Jasmin Singer writes: New York City euthanized just under 20,000 dogs and cats in 2006. In a recent article, author Arianne Cohen, of New York Magazine, stated that the Mayor's Alliance for NYC's Animals was backtracking in the agenda to create a no-kill city by 2008.The article infuriated The Mayor's Alliance for NYC's Animals. In a letter to the magazine, the group's director, Jane Hoffman, expressed her "deep disappointment by the gross misrepresentations" made by journalist Arianne Cohen. Hoffman challenged Cohen's information, stating that their goal for ending animal euthanasia is projected to be 2015, which is based on the funding cycle of a grant from pet-rescue foundation, Maddie's Fund.
A representative from New York Magazine responded to Hoffman's letter, stating that there was no reason for a correction, as "nothing was incorrect or correctable."
In her letter, Hoffman proudly documents "city-wide collaborative reports" to reduce the number of unwanted and abandoned animals, including "microchipping that helps return lost pets, spaying and neutering programs that reduce the number of unwanted and abandoned animals, and the Picasso Veterinary Fund which provides second chances to treatable animals with extraordinary medical needs in the city's shelters."
Unfortunately, there was no mention of the Pets in Housing Bill, Intro. 13, which if passed, would help relieve the tremendous burden on the city's shelters.