Resolution calling on the New York State Legislature to introduce and pass, and the Governor to sign, legislation which would provide a one hundred dollar tax credit to each taxpayer who adopts a dog or a cat from a shelter.

By Council Members Ferreras, Arroyo, Constantinides, Gentile, Gibson, Johnson, Rose, Vallone, Kallos, Lander, Van Bramer and Ignizio

Whereas, According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals ("ASPCA"), millions of dogs and cats are euthanized in animal shelters across the country every year because they have not been adopted into loving homes; and

Whereas, In New York City, there is a great need to encourage more people to adopt dogs and cats from animal shelters; and

Whereas, Animal Care and Control of New York City ("AC&C") is a not-for-profit rescue organization in New York City funded by a City contract; and

Whereas, AC&C is unique because it is the only rescue organization in New York City which will never turn away a dog or a cat that is brought to it; and

Whereas, Between October 2013 and September 2014, AC&C had an intake of 29,809 dogs and cats; and

Whereas, In that same time period, 6,132 dogs and cats, or approximately 21% of the total intake, were adopted from AC&C by members of the public; and

Whereas, As a result, there are still thousands or tens of thousands of dogs and cats available for adoption each year; and

Whereas, New York State could be a leader in animal welfare by becoming the first state in the country to provide a tax credit for the adoption of a dog or cat from an animal shelter; and

Whereas, Similar legislation has been proposed in other jurisdictions, such as California, Maryland, and Pennsylvania, it has not yet been approved in those states; and

Whereas, Encouraging New Yorkers to adopt pets is not only compassionate, but would also reduce the stress on the financial resources of the shelters that house and, unfortunately in many cases, are forced to euthanize these adoptable animals; and

Whereas, Owning pets also has important health and social benefits for the pet owner; and

Whereas, Several studies funded by the National Institute for Health have demonstrated that pet ownership can improve cardiovascular health, lead to lower heart rate and blood pressure, increase the amount of exercise people get, and help people make and keep social connections; and

Whereas, The cost of adopting a dog or cat can be burdensome for many families and may prevent some people willing to open their homes to a shelter dog or cat from doing so; now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls upon the New York State Legislature to introduce and pass, and the Governor to sign, legislation which would provide a one hundred dollar tax credit to each taxpayer who adopts a dog or a cat from a shelter.

RC 1-8-15

LS 2815