New York Ag Connection - $4.1 Million for Shelters from NYS Companion Animal Fund

New York Ag News Headlines

$4.1 Million for Shelters from NYS Companion Animal Fund
New York Ag Connection - 03/24/2020

State Agriculture Commissioner Richard A. Ball Monday announced more than $4.1 million will be provided to 12 animal shelters and humane societies across the state through the New York State Companion Animal Capital Fund. The funding will support construction, renovation and expansion projects that will enhance animal care and health and help ensure adoptions for New York's dogs and cats. This is the third round of the Companion Animal Capital Fund, the first state-funded program in the nation to support critical improvement projects at animal shelters.

Commissioner Ball said, "Over the last several months we have visited a number of shelter renovation and expansion projects that have been completed thanks to the Companion Animal Capital Fund. The funding is making a true difference, helping these organizations make critical upgrades that mean better care for New York's animals as they await their forever homes. We are proud to announce this latest round, which will build on the successes we have seen so far."

Funded in the 2019-20 State Budget, the Companion Animal Capital Fund provides matching grants to shelters and humane societies to offset the costs associated with capital projects such as renovating dog kennels, improving medical facilities, or building more efficient shelters to reduce overall operational costs. Funds are also used to construct, renovate, rehabilitate, or acquire buildings or equipment needed to house, treat, and care for sheltered dogs and cats. Since the launch of the program, the State has dedicated $15 million to 40 projects.

Competitive grants were awarded to shelters based on need and the readiness of projects. The following shelters are receiving an award in this round of the program:

Western New York

- Town of Marilla (Marilla, Erie County): $94,070 for a new building with separate runs, install non-porous material in kennels and access to the outside area, a new HVAC system, lighting, heated flooring, and a new isolation area.

- Town of Lancaster (Lancaster, Erie County): $228,750 to support a new building with epoxy flooring, new kennels, new drains, a new HVAC system, floor sink, exercise yard, and garage.

Finger Lakes

- Humane Society of Yates County (Penn Yan, Yates County): $500,000 to build an addition that houses modern dog kennels, purchase sound panels, and improve drainage. Funding will also allow in-floor heating, a new HVAC system and the construction of enclosed outdoor runs.

- Livingston County (Mount Morris, Livingston County): $112,500 to support the construction of a new intake area for new dogs, replacement of old kennels, addition of four new isolation kennels, four new primary enclosures for overflow, and an attached and enclosed garage.

- Ontario County Humane Society, Inc. (Canandaigua, Ontario County): $363,030 to support two isolation areas, repair kennels, epoxy surfaces, install new indoor/outdoor runs, build an outdoor play area, install cat condos, HVAC system.

Central NY

- Central New York SPCA (Syracuse, Onondaga County): $172,490 to support the shelter's roof replacement.

- Wanderer's Rest Humane Association (Canastota, Madison County): $450,000 for a new building, HVAC system, kennels, isolation area, and separation for dogs and cats.

Hudson Valley

- Pets Alive, Inc. (Middletown, Orange County): $500,00 to replace the current kennel with a new modern dog kennel building, improve medical facilities for the animals, and provide dedicated space for adoption and intake.

- Town of Saugerties (Saugerties, Ulster County): $500,000 for a new building, indoor and outdoor dog housing, isolation kennels, to install proper drainage, floor heating, and a multi-level exercise and training area.

Long Island

- South Hampton Animal Shelter Foundation, Inc. (Hampton Bays, Suffolk County): $500,000 for a new Behavior Training Center, which allows trainers to work with dogs in need of rehabilitation year-round.

- Town of Huntington (East Northport, Nassau County): $500,000 for a new dog shelter with increased kennel size, a HVAC system, new kennels, along with improved lighting and acoustic control.

- Town of North Hempstead (Manhasset, Nassau County): $200,000 for new kennels, new windows, renovate the multi-purpose room, HVAC system, update electrical and plumbing, and install new grooming tub and flooring.

Senate Agriculture Committee Chair Jen Metzger said, "This state funding is critically needed to enable animal shelters and humane societies to expand and improve their facilities to accommodate the growing population of animals in need of a home. I congratulate all of the recipients of these important awards and thank them for their commitment to providing safe, compassionate shelter to homeless animals while finding them the permanent homes they need."

Assembly Agriculture Committee Chair Donna Lupardo said, "Animal shelters throughout the state work tirelessly to provide the best care for dogs and cats while they wait to be adopted. The Companion Animal Capital Fund is so important, especially now, to helping shelters make needed improvements to their facilities. Increasing capacity and upgrading equipment will help them continue providing the highest quality care for their animals."

Senator Monica R. Martinez said, "As the Chair of the Domestic Animal Welfare Committee, I am grateful for the funding to our local shelters. Over $4.1 million dollars will be awarded to enhance the lives of our animals while in the care of our animal shelters and humane societies. I am excited to see $1.2 million dollars of these funds going to Long Island local shelters in the towns of Hempstead, Huntington and South Hampton. It is important to provide state of the art care for our four-legged friends as they eagerly await their forever home."

Assembly Member Deborah J. Glick said, "New York's animal shelters care for dogs, cats, and other companion animals when others cannot, or will not. I am proud that the Companion Animal Capital Fund continues to help our shelters provide humane care, and I look forward to seeing how this proven program improves animal care in the coming years."

Libby Post, Executive Director of the New York State Animal Protection Federation, said, "The landscape for animal shelters in New York has changed both figuratively and literally. The capital needs of New York's shelters are now a priority for the State, and we are seeing the fruits of labor with ground being broken for new shelters and projects at existing shelters being completed. The Companion Animal Capital Fund has proven to be one of New York's most successful programs for homeless companion animals. Having new and rehabilitated facilities that look good and are welcoming will only increase the number of adoptions we see across the State's network of shelters. Once again, the Federation thanks Governor Cuomo, Assembly Member Deborah Glick and State Senator Monica Martinez for their leadership in making these funds a reality." The New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets administers the New York State Companion Animal Capital Fund.

According to the New York State Animal Protection Federation, more than 150,000 animals annually are brought to non-profit and municipality-run shelters and humane societies. The NYS Companion Animal Capital Fund will help these organizations continue to provide sheltering services to local communities, promote better care for the animals, and facilitate more adoptions.

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