The following is the complete text of the press release from the Office of the Mayor dated September 9, 1997.

It should also be noted that of the $2 million promised by the mayor, $1.5 million had already been allocated for building improvements the prior year and not released until the '97 Democratic primary day; the remaining money restores the $220,000 cut from the CACC budget by the mayor in 1996, making the net gain $280,000 -- not $2 million as the mayor's press office would have primary voters believe.


[seal]
The City of New York
Office of the Mayor
New York, N.Y. 10007

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, September 9, 1997
Release #537-97
www.ci.nyc.ny.us

CONTACT Colleen Roche/Jack Deacy 212-788-2958

Mayor Giuliani Adds More Than $2 Million In Funding For Center For Animal Care And Control

Funds Will Be Used To Increase Adoptions And Upgrade Shelter Facilities

Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani today announced that he was adding more than $2 million to the operating and capital budgets of the City's Center For Animal Care and Control (CACC) that will enable the Center to add personnel, expand its successful animal adoption program and upgrade facilities at its Manhattan and Brooklynshelters.

Mayor Giuliani said, "These additional funds will enable the Center to expend its successful adoption program, hire additional personnel and make capital improvements at their Manhattan and Brooklyn shelters. Since 1996, the Center has already been able to increase its adoptions by 35 percent and can be even more effective in this area with additional staff and funding."

In June, the CACC Board appointed Marilyn Haggerty-Blohm, an experienced City manager, as the Acting Executive Director at CACC. At that time, the Giuliani administration loaned Ms. Haggerty-Blohm and two other experienced City managers to CACC free of charge to help with CACC's operational needs.

Under the plan announced today, the City will increase the Center's operating budget by $532,000 as of January 1, 1998. The funds will be used to hire additional staff in the operations and adoptions areas, to provide expanded veterinary coverage, to develop a volunteer program and to continue the work of the City's "Dangerous Dogs" Task Force. The City is also committing in excess of $1.5 million in capital funds for the redesign and renovation of the Center's Manhattan facility. City funds are also being provided to complete renovation work at the Brooklyn Center by Spring 1998.

In addition to increased City funding, the CACC has also received a grant from the Krumholz Foundation that will allow the Center to hire a consultant to work with the CACC senior management team on the development of a more effective adoption program.

The City's current adoption rate of 20 percent is one of the highest in the nation and the euthanasia rate is the lowest of any large municipal animal shelter in the country. For example, in June 1997 the number of animals humanely euthanized decreased by 43.5 percent over the same month in 1996 while the adoption rate increased by 11.2 percent over the same period.

The non-profit CACC provides comprehensive animal care services to the City under contract to the Department of Health. The CACC, which operates Shelter and Adoption Centers in Manhattan and Brooklyn and Pet Receiving and Adoption Centers in Queens, the Bronx and Staten Island, took in 65,000 animals, primarily stray cats and dogs, in 1996.

Acting CACC Executive Director Marilyn Haggerty-Blohn [sic] said, "These new financial resources, complemented by additional staff, tighter management and upgraded facilities, will enable us to accomplish our goals."

The redesign and renovation program at the Manhattan shelter will include the conversion of the existing underutilized garage into an intake/holding area, allowing the lobby area to be used exclusively by individuals who wish to adopt an animal. A new adoption area on the second floor will feature a more attractive and brighter interactive space for potential adopters and animals, and a new grooming area.

A list of the CACC centers is attached.

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[Attachment photocopied from a CACC brochure.]

Center for Animal Care and Control

Where Are We Located?

We have a Pet receiving and Adoption Center in each of NYC's five boroughs:

Shelter and Adoption Centers:

Manhattan: 326 East 110th Street, New York, NY 10029; (212) 722 3620; Hours: 24 hrs, 7 days per week; Adoption: 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Brooklyn: 2336 Linden Boulevard, Brooklyn, NY 11208; (718) 272 7200; Hours: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Tuesday to Saturday; Adoption: 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. [sic]

Pet Receiving and Adoption Centers:

Queens: 92-29 Queens Boulevard, Rego Park, NY 11374; (718) 997 6330; Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Tuesday to Saturday; Adoption: 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Bronx: 464 East Fordham Road, Bronx, NY 10458; (718) 733-0743; Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Tuesday to Saturday; Adoption: 11:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Staten Island: 3139 Veterans Road West, Staten Island, NY 10309; (718) 984-6643; Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday to Saturday; Adoption: 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.