State Senator Jeff Klein (D-Bronx/Westchester) joined by Assemblyman Luis Sepulveda (D-Bronx), Assemblyman Marcos Crespo (D-Bronx) at Holy Cross School in Soundview on Sunday held a fundraiser aimed at saving the only no-kill animal shelter in Bronx County. Attendees also had the opportunity to adopt a pet from New Beginning Animal Rescue and make a donation to save the facility. The shelter is under financial hardship, making it likely that it will have to close its doors to the dozens of abused, neglected and otherwise abandoned dogs and cats that it currently houses.
The fundraiser took place as part of Klein’s Fall Festival, a family event, which will also include pumpkin picking, face painting, games and music.
“As the safe haven for hundreds of abused or neglected animals a year, New Beginning Animal Rescue is a treasure the Bronx cannot afford to lose. Not only is it the sole shelter in Bronx County but as a the only no-kill facility it ensures that these sweet animals are placed in loving homes. We will do all that we can to ensure that this vital organization is able to keep its doors open for years to come,” said State Senator Jeff Klein.
“As an animal lover, having the Bronx’s only no kill animal shelter is something that I value greatly. This fundraiser is a way to give back for all the work they do. I hope that the money raised can help to keep this shelter running for many years to come. I thank Senator Klein for his continued commitment to the shelter and for his work on this fundraiser and for the entire fall festival program,” Assemblyman Luis Sepulveda.
“I’m proud to join my colleagues in supporting New Beginning Animal rescue, the only no-kill shelter in the bronx. This outstanding volunteer led organizations has stepped up to the plate to help care for dozens of abandoned dogs and cats, and now, we are trying to help them raise the funds necessary to stay open and continue this worth mission of care,” said Assemblyman Marcos Crespo.
“New Beginning Animal Shelter was born out of my love for animals and my experience with being able to nurture, protect and rehabilitate abandoned and neglected cats and dogs. If I have to close my doors, not only will Bronx families lose a chance at adopting these loving animals but I have no doubt that hundreds of animals will be back on the street facing a most certain and devastating fate. I thank Senator Klein and Assemblymen Sepulveda and Crespo for doing all they can to ensure this does not happen,” said Pedro Rosario, Founder, New Beginning Animal Shelter.
“I applaud Senator Klein for his leadership to help save the only no-kill animal shelter here in the Bronx. The hard work of this facility has served as the last resort of help for animals that deserve good homes, and our community must come together to ensure that they can continue connecting pets with loving homes for years to come,” said Community Board 9 Chairman William Rivera.
New Beginning Animal Rescue, the only animal shelter in Bronx County, takes in unwanted, abandoned, abused and stray dogs and cats. After a process of medical vetting, assessment of socialization levels and rehabilitation, the animals are then placed in suitable homes.
New Beginning is the brainchild of Pedro Rosario, a former NYC Animal Care and Control Supervisor, who witnessed first hand the abuse and neglect inflicted on countless dogs and cats in NYC, and in particular the Bronx. With his cashed in retirement funds, he established the shelter over four years ago. Since then, almost weekly a dog is found tied up outside the shelter or kittens left in a box at the shelter door. Unfortunately, the demand on New Beginning far outweighs the financial resources the shelter can produce by adoption.
If a secure funding mechanism is not acquired by the end of this year New Beginning will have no other recourse but to shut it doors. This is a final and drastic resort but it is also a reality that Pedro his workers, numerous volunteers and the countless dogs and cats live with daily.
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