ASPCA Reports Double-Digit Increase In Adoptions And Mobile Spay/Neuter Surgeries For 2007

NEW YORK, January 16, 2008—The ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®) is proud to report that adoptions at its Manhattan headquarters and mobile adoption center, as well as mobile spay/neuter surgeries, each experienced double digit increases in 2007.

“The plight of homeless animals is still a significant concern in New York City,” said ASPCA President and CEO Ed Sayres. “But by focusing on increasing adoptions and preventing unwanted litters, we’re increasing exponentially the number of lives we can save.”

In 2007, a total of 2,728 cats and dogs were adopted, a 21 percent increase over 2006, when 2,253 were adopted. “This is the largest percentage increase we’ve ever seen in a one-year span,” said Gail Buchwald, the ASPCA’s Senior Vice President of Animal Placement and Mobile Clinic Outreach. Cat adoptions rose 21 percent, from 1,701 to 2,051, and dog adoptions increased 23 percent, from 552 to 677. “We hope to see this continue in 2008.”

The ASPCA’s Mobile Clinic Outreach program, which offers free and low-cost spay/neuter surgery to financially needy pet owners in New York City’s five boroughs, also experienced double-digit growth in 2007. A total of 14,215 cats and dogs were spayed and neutered, the most ever in a single year, and an 18 percent increase over 2006, when 12,048 were altered.

The rise in adoptions at the ASPCA in 2007 is attributed in part to a $5 million, state-of-the-art renovation completed in the fourth quarter of 2006, which increased the capacity in its Pet Adoption Center by 40 percent. The quality housing space, in a cheerful and cage-free environment, helps showcase pets and increase their chances for adoption.

“Consumer awareness is also on the rise with respect to adoption,” explains Ms. Buchwald. “Adoption is ‘in,’ leading to a strong demand for pets, and we were glad to be able to meet that demand because it means saving more homeless pets.”

In January 2008, the ASPCA unveiled a fourth mobile spay/neuter clinic in its fleet, which increased its capacity to spay and neuter up to six thousand additional animals per year. These four fully equipped mobile veterinary clinics operate seven days a week and may also be reserved for private rescue days for feral cats trapped through approved Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) partners.

“The mission of our mobile clinic outreach program is end the plight of homeless animals by stemming pet overpopulation at is source—in the heart of the city’s local communities,” said Ms. Buchwald. “Certainly, the need is there and the ASPCA is working hard to meet that need by widening the scope of our spay/neuter services.”

The ASPCA’s Mobile Clinic Outreach Program began in 1997 and is the single largest organization providing free and low cost spay/neuter to needy pet owners in New York City, and one of the largest in the United States.