Bill > K00623

This resolution aims to memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to officially proclaim October 2025 as Pet Rescue Awareness Month in New York State, highlighting the critical issues surrounding animal shelters and pet adoption. The resolution provides context about the current state of animal shelters nationwide, noting that approximately 13,600 independent community animal shelters exist with no centralized tracking of statistics. It reveals stark statistics about animal shelter populations, including that over seven million companion animals enter shelters annually, with 3.9 million dogs and 3.4 million cats, and approximately 2.7 million animals are euthanized each year due to shelter overcrowding and lack of adoptive homes. The resolution emphasizes the importance of compassion towards animals, pointing out that only one in ten dogs born will find a permanent home and that homeless animals outnumber homeless people five to one. By requesting the Governor to designate a specific month for pet rescue awareness, the resolution seeks to raise public consciousness about animal welfare, encourage pet adoption, and promote empathy for companion animals who cannot speak for themselves.

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/K623