On Friday morning, i took part in the unveiling of the fifth annual Trails to Tails NYC animal adoption guide at City Hall in downtown Manhattan. Trails to Tails is published each year by a wonderful non-profit organization founded by Susan Brandt called Rational Animal. About 6 months ago, Susan and her staff asked me if i would consider creating the artwork for this years version of the map which is distributed throughout all of the boroughs of NYC. I was happy and proud to be involved with this very worthwhile project. And on Friday, we unveiled the results.
Susan assembled a wonderful group of advocates including State Senator Eric Adams, and NY Assemblymembers Joe Lentol, Brian Dendecker, Micah Kellner, and Linda Rosenthal. All were present to express their support of the efforts made by Rational Animal. During the press conference, we heard that NYC’s animal shelters have gone from euthanizing more than 70% of the animals committed to their care to now euthanizing just over 35% of the animals. The goal is for NYC to be a no-kill city by the year 2015….a wonderfully ambitious, but much needed goal.
I concur with everyone who spoke at the conference, in that our animals are members of our family. We take them in and they become part of us. We love them and they return that love….with all their hearts. This map is a valuable resource, not only to shelters where you can adopt an animal, but to emergency vets, information about neutering your animals, and dog parks where you can take your pal to meet new friends. Senator Eric Adams said it best when he said that this map could be called Trails to Tails….OR…. Trails to Tales…because each adoption begins a new tale…a tale of hope, love, and lifelong friendship.
You can find out more about Rational Animal on their website and obtain a copy of the map in many locations throughout the city. Visit the site for more information.
Meanwhile, we’re giving away 10 copies of the map that i will personally dedicate and draw on. All you have to do to win one is place a comment about the love of your animals on this blog between now and noon on March 15th. We’ll pick 10 winners at random to win maps. Good Luck and hug your animals…today and everyday!
CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR TEN WINNERS!
Teresa, Edra, Ira, Robyn, Patti, Hal, Art, Mark, Timmy, and Camille
You will all be notified by my office via email so that we can get your dedication requests and addresses for mailing!
–Charles
