold in pet stores be spayed and neutered. This legislation also mandated that each borough have at least one full-time service shelter, which is intended to help increase adoptions and spaying/neutering, while reducing euthanasia. Subsequently, the State passed legislation limiting the spay/neuter requirement to shelters only. I know that public awareness campaigns often prove successful in educating and altering people's behavior and therefore targeting an awareness campaign for pet -related issues should be explored.
2. CACC
I believe that the Executive Director of the CACC should be a professional who has experience. The CACC should also develop a plan to improve the way the CACC functions and incorporate methods to reduce the number of animals who are euthanized. City agencies are required to develop long-term plans, and I believe that CACC would benefit from such long-term planning as well.
3. Carriage Horses
As Speaker of the City Council, I passed a slew of legislation designed to protect the welfare of carriage horses, the details of which you are well aware. Now that we have such laws, it is important that they be enforced and that carriage horses be protected. As Mayor, I will continue to meet with all interested parties to formulate policies to promote the welfare and well being of the horses.
Vallone 2001
373 Park Ave South, 9th floor
New York, NY 10016
tel. 212-791-2001
