Mayor's Alliance for NYC's Animals: 2021 Annual Report

SAVING LIVES ANNUAL REPORT 2021

ANIMALALLIANCENYC.ORG

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LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT Nearly two years into the pandemic, the Alliance has adapted to the ups and downs of the COVID rollercoaster. New Yorkers are accustomed to change – rapid change, like “in a New York minute.” Along with many of our partners in the NYC rescue community, we shifted our focus as required to best meet the needs of our constituents – NYC’s animals and the people who care for them.

The Alliance as a Source of Reliable Information First and foremost, the Alliance has continued to strive to be a consistent and reliable source of information and guidance for New York City pet owners.

In 2021 we responded to hundreds of requests for information about lowcost spay/neuter and other veterinary services. As a result of COVID-related program changes at non-profit providers and private veterinary facilities, accompanied by staff shortages at most veterinary operations, delays and waitlists for veterinary care at most facilities that serve lower-income pet owners have become the norm.

Through our informational phone line and website, and numerous daily emails, the Alliance has helped hundreds of pet owners connect with service providers to care for their pets. We applaud our non-profit colleagues and partners who attempted to keep affordable spay/neuter and other vet care available, albeit less than pre-pandemic levels.

The Alliance as Connector The Alliance continued to evolve and define our role as a connector and capacity-builder – serving as a hub for NYC animal welfare. Making connections between pet owners and service providers was a primary focus in 2021. In addition to connecting pet owners with resources for medical care, we guided them toward sources of pet food, legal assistance, surrender prevention programs, and other resources. We accepted and delivered donations of pet food and pet supplies to shelters, rescue groups, and pet owners.

The majority of the connections we facilitated involved helping pet owners locate low cost spay/neuter services, routine and emergency vet care, and pet food. But sometimes we were called upon to meet less traditional needs.

In July, Maddie’s Fund honored Lila Miller, Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM), with a presentation of the prestigious 2021 Avanzino Leadership Award at the ASPCA Cornell Maddie’s Shelter Medicine Conference. Alliance President Jane Hoffman was instrumental in connecting Maddie’s Fund with the NYC Mayor’s Office of Animal Welfare and Gale Brewer, who was Manhattan Borough President at the time. As a result of Jane’s efforts, Elizabeth Wanaselja, representing the NYC Mayor’s Office of Animal Welfare, presented a letter of commendation from Mayor Bill de Blasio recognizing Dr. Miller’s outstanding contributions to shelter medicine. Former Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer’s office issued a Proclamation that proclaimed July 10 as Dr. Lila Miller Shelter Medicine Day in New York City.

Commendations from numerous other political leaders were presented, and Dr. Miller was honored further on July 12 when NYC’s Times Square jumbotron featured Dr. Lila Miller Shelter Medicine Day. Provider of Specialty Transport Assistance After transferring the Wheels of Hope transport program to Best Friends Animal Society in 2019, the Alliance committed to provide limited transport for rescue groups and other animal welfare organizations whose transport needs fall outside the criteria for other transport programs.

In 2021, we handled a number of specialized local transports. In one instance, we enlisted former Wheels of Hope driver Debbie Fierro, who operates her own private transport service called Precious Cargo Pet Transport, to transport a German Shorthaired Pointer to the Humane Society of New York Animal Hospital for a medical appointment. Debbie also delivered donated supplies from the Alliance to Animal Care Centers of NYC (ACC). We engaged Ambuvet Pet Ambulance to handle roundtrip vet visits, and another private transporter to deliver donated pet supplies.

We also helped coordinate a cross-country transport for an orphaned cat whose owner died. The late owner’s sister living in Oregon reached out to the Alliance to help get the cat transported to her instead of becoming homeless and ending up in a NYC shelter. With limited travel options available because of the pandemic and extreme winter weather, we reached out to the Southwest Animal Transport Team (SWATT), a group of Southwest Airline employees who volunteer to transport rescue animals on regular flights to new homes. We helped coordinate among the contacts in New York, Oregon, and the SWATT team to get the cat safely to his new home.

Working with the City of New York We continued to serve with our valued partners on the Animal Planning Task Force (APTF) at NYC’s Emergency Management. As one of the APTF’s original members, we worked alongside our colleagues to develop solutions to the challenges imposed upon pets and their people by the evolving health crisis and other adverse circumstances.

As requests for assistance with pet food from struggling NYC pet owners increased, we promoted on our website, blog, and social media programs that provided free pet food, including short-term COVID-related food giveaways provided by the ASPCA and ACC’s ongoing Pet Food Pantry in the Bronx.

The Alliance as Advocate The Alliance continued in 2021 to assist pet owners facing challenges with their landlords concerning keeping their pets in their home. Alliance volunteer Matt Wildman continued to manage the Alliance’s one-of-a kind Tenant Advocacy Program. Since 2015, the program has helped nearly 300 pet owners keep their pets. These include private renters, coop owners, New York City Housing Authority residents, and residents in Department of Homeless Services (DHS) shelters.

When rabbit intakes at ACC soared, we promoted rabbit adoption on our blog and social media to help ease the strain on the shelters. As the third most surrendered pet in animal shelters (behind cats and dogs), rabbits require aware and responsible owners who understand the intricacies of their unique needs.

In December 2021, we advocated for animal friendly legislation. Steve Gruber, Director of Communications, testified before the New York City Council’s Committee on Environmental Protection in favor of three important bills designed to reduce light pollution in New York City. As a result of our efforts in concert with our partners on the Lights Out Coalition, we helped gain a victory for migratory birds with the passage of legislation that will save the lives of thousands of birds each year.

Throughout the year we used our blog, Out of the Cage, to educate and motivate people on other important pet-related issues, including resources for pet-owning families experiencing domestic violence; Trap-Neuter-Return for stray and feral community cats; adopting senior pets; the importance of microchipping pets; and how to include pets in every pet-owning family’s emergency preparedness plan.

Our successes in 2021 were made possible because of our dedicated supporters who believe in our work and who share our commitment to New York City’s animals. Since our founding in 2003, private support has fueled our success, as the Alliance receives no government funding.

We invite you to continue to join our efforts to make New York City the best community it can be for companion animals, homeless animals, community cats, and the people who care about them. We hope you will continue to follow our activities on our blog, our website, and Facebook.

Jane Hoffman, President Mayor’s Alliance for NYC’s Animals

2021 REVENUE

2021 OPERATING EXPENSES

Other (includes PPP) 19%

Management & General 11% Fundraising 13%

Foundations 17%

Individuals 64%

Programs 76%