In an effort to end animal homelessness in NYC, Councilman Eric Ulrich partnered with the Animal Care Centers of NYC (ACC) to hold an adoption event at the Rockaway Freeway Dog at Beach 83rd Street on Saturday, April 20,
The rainy weather didn’t prevent locals stopping by the ACC’s mobile unit, some of whom had hopes of finding their ‘furever’ friend. There were dogs, cats, kittens and even a bunny named Star who drew the attention of many, just in time for Easter.
“This is the time of year everyone wants a bunny and then they return the bunny,” explains ACC Animal Care Specialist Bridget Apel. “We have a strict process when it comes to adopting out our animals …like if somebody is interested in the bunny we can show them the bunny here, but you cannot adopt the bunny at the mobile unit. They would have to come to the shelter with us because there are certain things people need to be educated on, as bunnies are high maintenance pets.”
ACC doesn’t do home visits to those who adopt out a pet of their choice, but they guarantee that their animals go to the best home possible.
“The biggest thing about buying a pet that a person must keep in mind is that a lot of them are coming from horrific puppy mills and areas that are unsanitary, not healthy and just not seen as good environments for the animals,” said ACC Volunteer David Glicksman. “Coming from us we have behavioral and medical [experts] tending to our animals. We do a lot of work on the side with the dogs, while the cats are carefully fostered and try to gather their history … everyone should have a pet if treated right, but it’s always best to get one from a shelter rather than supporting people who are breeding them for the wrong reasons, like money.”
In total, six animals were adopted, including three kittens, Sasha, Rodion and Nikita; one 8-year-old cat, Bernadette; one medium dog, Lola; and one large dog, China.
“I’d like to thank ACC and all of our adopters for making this weekend’s event such a success. Despite the rainy weather, every animal on the truck found a loving home,” said Ulrich. “I look forward to continuing our partnership with ACC and hosting more adoption events so that we can put an end animal homelessness in New York City.”
If you’re on the lookout for a loving pet of your own but missed out, you can track ACC’s latest destinations at nycacc.org/adoptionevents. You can also keep up with upcoming pet events happening at the Freeway Dog Park at arf-arfrockaway.org
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