A news article published last week inspired the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) to pledge $10,000 to help strays whose lives are at stake, and calls for New Yorkers to match its gift.
Officials at the ASPCA decided to make the grant to the Mayors Alliance for NYCs Animals, they said, after reading a July 13 news report about how rising gas prices are crippling a program that transports animals from city shelters to foster homes.
The van service transfers about 160 or more cats and dogs to foster homes each month. The group, a nonprofit that partners with the city-contracted shelter manager Animal Care and Control, budgeted $15,000 for fuel costs this year. However, gas-price hikes have tripled costs to $45,000 for the year.
The Mayors Alliance said it has already siphoned funds away from its other animal-care programs to cover the difference, but if fuel costs continue to rise, it will have to scale back the service.
The ASPCA also asks for New Yorkers to match its gift, dollar for dollar, by July 31. For information on the Mayors Alliance or to donate, visit www.aspca.org/alliance.
Posted: July 18, 2006, 5:00 a.m. EST