There was cause for celebration this month at the ASPCA! After a record-breaking year at the ASPCA Kitten Nursery, it was time to thank everyone for their hard work. The “End of Season Kitten Nursery Celebration” took place at the ASPCA Adoption Center on November 8 to honor staff and volunteers responsible for impacting the lives of 1,743 kittens that made their way through the Nursery in 2016. This was a 14% increase since the 2015 season! 

“It’s not just a number,” said Lourdes Bravo, Senior Manager of the Kitten Nursery and the ASPCA Gloria Gurney Canine Annex for Recovery & Enrichment (CARE). “It also represents the contribution of our dedicated staff and volunteers, and the impact their work had on the lives of these vulnerable animals.”

Gillian Drace, New Hope Coordinator for Animal Care Centers of NY (ACC) also spoke to the group, thanking the ASCPA for its efforts in saving more than 1,300 kittens that came from ACC alone. “More than 80 rescue groups pull kittens from us, but only the ASPCA takes in all criteria, including queens (nursing mothers) and bottle babies,” she said.

The day was filled with congratulations and accolades, and concluded with a slideshow that had been put together by a volunteer, showing some of the adorable graduates of the Nursery and moments from the past year. The celebration was a deserved one for everyone across the ASPCA and partnering organizations that have worked so hard to care for the kittens.

“It certainly takes a village, and I'm especially proud of this village,” said Gail Buchwald, Senior Vice President of the Adoption Center. “Together you have saved more kittens than ever before.”

If you are interested in adopting a kitten from the ASPCA, please call our Adoptions department in New York City at (212) 876-7700 ext. 4120.