How Can You Help?

One of the best ways you can help fix the NYC shelter system is to donate to SRAC and support our advocacy work. SRAC is a 501(c)3 organization and all donations are deductible.

Help to Reform the ACC

The ACC's problems start at the top. New York City's Department of Health controls and funds the ACC. The DOH's approach is to spend the least amount possible because animal welfare is not part of its mandate. Protecting people from animals is the DOH's goal.

Together, our voices can reach the millions of New Yorkers with this message:

"New York City can and must be the national model for an animal shelter system."

Learn about what's wrong with NYC's current shelter system and how it can be transformed.

Also, help us support services to animals and pet owners to help stem the tide of animals flooding into the ACC every year. Help make Humane Education available to children and adults alike. Learn about the importance of Trap/Neuter/Return (TNR) and how to support those services for the thousands of feral cats in NYC. Help expand the availability of low cost spay/neuter, vaccinations and vet care for neighborhoods that are epicenters of animal homelessness. Ensure effective and committed enforcement of anti-cruelty laws. And help focus attention on irresponsible pet owners rather than penalizing responsible pet guardians.

Our City's homeless pets are best friends waiting to find a new home. They become parts of our families, they are beloved companions, not a nuisance to be disposed of for expediency. New Yorkers and their animals deserve better.

Volunteer

You can become an SRAC volunteer and help spread the word about our advocacy work. Contact us at info@shelterreform.org.

Become an ACC volunteer? You can choose to be hands-on with the animals inside the shelters or foster them at home.

Or you could volunteer to help one of the hundreds of rescue groups that pull animals from the ACC or directly from the street or owners. Petfinder.com offers an easy way to find all those rescuers.

If you love cats, why not volunteer with a Trap/Neuter/Return (TNR) group? Those are the folks who tend to colonies of feral as well as free roaming cats. The cats are humanely trapped, fixed (spayed or neutered), vaccinated, one ear clipped to denote they are being tended by a TNR group, and then returned to their colonies. The only exception are cats that are not feral but living on the streets. TNR groups work to re-home them. Check out the New York City Feral Cat Initiative.

Another area greatly in need of volunteers is Humane Education. If you love teaching or simply want to spread the word of responsible pet ownership, then groups like H.E.A.R.T. would welcome your help.

New York politicians support or would support a humane New York if their constituents demanded that commitment. There's no better way to focus a politician's energy on animal welfare than calling or visiting their offices, politely expressing your concern about NYC's animals and, better yet, volunteering for them. Check out who your elected representatives are (in New York City and in Albany) and how to contact them.

Other Resources

Injured Wildlife

If you see a wounded or sick bird, squirrel, possum or the like, you can contact the WILD BIRD FUND, NYC's only licensed wildlife rehabilitation center. www.wildbirdfund.org

You can also call 311 and ask to leave a message with Animal Care & Control's Field Operation Drivers to help rescue injured or sick wildlife.

Stray or Injured Dogs and Cats

Call 311 for the ACC's Field Operations Van drivers to pick up these animals

Licensing Your Dog

NYC requires that all dogs be licensed. It's also the smart and responsible thing to do. Licensing helps return your pet to you if it strays from home while ensuring that your dog is up to date on his rabies vaccination.

Free or Low Cost Spay/Neuter

Many pet owners aren't aware of low cost or free (to qualifying pet owners) spay/neuter services. A list of those options are here.

Free or Low Cost Vaccinations for Dogs and Cats

Dogs entering the ACC shelter are at extreme risk of contracting the parvovirus which results in a painful death absent costly and immediate medical attention. Cats are at risk of contracting FEV and FILV. But all these diseases are readily preventable with proper vaccinations.

Problems With Your Landlord About Pet(s)?

http://www.animalalliancenyc.org/yourpet/legal.htm

Feral or Free Roaming Cats?

Contact the NYC Feral Initiative for humane ways to stem the population of these cats and prevent their suffering. It's called Trap/Neuter/Return.

Animal Cruelty? Report it Immediately to the NYPD