The only no-kill shelter in New York City’s Bronx borough is at risk of closing.
New Beginning Animal Rescue is facing the possibility of ending its run this coming October due to increased rent, vet bills and unforeseen events and is pleading with the public to help keep their doors open.
“Desperate need of money and someone to help us. We don’t want to end of closing our shelter because so many animals we save every single day here,” said Pedro Rosario, the shelter’s owner, told ABC 7.
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The organization currently has 40 dogs and 25 cats up for adoption.
Founded by Pedro Rosario, the animal lover decided to open up the nonprofit after working with Animal Care & Control. One of his duties was to make more room for incoming animals, meaning he chose which ones were euthanized.
“I used to run Animal Control for 16 years. After 16 years, so many euthanasias, I just got tired,” he told the outlet. “I was one of the people responsible for making space. It gets to you.”
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While it definitely began to wear on Rosario, he did not want to give up on saving animals. So, in 2011, after cashing in his 401k, he decided to open up the Bronx shelter, with a mission to make it no-kill.
The nonprofit does not receive funding from the city, but rather private donations. While this has been enough in the past, unanticipated expense have arose. For one, Rosario and team also run NYC Top Dog, a boarding facility which helps pay the shelter. As of late, a few owners did not pay their bill, instead choosing to abandon their pets at the facility. New Beginning Animal Rescue has taken these dogs under their wings, which have added to the expenses. The shelter has also rescued special needs animals who have incurred costly vet bills.
This coupled with the fact that New Beginning Animal Rescue’s rent has increased is making it hard to make ends meet. The monthly expenses are around $10,000 — not including emergency veterinarian fees. Rosario has taken up a part-time job, and the shelter is in the midst of applying for loans, but it still needs help.
New Beginning Animal Rescue launched a GoFundMe Campaign with a goal of raising $100,000. To date, it has raised more than $44,000.
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