The Town of Smithtown Animal and Adoption Center has been awarded $168,750 for the construction of an additional building at the current shelter. Smithtown is one of 14 animal shelters and humane societies across New York State to be hand picked by Governor Andrew M. Cuomo in a statewide grant initiative that is the first of its kind.
“This funding will better equip these facilities and help improve quality care, as these shelters continue to strive to find dogs and cats under their care a permanent, loving home.” – Governor Andrew M. Cuomo
“This is a real testament to the work we’ve been doing. These grants were awarded to shelters specifically that have made strides to improve the treatment, training and medical care of all our animal guests. Building a TNR (Trap, Neuter, Release) structure will give strays and rescued animals a state-of-the-art facility to comfortably isolate and medically assess them for adoption, spay/neuter release programs. We can better protect them from infections, increasing their chances at healthy and happy lives.” – Chief John Valentine, Director of Public Safety
The Smithtown Animal and Adoption Center was chosen for this competitive grant funding based on both the need and the readiness of the project. The grant money will go toward the construction of a new T.N.R. building. The “Trap, Neuter, Return” (or Release) building will house the intake of animals, isolation and trap-neuter-return areas.
“I would like to thank and commend our incredibly devoted staff and Public Safety Department. They never stop looking for ways to improve the quality of life for our four-legged visitors. This grant will help us to keep our adoptable pets healthy and humanely and effectively control the free-roaming cat population through our spay/neuter & release program.” – Councilwoman Lisa Inzerillo, Liaison to the Smithtown Animal and Adoption Center.
The New York State Companion Animal Capital Fund (2017-18 New York State Budget) is the first state-funded program in the nation geared towards financing improvement projects at animal shelters across New York. Funding for the program totals close to $5 million and is designed to improve the care and health of rescued animals to increase adoption rates for dogs and cats.