Your Roaming reporter here folks…in the Big Apple…for the Gay Pride festivities!  It was fun…exhausting and at the same time exhilarating. Of course, as always my focus was the animals (well...there was another focus but that’s a whole other story). During the Sunday Gay Pride Parade, I could not help but notice how many animals were enjoying and participating in the festivities. They came from everywhere, traveled far and wide, all dressed up…but when I questioned the owners and where they were from…most of them were good old hard core do or die, New Yorkers! They just love their animals!

I proceeded to take some pics for you… the readers…so you wouldn’t have to use any brain cells visualizing the above mentioned hysteria…

One particular float in the parade caught my attention dead center. It was the Mayor’s Alliance For New York City’s Animals. Quite unusual…I even caught one of their red balloons! It was promoting the well being of New York City’s Animals. Now there’s a thought! The float did not contain or exhibit any live animals however…there were pet owners walking with them or carrying them….along side the float. All decked out, with wardrobes and apparels that would make Versace sit up in his grave and take notice! It was a meaningful message perceived in a most unique way. It got across! The Mayor’s Alliance For New York City’s Animals is an excellent motivational model for any city to follow. Their web site” animalalliancenyc.org “is simply amazing! The information is endless and informative. There’s a video (which you m-u-s-t check out), that runs you thru who and what they are and do. They have aggressive Spay and Neutering programs, Adoptions, Events, Micro Chipping, Lost & Found sections, Volunteers, Newsletters, Vet programs, and of course the Trap, Neuter and Return programs for New York City’s tens of thousands Feral Cats.

“Adopt A Little New Yorker Today” is their slogan. In 2002 the historic agreement came into place. This was to strive for the ambitious goal of a total no kill policy. This would end the killing of adoptable animals. The City of San Francisco has that “No Kill “policy. New York’s Mission Statement is to work together so the day will come when no New York City cat or dog of reasonable health and temperament is killed merely because he or she does not have a home.

To achieve this goal, the alliance formed a 501 (c) (3) not–for–profit corp., a public and private partnership with the issues of animal care and control in New York City. They brought together all of the not-for-profit animal care groups or spay and neuter groups, to place or spay & neuter New York City’s dogs and cats. Prior to this taking place, there were approximately 80 animals being euthanized by their animal services on a daily basis.

One more bit of curious information for you the readers…BSL (Breed Specific Legislation) is unheard of! That means Pitt Bulls are free! Freedom! They in fact are one of the most adoptable dogs on the block. However, they do have strict and enforceable animal cruelty laws, which include Pitt Bull (or dog) fighting. Animal cruelty is considered a felony.

I guess along with Miami, numerous cities across this country have a lot to learn. They need to put their money were their mouth is. Our very own …fine Dade County Mayor Carlos Alvarez, has never even stepped onto the premises of Miami Dade Animal Services. Never mind kept his campaign promise to address the epidemic proportion of homeless animals in Dade County. The spay and neutering services that were being provided, have been temporarily zonked!...oh…as a result of economical reasons of course. Right now …there are more animals than ever at the Miami Dade County Animal Services. They are crying out for help and most of our officials have developed over night hearing problems. The rescue groups simply are on over load all across the state. Unfortunately, the general public has very little knowledge of this atrocity. If the public (the tax payer which is you) were made aware of the thousands of animals that are “euthanized” on an annual basis (close to 27,000 just at Miami Dade Animal Services) perhaps…the situation would be altered to benefit the animals.

Alas… they are not! I cannot recall where I recently read this quote…but if the shoe fits…”Being born of the human race instead of the animal kingdom does not give you more rights, it gives you more responsibilities.”… wear it! Yours In Hope And Commitment…