The amount includes $800,000 earmarked for four Long Island-based shelters.
New York State Governor Kathy Hochul announced nearly $7.6 million will be provided to 21 animal shelters and humane societies across the state through the New York State Companion Animal Capital Fund, which is in its fifth round. 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. As the first state in the nation to fund capital programs for animal shelters, New York State continues to demonstrate its commitment to providing safe housing and care for shelter cats and dogs awaiting adoption.
“Animal shelters and humane societies across New York provide basic care for dogs and cats awaiting new families and forever homes,” Governor Hochul said. “New York’s Companion Animal Capital Fund is making a real difference to our shelters and humane societies and the animals in their care, helping them make important upgrades to better care for animals, and supporting the staff and volunteers who care for them provide more support”
Since launching the Companion Animal Capital Fund program in 2017, administered by the Department of Agriculture and Markets, the state has committed more than $33 million to the program, including funds pledged in this year’s budget. The fifth round of funding awarded builds on previous initiatives to offset costs associated with capital projects operating New York State animal shelters, such as renovating kennels, improving medical facilities or building more efficient shelters to reduce overall operating costs. Projects funded this year include new living spaces for more cats, new medical facilities and improved outdoor spaces, as well as shelter renovations that include more kennels.
Competitive grants were awarded to shelters based on needs assessments, detailed project descriptions, and cost justification. The following shelters were awarded in this round of the program:
capital region
-
Albany County Sheriff’s Office (Albany, Albany County): $500,000 to establish an Assistive Animal Shelter in partnership with the Mohawk Hudson Humane Society. -
Schenectady (Schenectady, Schenectady County): $200,000 to update large kennels.
New York City
-
New York City Animal Care and Control (Manhattan, NY County): $143,175 to outfit their new shelter system with updated equipment, install new kennel roofs, new washers and dryers, and replace aging water heaters. -
Brooklyn Bridge Animal Welfare Alliance (Brooklyn Heights, Kings County): $164,719.67 for shelter expansion, cat ward design dedicated to health and compatibility, window installation, and creation of a full-service medical suite.
mohawk valley
-
Schoharie Valley Animal Shelter (Howes Cave, Schoharie County): $500,000 for medical suite renovations and roof renovations.
South Line
-
Humane Society of Broome County (Binghamton, Broome County): $110,879 to improve design of cattery and kennels, and purchase generators and grooming basins.
finger lakes
-
CNY Finger Lakes Humane Society (Auburn, Cayuga County): $482,491.50 for new facility design including HVAC systems. -
Rochester High School (Lollipop) (Fairport, Monroe County): $500,000 to redesign kennels to increase animal capacity and expand isolation wards. -
wayne co humane society (Lyons, Wayne County): $500,000 for new and updated shelter facilities, including new HVAC. -
Wyoming (Warsaw, Wyoming County): $318,318 to improve facility design, upgrade mechanical equipment, and provide an outdoor enrichment area. -
Humane Society of Wyoming (Attica, Wyoming County): $62,825.89 for roof replacement, driveway and parking lot repairs, purchase of cat cages, and updated record-keeping technology.
hudson valley
-
Hudson Valley SPCA (Pomona, Rockland County): $200,000 to upgrade kennels, replace cat cages and increase animal capacity. -
Hudson Valley Animal Rescue and Sanctuary (Poughkeepsie, Dutchess County): $398,495 for increased animal capacity, including quarantine areas.
North
-
Jefferson Corporation SPCA (Watertown, Jefferson County): $200,000 to expand the shelter and acquire a new HVAC system. -
Potsdam Humane Society (Potsdam, St. Lawrence County): $100,067 for housing and environmental improvements, including laundry updates, cages, heating, and floor renovations. -
Lewis & Co. Humane Society (Lowell, Lewis County): $500,000 for new HVAC systems, new laundry equipment, creation of cat isolation rooms, and repair and update of damaged shelter structures.
long island
-
oyster bay town (Oyster Bay, Nassau County) – $200,000 for a residence renovation and new HVAC system. -
north hempstead town (Manhasset, Nassau County) – $200,000 for a new HVAC system. -
Ada Howe Kent Memorial Shelter (Calverton, Suffolk): $200,000 for new shelter facilities with quarantine areas, including new cat and dog kennels. -
pioneer of the animal welfare society (Hicksville, Nassau County): $200,000 for down payment on new facility.
west new york
-
Erie County SPCA (W. Seneca, Erie County): $200,000 to improve kennels and outdoor play area, renovate cat rehabilitation and nursery areas, acquire new HVAC system and security system.
New York State Agriculture Commissioner Richard Ball said, “Animal shelters provide more than just a shelter; from providing basic medical care to day-to-day enrichment activities, the hard-working staff of humane societies, shelters, and the SPCA across the state work tirelessly to provide the best possible care for dogs and cats in waiting. Good care is adopted into their forever families. Over the past few years, we’ve seen funds from the Companion Animal Capital Fund go toward important upgrades and projects that mean better care for New York’s animals. Our Proud to announce this latest round, which will build on the success we have had to date.”
Libby Post, executive director of the Humane Society of New York, said, “Members of the New York State Humane Society are grateful to the Governor and the Legislature for making this funding a reality. We’ve seen immediate results of this funding at shelters across the state. New buildings, new air handling systems, new kennels and cat apartments, new infrastructure to keep homeless companion animals healthy so they’re ready for adoption. Due to increased law enforcement focus on animal crime, as well as COVID, evictions and economic impacts, More animals are coming into our shelters. This is putting pressure on shelters, but with this funding, many shelters will be able to upgrade and expand to meet these ongoing challenges.”
State Senator Michelle Hinchey said, “Our local animal shelters go out of their way to provide a safe haven for the animals in their care, but many animal shelters in our state are in desperate need of funding to expand and upgrade their facilities. The Partners Animal Capital Fund helps to help animal shelters These much needed improvements have been made and I am proud to advocate for it in the state budget. I thank Governor Hochul for this latest round of grant funding so that animal shelters throughout New York State can continue to keep the animals happy and happy while they are waiting In good health at the time of adoption.”
Assemblyman Donna Lupardo said, “The Companion Animal Capital Fund makes life easier for our shelter animals and their caretakers. Projects funded this year will upgrade and expand facilities to improve the health and well-being of animals as they await their forever homes. I am delighted to see my Own local shelters in Broome County have received funding to expand their work to provide a healthy place for companion animals and a welcoming environment for future adopters.”
According to the New York State Humane Society, more than 150,000 animals are brought to nonprofit and municipality-run shelters and humane societies each year. The New York State Companion Animal Capital Fund will help these organizations continue to provide shelter services to local communities, promote better care for animals, and facilitate more adoptions.
