Mayor's Alliance makes strides to cure problems of abandoned animals

The Mayor's Alliance for NYC's Animals, Inc. is striving for the fair treatment of every animal in the city. There is an abundance of strays fighting to survive in New York. Too often, euthanasia is the ultimate solution and the end to the lives of many homeless cats and dogs.

Partnering up with animal shelters and hospitals, the Mayor's Alliance is working toward ameliorating the manner in which homeless animals are treated in the entire city. Acting as a liaison between the NYC government and local animal rescue organizations, the Mayor's Alliance has been particularly successful in placing former strays into appropriate homes.

Cats and dogs are given the specific medical attention they require made possible through private donations and the work of countless volunteers. Once the animals are examined, operated upon if necessary and fully recovered, they are ready to be adopted by a caring family.

Animals can become strays through many different circumstances; some are the offspring of other strays. But sometimes, innocent pets are abandoned altogether.

Recently, a cat named Sonia was saved from the streets and possibly even from euthanasia, by Detective Steven Litwin, a police officer who found her upon arresting the sickly cat's owner. The detective contacted the Mayor's Alliance to find necessary help. Stricken by a spreading fungus and almost fully blind, Sonia received medical care and eye surgery through the NYC Veterinary Specialists.

A Manhattan animal hospital and cancer treatment center, the NYC Veterinary Specialists has formed a strong collaboration with the Mayor's Alliance. The center has a straightforward, no-frills outtake on animal care. According to their website, "The mission is simple - helping sick pets."

Achieving that goal begins with integrated programs of patient care, education, and clinical trials applied with a passion for what we do."

It is this passion which so perfectly complement with the Mayor's Alliance, which is seeking creative ways to increase pet adoption rates. The Alliance hosts adoption events with various city departments in order to further expand their advertising campaigns and public service announcements.

Senior political science major Aja Davis described her perspective about getting animals off the streets. "You always hear that kids want kittens and puppies, but I've heard about animals being given to elderly communities as a method of therapy," Davis said.

The joint venture between the Mayor's Alliance and the NYC Veterinary Specialists has produced countless success stories, acting as motivation for the future.

Jane Hoffman, president and chair of the Board of Directors of the Mayor's Alliance, recognized the vital contributions from veterinarians in Manhattan.

"As a result of the critical care the animals receive every week at NYC Veterinary Specialists, hundreds of animals have been successfully treated and moved toward being adopted into permanent homes," said Hoffman. "Without this partnership, this would not have been possible."

Beyond their main concern of finding permanent homes for stray animals, the Mayor's Alliance is also working towards providing resources to animal shelters throughout the city.

The organization wants to offer the necessary training and information to local groups aiming towards the same goal of proper animal treatment.

For further information on the work of the Mayor's Alliance, visit www.animalalliancenyc.org.

To learn more about NYC Veterinary Specialists, go to www.nyc-vs.com.