The economy hits Bideawee!!
If you are from the New York metropolitan area, you are familiar with the animal rescue and shelter organization called Bideawee. It is one of the oldest humane organizations in the United States. The organization was founded in 1903 by Mrs. Flora D’Auby Jenkins Kibbe. Currently Bideawee operates one facility in Manhattan and two on Long Island. However, due to the economic conditions and other organiztion structural changes, one of the Long Island facilities located in Wantagh, NY will be closing its doors on March 8, 2009. There are about 1700 adoptions that take place at the three locations yearly, so closing a location will cause the other two facilities to absorb many of the animals housed in Wantagh. Like many shelter and rescue organizations, Bideawee, is not immune from the current economic climate. Private donations have decreased about 30% just since October.
However, while the adoption center will be closing in Wantagh, then many other services offered by Bidawee wll continue. These programs and services include animal behavior and training classes, pet therapy, reading to Dogs, bereavement counseling groups and the public education programs. Located at the Wantagh location is the Pet Memorial Park which will continue to provide its full range of burial and cremation services. These types of services are extremely important to people who lose their pets and are looking for a permanent resting place for them.
According to Nancy Taylor, president and CEO, Bideawee, Inc. “Difficult times demand difficult decisions; and this realignment of Bideawee resources will help the organization survive this financial downturn, and position us to grow and thrive when the economy recovers and we move into the future”
While this will probably be a common occurence at facilities across the the country, we can only hope that those who run these facilities do so with the sincerity and concern for the animals that is held by those who run Bideawee. We wish them luck and prosperity in the future. Our future pets depend on it!!!
Check out more about the organization by clicking here.
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