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| American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) |
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424 E. 92nd St. btwn. First and York Aves., Manhattan, 212-876-7700. www.aspca.org
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Mon. to Sat., 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Sun., 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
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Take the 4, 5, or 6 to 86th St. Walk east to First Ave., make a left and walk north to 92nd St. Make a right on 92nd St. Or take the 6 to 96th St., walk east to First Ave.. Make a right and walk south to 92nd St. Make a left on 92nd St. The shelter is on the south side of the block.
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Henry Bergh founded the ASPCA in 1866 after returning to New York from a diplomatic posting in Russia where he was appalled by the abuse of carriage horses. Wealthy and well-connected, Bergh successfully lobbied for the nation's first law forbidding animal cruelty. To enforce the new law, the State of New York granted the ASPCA "Humane Law Enforcement Jurisdiction," which allows APSCA officers to be armed and to arrest people for crimes against animals. Today in New York City there are 18 ASPCA Humane Law Enforcement officers who investigate cases of neglect and abuse (Animal Planet's show Animal Precinct documents their work). Until 1995, the ASPCA was under contract by the city to collect and put down (if they weren't adopted) stray animals. Now the ASPCA is a no-kill shelter. Though the NYC facility is the only shelter it operates, the ASPCA does have some national programs, including an Animal Poison Control Center and a Shelter Outreach program to support shelters around the country.
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20 dogs is the limit. Around 400 dogs are adopted from
the ASPCA each year.
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More than half are given up by their owners. The rest
are rescued, either from abusive owners or from the AC&C. Generally,
fewer than 25% are puppies; fewer than 10% are purebred.
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$75 for most adult dogs, $200 for puppies and adult small-breed dogs. This includes spaying or neutering, microchipping, two weeks of follow-up vet care free of charge at the ASPCA's Bergh Memorial Animal Hospital, a kindergarten class for puppies, a leash and collar.
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At the ASPCA's website, you can learn about all the dogs available for adoption and download an adoption application. When you visit the shelter, bring along two forms of i.d., at least one of which shows your current address (a utility bill is fine), a personal reference, and proof that any pets you already have are properly vaccinated. At the ASPCA, you'll meet with an adoption counselor, who'll try to assess which of the available dogs might fit comfortably into your life. You'll have a chance to hang out with some likely candidates in the get-acquainted area, a big room with couches and dog toys. If you make a good match and your reference checks out, you'll be able to take home your new pet. A few weeks after an adoption, the ASPCA will give you a call to make sure that all is well.
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Only people who can be home during the day are permitted
to adopt puppies. All dogs must be spayed or neutered before they can be adopted.
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The ASPCA runs a full-service animal hospital, as well as a mobile clinic that offers low-cost vet care, including spaying and neutering and vaccinations. They also offer training classes for therapy dogs.
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The ASPCA is supported by membership and adoption fees, corporate sponsorship, and donations.
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