Local shelter is a safe haven for pets

LSP sophomore Cynthia Allum has been an animal lover since she was a kid. Having had several pets, she feels strongly about people abandoning animals and now volunteers at Animal Haven, a Manhattan-based dog and cat shelter.

"Unfortunately, many animals are being abandoned in New York City every single day," Allum said. "Knowing this, I started searching for a shelter I could volunteer some of my time at, and a friend told me about Animal Haven."

Founded in 1967, Animal Haven is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to find homes for unwanted dogs and cats throughout the Tri-State area. In addition to running a limited adoption center, it offers programs that aim to strengthen the bond between animals and people.

"There are so many homeless animals out there that really need homes," said Jennifer Bristol, Animal Haven's senior director of operations. "We want people to opt to adopt here at Animal Haven, as opposed to buying animals in stores or in puppy mills."

Approximately 64 percent of animals that enter shelters are euthanized, according to a 1997 survey conducted by the National Council on Pet Population Study and Policy (the most recent statistics available). The American Humane Association reports that an estimated 3.7 million animals were euthanized in U.S. shelters in 2008.

Animal Haven is one of the few places that refuses to put animals to sleep unless it's absolutely necessary.

"I am firmly against the use of euthanasia on homeless animals. It disturbs me incredibly that a staggering percentage of unwanted animals are put to sleep every year," Allum said. "To put an animal to sleep simply because it hasn't been claimed is inhumane, unethical and barbaric."

LSP sophomore Emma Tisdale appreciates that Animal Haven doesn't euthanize animals. Tisdale began volunteering at Animal Haven last month after missing her dogs from back home.

"Volunteering is very busy but rewarding. Everyone working there is passionate about helping animals, most often with very difficult pasts. [They] have a new chance at life with a loving family," Tisdale said. "Plus, the puppies are adorable!"

Bristol said Animal Haven encourages people to consider adoption.

"Too many fine pets sit in shelters. Too many people buy dogs from puppy mills," Bristol said. "Our main point is to expose people to thinking differently."

For more information about volunteering, visit animalhavenshelter.org .