Dog Adoption: Mayor's Alliance For New York Organizes Adoptapalooza (PHOTOS)

Earlier this month, the Mayor's Alliance for NYC's Animals organized "Adoptapalooza" - a day focused on pet adoption, featuring over 100 dogs and cats needing a home.

The Mayor's Alliance is a coalition of over 150 animal rescue groups and shelters that work to end the killing of cats and dogs at Animal Care & Control shelters -- their aim is to make New York City a no-kill community by 2015. To achieve this goal, they focus on boosting pet adoptions while improving spay/neuter rates and enforcing responsible pet ownership.

As Diane Gauld from the Mayor's Alliance says, "We can't adopt our way out of this. We have to cut down on the number of animals being born without a home."

Despite adoption efforts, the Humane Society estimates that 3-4 millions dogs and cats are euthanized in the U.S. each year. HuffPost Blogger and ASPCA President Ed Sayres reports that over 44,000 homeless dogs and cats entered New York City's shelter and partner rescues last year alone. Progress has been made in New York, and Sayres points out that 72% of animals left the shelter system alive in 2010 compared to just 33% in 2003.

Organizations such as Sean Casey Animal Rescue work tirelessly to protect animals from euthanasia. A organization comprised of hundreds of volunteers, they take in animals that would otherwise be put to sleep due to medical problems. Recently, they saved a dog with two shattered legs and provided medical care so that the pup is now "living large on the Upper West Side." Unfortunately, medical bills are costly, and the organization is at risk of closing down.

While this adoption day was set in New York, pet adoption is available around the country and the world. ASPCA and Petfinder.com offer a nationwide database of adoptable dogs in your area.

The animals at Adoptapalooza were from organizations including Animal Haven, ASPCA, Bideawee, Dog Habitat Rescue, Four Paws Sake, Picasso Veterinary Fund of the Mayor's Alliance, Posh Pets, and Sean Casey Animal Rescue.

According to Diane Gauld, an estimated 75% of the dogs brought to Adoptapalooza will be adopted following the event. "While some people still want that perfectly bred dog, I think more are now willing to adopt. The fact that you're getting a pet but also saving a life -- that feels good."

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Sophie and Maxie are 5 year old Cocker Spaniels. The two dogs were born and raised together. They were brought in to Sean Casey Animal Rescue last week after the owner died. The owner's sister asked that the dogs be kept together, and Charles Henderson, the organization's director, says, "I'm more than happy to grant that wish in his honor."

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Sophie and Maxie are 5 year old Cocker Spaniels. The two dogs were born and raised together. They were brought in to Sean Casey Animal Rescue last week after the owner died. The owner's sister asked that the dogs be kept together, and Charles Henderson, the organization's director, says, "I'm more than happy to grant that wish in his honor."

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Comments

[Max Shaw]

04:15 PM on 07/06/2011

Adorable!!

[baileysno1lala]

02:03 AM on 07/06/2011

Pick me!! I would love to have them in my life!! And I promise that I would NEVER duct tape their mouths and throw them in the swamp like some mothers do without and guilt!!

[gharison43]

06:49 PM on 07/05/2011

"each one of these helpless lives represents an innocent soul whom the human raced has FAILED utterly. they deserve much better than that from us. "

I couldn't have said that any better. Who do we think we are allowing ourselves to kill these precious creatures just because they don't have a home? How is that any different than going into an orphanage and killing all of the foster children?

[Judith Jaehn]

10:18 AM on 07/05/2011

Bless these precious dear hearts...

[peacekitten]

05:28 PM on 07/04/2011

i'd like to  thank this website for sending one of my perfectly reasonable and factual posts into pendinghell.  keep up the goodcensorship!

[peacekitten]

05:12 PM on 07/04/2011

these are darling dogs, and i hope more than anything they get the wonderful, loving forever homes they deserve.

but please, please, please, consider doing something like this for cats as well.  the ki|| problem for them is even worse than it is for dogs, and people turn their backs on them for some reason.  many people do not  realize that given half a chance, a cat can be just as loving, affectionate, and steadfast a companion as a dog can.    people who meet my cats are always amazed that they are so friendly, gentle, loving and have such distinctive personalities.

all any homeless animal, or any animal for that matter needs, is a FAIR chance.  they ask so little, and in return, will give you their whole being, every breath, every beat of their heart is for you.  it's the most incredible bargain we humans could ever ask for in our wildest dreams!

educate yourself about your new family member, be patient with them at all times as you would a toddler, be compassionate in your expectations,  do everything you can to meet their needs as you would any other family member, love them, respect them for who they are, care for them, and the two of you will know a most wonderful life together!

all animals know when they are loved and valued, and rescued animals know this especially.  

"until one has loved an animal, a part of one's soul remains unawakened." ---  anatole france

[devinskitcat]

01:27 AM on 07/04/2011

I am a sixty year old lady who is on ss and I loss my best friend Sandy I had her for 18years and she was my girl I took good care of and was very sad to have to put her down but she was my angle and now she is in Heaven ! Do you have a cockerspainal who is looking for someone to love heraround one years old! I can not pay any money but will take her and love her always!

[moroccantreasures]

01:34 AM on 07/04/2011

There are pet rescue and adoption groups online or in your city www.petfinder.com is a good one just enter your zip code and how far you are willing to travel. Joplin, MO people are also listing on craiglist animals that need fostering, homes or for sale I have seen some listings in Oklahoma also and we have pet rescues through yahoo groups. Good Luck!

[Maureen Stemberg]

11:27 PM on 07/03/2011

I LOVE NEW YORK!! This is such a feel good program and read.

[peacekitten]

05:15 PM on 07/04/2011

their municipal shelters under bloomberg have been a national tragedy and a shocking scandal.

it's GREAT that these private groups are trying to correct the problem, but the city needs to step up as well.  there are a lot of good private citizens in new york city who are working their hearts out for these animals, and they deserve to be supported in their efforts to make life better for the animals and to reform the city shelters.

[GirlInNYC]

06:12 PM on 07/03/2011

Aww, these poor babies.

[Valerie Valentine]

05:47 PM on 07/03/2011

This is great I wish they would have something like this in Los Angeles, but I guess not they usually euthanize after a week when no one adopts.

[FosterMom]

03:06 AM on 07/04/2011

If I recall the numbers correctly, CA has a far lower euthanasia rate than NYC.

Animal Care and Control (who had a few dogs pictured in the slideshow) is an extremely high kill shelter notorious for poor living conditions and gross incompetence (or blind greed) among upper management personnel. The animals were probably cleaned up for the event only to (if not adopted) be dumped back in a cramped cage and go without basic necessities (like access to food, water, and relief walks) until they were either adopted or put down.

AC&C policy dictates that any stray can immediately be euthanized after a 72 hour stray hold is up. And, with no listed phone number or lost and found program, many animals die while people scramble to save them.

The rescues mentioned are run by tireless individuals who struggle to save the animals from kill shelters. Rescues are no kill. AC&C (shelters) are high kill. I think the author of this piece should have differentiated rescues from shelters, especially kill shelters, and most especially AC&C considering its well documented history of animal neglect and incompetence.

I just hope there were many adoptions on that day so that rescues can pull more animals from shelters like AC&C and (if adopting an AC&C dog) saving him/her from an untimely death.

[peacekitten]

05:18 PM on 07/04/2011

the los angeles shelters have seen their ki|| rates skyrocket in recent years, but the surrounding area shelters are far worse.  some of the more rural ones are just as badly run, dirty, and cruel to the animals as the new york ones.

i truly hope that new york will live up to their 2015 goal of going no-ki||, and i would love to see los angeles do the same.

[Valerie Valentine]

08:17 PM on 07/04/2011

Maybe in some parts of California, but not in LA County. Ex-Governor Arnold told all the so called Humane Society in California that they will have to euthanize all the animals they have in there and all the ones that come in because the state has no money to give them. I assume you did not read the article about the lady who lost he dog? In California she went to the humane Society near her home and showed the picture of her dog to a guy behind the counter and he said I remember this dog he was brought in yesterday and I'm sorry to say he was euthanize yesterday. That was kind of stupid they should have hold him 3 days to see if someone claims him.

[roxanneolivier7]

05:32 PM on 07/03/2011

On photo #13
FYI, Emily is a Cairn Terrier mix. I adopted one last month looks like Emily.
Good luck to her and other dogs to have loving homes!

[tramag]

10:09 AM on 07/03/2011

there is nothing more horrible then awaiting a death sentence -- in a cage---because some human doesn't want you anymore...imagine being a child put in a cage, because u were no longer wanted.. and then you will be extinguished from life for --ONLY FOR THAT REASON! these animals deserve chances.. it is amazing what love can do for a dog or cat with bad habits and it doesn't take a whole lot of time and love.. even a little goes a long way. animals are insanely smart and just want to prove it --to someone.. but it takes money too. dont be a fool and take when u cannot keep.. but if there is a chance u can take and keep, please..give them a chance.. and everyone thinks that dogs and cats dont get along.. with a little guidance, and love they all will get along with time.. we have had at one point 21 cats and 6 dogs and a ducks and chickens.. all introduced at one time or another.. they learn that it is ok... and it is alright, all hanging out together. all rescues and all loved.. just like a child.. guide them and be patient with them and love them all equally. they will respond the same way.

[Valerie Valentine]

05:52 PM on 07/03/2011

I know it is terrible more States should have dog adoptions like this. You know in Alabama they still gas them instead of giving them a injection(More Humane)? I used to feed feral cats and the Humane Society (LA County) found out and told me to stop feeding them how cruel can they be in other words let them starve to death. I do not know why they changed their name from Animal Control to Humane Society there is nothing Humane about them. I guess it is so people will think they are Humane and donate to them.

[tramag]

10:17 PM on 07/03/2011

it is unfortunately, a last chance these days, for these unwanted animals .. thanks to a few too many years of bad economies. the foster and no kill shelters are filled, because the animal lovers got to them first. as they say there is only so much room at the inn... and unfortunately everyone is being slammed on...i would never stop feeding starving animals...no matter who told me to stop.! here in nc... the vets volunteer to spay the strays as long as you put them back to where you trapped them from...or kept them yourself. might want to bring that up with your careless, shelters...

[peacekitten]

05:22 PM on 07/04/2011

the los angeles policies regarding feral cats are abominable.  don't stop feed those cats, and anyone who tells you to stop can go f themselves.  you might consider contacting some of the PRIVATE feral cat rescue operations that do trap-neuter-release in order to reduce the number of kittens adding to the colony.  bless you for taking care of them, because feral cats are some of the most forgotten, abused creatures on the face of the earth.

alabama isn't the only place that uses gas.  so do many shelters in louisiana.  this practice should be banned EVERYWHERE.  it's about as brutal as it gets.  there's no excuse for cruelty, ever.

[Carol McArthur Rumrill]

08:12 AM on 07/03/2011

I think their statement of "3 to 4 million dogs euthanized a year" - is an understatement. I have two adopted Cocker Spaniels - and never have regretted it. "Adopt - don't Shop" And PUPPY MILLS and back yard breeders need to be extinguised!!

[peacekitten]

05:23 PM on 07/04/2011

remember that those millions of dogs doesn't include the number of cats and kittens, whose numbers are much higher.

each one of these helpless lives represents an innocent soul whom the human raced has FAILED utterly.  they deserve much better than that from us.

[luvapetadopt]

03:32 PM on 07/02/2011

There are simply not enough good homes for the amount of dogs and cats that need them. With people losing their jobs...losing their homes...the shelters are full. I wish people would take their time in deciding whether or not they want to adopt a pet. So many people get caught up in the moment and then, a few weeks later, they change their mind. I had a person who adopted a puppy two years ago...she showed up last week wanting to give us back her dog. She she was was about to start taking classes and did not have enough time for the dog.....she happened to have her 10 yr old daughter with her.....what I really wanted to say to her was ....Oh, are you planning on returning your daughter as well? Adopting a dog/cat is a wonderful experience...but it should be a life long commitment. It costs money....and there is training ....I have fostered and adopted more than I can to admit here...ha ha...it is a wonderful experience.

[GirlInNYC]

06:14 PM on 07/03/2011

LOL @ returning her daughter. Good one.

[peacekitten]

05:26 PM on 07/04/2011

from the sound of things, the daughter would be better off!

this woman showed her little girl a HORRIBLE lesson -  that life is disposable, and if it gets a little inconvenient, then it's okay to just toss it away like so much gar>bage!

[LogicalMathMan]

12:19 PM on 07/02/2011

I would not know which dog to adopt. They are all soooooooooooo cute.

[luvapetadopt]

03:23 PM on 07/02/2011

I have been doing rescue work for ten years....one of the first things you find out...you can not save them all.....SO, if you can just save one....THANK YOU!

[devinskitcat]

02:00 AM on 07/04/2011

Why put the poor healthy helpless dogs down why can't you let the people who really need a best friend take them home for free?