UPPER WEST SIDE — Residents and workers at a local animal hospital protested a new pet store Sunday, claiming its puppy and kitten sales hurt the survival chances of shelter animals.
Half a dozen people, led by Jannette Patterson, a real estate agent who lives in the neighborhood, protested because they believe the store should not sell puppies from breeders when there are animals in shelters waiting to be adopted.
“Dogs are literally dying for a home,” Patterson said.
City shelters don’t have enough room for the dogs and cats that are abandoned or left there by owners, said Patterson. More than 5,000 dogs and cats were euthanized last year, according to the city’s Animal Care and Control department.
“We want to educate people that there is always an alternative to buying a dog,” Patterson said.
“You can bring a dog into your life” in a variety of different ways, such as adoption or working with a rescue organization, she said.
As part of the protest, Animal General veterinary clinic, two doors north on Columbus Avenue and West 87th Street, held a cat adoption drive in partnership with rescue groups Tenth Life and Puppy Kitty New York City in front of their store.
Animal General does not support pet stores that sell animals, said Karen Heidgerd, who manages the clinic. “Our mentality is, if you buy, they die,” she said, referring to animals in shelters.
Manhattan Puppies and Kittens, which opened about three months ago, also provides an array of pet-related services including grooming, boarding, and training.
According to its website, Manhattan Puppies and Kittens provides puppies from “certified breeders, with whom we have enjoyed long-standing relationships.” They also say that a portion of their proceeds are donated to New York City animal shelters.
Manhattan Puppies and Kittens did not respond to repeated requests for comment from DNAinfo.
