Downtown

Adopt a shelter pet at Brooklyn Borough Hall on Saturday

October 10, 2014 By Mary Frost Brooklyn Daily Eagle
Adopt-a-Pet event at Brooklyn Borough Hall. Photo by Mary Frost
Share this:

Borough President Eric Adams wants you to take home a pet from a shelter– and he’s making it easy by hosting an adopt-a-pet event at Brooklyn Borough Hall on Saturday, Oct. 11, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Pet adoption organizations — along with several tail-wagging dogs and an adorable kitten – joined Adams at Borough Hall on Wednesday to announce the shelter pet push. Adams also says he’s supporting a bill, introduced by State Senator Kevin Parker, to provide a $100 tax credit for people who adopt a pet from a shelter.

BP Adams said he has fond memories of his first dog, ‘Speedy.’

“My mission as Borough President is to grow healthy children and families, and pets can be such an important part of that equation. They are our exercise buddies, our confidants, our friendly faces to greet us when we come home. Shelter animals are Brooklynites too,” he said.

Dr. Brett Levitzke, founder and director of Veterinary Emergency Referral Group (VERG) on Warren Street in Cobble Hill, snuggled with a white kitten named General George Washington.

“We named him that because he’s a fighter,” Dr. Levitzke said. “We nursed him back to health – he had a horrible respiratory infection and an intestinal infection.”

Dr. Levitzke said his message is, “Adopt, don’t buy. So many poor animals need a home. Rescue groups are overwhelmed.”

Sean Casey, director of Sean Casey Animal Rescue, brought Fuzzy Bear, a Chihuahua mix. “Thousands of rescue animals are available at shelters,” he said, adding that his two Brooklyn shelters also have exotic animals like snakes and reptiles.

The 84th Precinct Community Council President Leslie Lewis said he got his dog Melina from Casey. “If you want a pal, get a dog,” he said.

Catherine Wolfe, co-founder of Urban Utopia Wildlife Rehabilitation, which comes to the side of injured wild mammals, said her group’s goal is to open a rehabilitation center for injured and orphaned wildlife – good news for those who find injured squirrels and don’t know where to bring them.

Michelle Villagomez, New York City Legislative Director for the ASPCA, joined BP Adams as he made a proclamation recognizing October as Adopt a Shelter Dog Month. The ASPCA started Adopt a Shelter Dog Month in 1991 to coincide with its 125th anniversary.

Other groups taking part in Saturday’s event include Brooklyn Bark and the Mayor’s Alliance for NYC Animals.

Subscribe to our newsletters


Leave a Comment


Leave a Comment