Now available for adoption from New York AC&C:
Matty
I am an unaltered male, tan Labrador Retriever mix.The shelter staff think I am about 3 years old. I have been at the shelter since Apr 15, 2007. More.
Earl
I am an unaltered male, orange tiger and white Domestic Shorthair mix. The shelter staff think I am about 1 year old. I have been at the shelter since Apr 19, 2007. More.
Search the AC&C database to find the right pet for you.
Though the desire to care for a companion animal is without question an admirable one, there's something that is just wrong about purchasing an animal, as this family in the Village has, whose genes have been manipulated to make him/her allergen free.
No doubt, the Greenberg family loves their cat, and Dempsey certainly lives up to his zeitgeist-y moniker (geeks that we are, back in '98 we almost named our Zoe "Scully," and are very glad it didn't take).
But how many kitties were bred before Allerca Lifestyle Pets got the allergen-free mutation right? What happened to them? What happens to the cats who are returned to the seller like defective toasters? What happens to these cats as they age?
None of these questions are addressed in any depth on the Allerca web site. The closest the company comes is on its Q&A page, where potential clients can find this ridiculousness:
Q: Is there anything you can do to help current animal overpopulation?
A: All ALLERCA kittens are spayed or neutered prior to delivery, so at least we are doing our part.
Then there's this:
At ALLERCA, we are particularly concerned about animal and bioethics, and continually study and discuss these issues both internally and with leading experts.
So they're discussing ethical issues. Continually. With leading experts. What - you expect details for $4000?
For our money, Gothamist commenter Tim N. sums it up nicely:
Do what I do around our two cats and take a damn Allegra.
Now available for adoption from New York AC&C:
Isabella
I am an unaltered female, white and gray Domestic Shorthair. The shelter staff think I am about 1 year and 6 months old. I have been at the shelter since Apr 09, 2007. More.
Dolly
I am an unaltered female, brown and white Pit Bull Terrier. The shelter staff think I am about 5 years old. I have been at the shelter since Apr 18, 2007. More.
Search the AC&C database to find the right pet for you.
Last week's interruption in NY AC&C access was apparently necessitated by the launch of its redesigned web site.
The new site is attractive and colorful, and seems to feature all the same links and adoption search features. Donation appeals are also prominent, as are links to its Cafe Press store, where several varieties of AC&C merch are available. Check it out.
It would also be great if AC&C could find a way to make its adoption photos more inviting. If not a new camera, then at least an alternative to the depressing blue panels with the worn "ADOPT ME" lettering to better showcase these deserving animals.
Now available for adoption from New York AC&C:
Leo
I am an unaltered male, black and white Pit Bull Terrier mix. The shelter staff think I am about 4 months old. I have been at the shelter since Apr 06, 2007. More.
Kisa
I am a spayed female, black and white Domestic Shorthair. The shelter staff think I am about 6 years old. I have been at the shelter since Apr 14, 2007. More.
Search the AC&C database to find the right pet for you.
Tomorrow is ASPCA Day in New York (and elsewhere):
On April 10, we’re asking you to dress yourself, your pet - even your home or car! - in this bright hue to let everyone know that you’ll be a voice for animals across the country.
Local festivities - "music, pet tips, a chance to meet the stars of Animal Planet's award-winning Animal Precinct, photos with your pet, food and more" - will take place from 4 to 8:00 p.m. in Union Square.
The ASPCA Mobile Adoption Van will be on-site, as will the current band of one of the founders of Blue Oyster Cult. But please, come anyway.
From NYCityPets.com:
This special guy is getting a second post. Why? Because he doesn’t deserve to be stuck, sleeping in a kennel. We play with him every day and can tell you that this happy dog just wants a quiet, warm bed and some heavy duty toys to catch. Oh, and a great person to play with him too!
Mr. T has his own place on Petfinder, Craigslist, Flickr, and over at Kya’s Collars (see adoptions). We love him and have taught him to sit and ask for his toys, to lay down, and to enjoy a good belly rubbing. If you want to meet him, let us know.
This handsome boy has waited too long for a permanent home. Contact NYCityPets if he might be the dog for you.
CRACK & CLAM JUICE: Slope Street Cats has relocated the last of the feral colony endangered by the Atlantic Yards project in Brooklyn. The effort gained attention via coverage in the Brooklyn Paper and even the Times, but in the end it was a Meow Mix-clam juice combo what done the trick. Says SSC's Laura Brahm: "When you're working on a trapping project, sometimes nabbing that last cat is better than crack!"
RESCUE (ES)ME: In other SSC news, Esme (pictured) needs a home.
SOMEONE SAY PIZZA?: The League of Humane Voters of New York City (LOHV) will hold its spring membership meeting on Wednesday, April 11 at the LGBT Center (208 W. 13th St., Rm. 101, 6:30 p.m.). Featured speakers are to include City Council Member Rosie Mendez, state Assembly candidate Micah Kellner, and George Bliss, who brought the besieged pedicab industry to the city. Also starring: vegan pizza.
WABBIT SEASON: Easter is almost upon us, which means scores of rabbits will soon be sprung on unprepared kids and significant others, only to be surrendered to shelters or, worse, tossed outside to fend for themselves once the novelty wears off. If you find yourself the unwitting (or witting, even) guardian of a bunny this year, House Rabbit Society is a great resource for caretaking tips. To help HRS spread the word about the toll Easter takes on rabbits who are purchased on a whim and cast aside like forgotten toys, join the "Make Mine Chocolate" campaign.
Photo: Slope Street Cats
During his run for governor, Eliot Spitzer railed against many things: influence peddling, inefficient administration, entrenched bureaucracy, et cetera, et cetera.
While it’s likely that most voters - including yours truly - missed out on at least some speechifying, it’s a safe bet that Candidate Spitzer never drew applause by declaring himself an enemy of the state’s cat and dog population.
Yet the ASPCA reports that, as part of his first budget, the governor is now looking to carve $150,000 from the state’s Low Cost Spay-Neuter Program, which has funded operations for animals adopted by low-income New Yorkers since 1997.
Spitzer also wants to take $100,000 from the pet dealer license fee pot - fees used to help keep pet stores and dog breeders in compliance with under-enforced animal welfare and consumer protection laws. Such a hit would “essentially deplete” the fund, says the ASPCA. The governor reportedly wants to devote the money to unspecified “fringe benefits for state employees.”
For directions on letting Spitzer and other state officials know this is a bad idea, click.
Related:
- Spitzer defends "right" to cruelty. [NYS]
