By Jennifer Glickel
DNAinfo Reporter/Producer
EAST HARLEM — Manhattanites have opened their wallets and their hearts in response to pleas from the operators of an animal shelter facing drastic budget cuts.
Thousands of cats and dogs at East Harlem’s Animal Care & Control Center may have a little more to eat in the months ahead thanks to the public's positive response to the nonprofit’s appeal for donations earlier this week.
Animal Care & Control, the citywide agency that runs a shelter in each borough, is able to operate because of a contract with the city Health Department. It is being forced to eliminate $315,000 from its $8.6 million annual budget by the end of June. It has to cut another $450,000 in the next fiscal year.
“For a relatively small budget those are pretty significant budget reductions,” said Richard Gentles, the director for administrative services at Animal Care & Control.
New Yorkers have responded to the organization’s appeals largely in the form of canned dog and cat food, as well as kitty litter. Online donations totaling almost $40,000 through the AC&C’s Web site have also helped out, but Gentles fears the support may not continue.
“The concern is that everything will happen now, today, and in the next couple weeks and then people will forget about it,” Gentles said. “Then we’ll be back to the same boat.”
Gentles hopes that generous New Yorkers will consider making donations on a sustained schedule over the next year or two so the shelters can keep helping homeless animals despite budget reductions.
“Most needed is really the money, to be honest with you, because it allows us flexibility in spending,” Gentles said. “But we’re not turning away any donation. Canned food and kitty litter are really critical items for us right now.”
Links
Facing Budget Cuts, Animal Shelter Sees Positive Response to Public Appeal for Donations
Animal Care is dedicated to raising funds to create a comfortable and happy environment for the animals in the Centers and to end the euthanasia of healthy and adoptable dogs and cats. [New York Animal Care & Control]
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