A network of public animal shelters in New York City said that as of last week, they are housing a collective 1,000 animals that pet owners across three of the city’s boroughs have surrendered in the wake of an ongoing affordability crisis.
The Animal Care Centers of New York City is caring for hundreds of cats and dogs across its shelters in Manhattan, Queens and State Island, as well as about 50 rabbits, a dozen guinea pigs and several birds. As it struggles to keep up with the influx of animals, the network has suspended intake other than in certain exceptions.
“Not everybody is surrendering their pet because they just don’t have time,” said Katy Hansen, the centers’ communications director. “There’s a lot of people that are just, like, really struggling. And it’s sad. You know, they come in, they’re crying.”…