NY pet 'ATM' stores data on lost, adoptable pets

As part of its far-reaching plan to create a no-kill community, New York City Animal Care and Control (NYCAC&C), the largest animal shelter center nationwide, has debuted technology to increase adoptions and reunite pet owners with lost animals.

Christened the "Pet-Ark," or animal rescue kiosk, the technology, developed by an organization of the same name, is best described as a virtual pet ATM, linking information about numerous pets located at nine regional shelters around New York City's five boroughs.

The "adoption ATMs" literally resemble computerized cash machines, but instead offer data on homeless dogs, cats, birds and horses in the New York City metropolitan area.

"It's our hope that this type of technology will benefit all shelters across the United States in promoting adoptions and making it easier for people to find their lost pets," says Ed Boks, executive director of the nonprofit NYCAC&C.

Ed Boks

Interested adopters can use the Pet-Ark to select a pet by breed, size, or age. The computer then gives a printout of the matching animal's picture, name, ID number and location. The kiosk also serves to help owners locate lost pets.

The eventual goal is to place the kiosks in 50 city shelters, as well as libraries, banks and other public places.

Boks says he'd also love to see the kiosks in veterinary clinics, but says funding may be an issue as individual clinics would have to fund each unit, which runs about $3,500.

"The ultimate vision is to add lots of value to these kiosks so it'd be a win-win for anyone wanting to host one. There would be veterinary information, animal behavioral information, a one-stop shop for any animal welfare question you might have," Boks says.

Funded in part by PetsMart Charities and the Mary Tyler Moore and Robert S. Levine Foundation, the project was spearheaded by Boks, former head of Arizona's Maricopa County Animal Care & Control, the largest pet adoption agency in the United States. The Pet-Ark technology will be rolled out in Arizona later this year, according to Boks.

The agency says the program is just one component of a plan to revolutionize the city's animal shelter and reduce - eventually halt - shelter killings.

Bigger picture

In 2002 alone, 30,000 dogs and cats were killed in New York shelters. To combat such staggering numbers, NYCAC&C says it has embarked on a five-year goal to stop all killing of animals in its shelters.

One particular effort called the STAR program (special treatment and recovery) is designed to help provide more adequate medical treatment to injured animals coming into the shelters. Such a program is already under way in Arizona, and Boks hopes to replicate efforts in New York.

"Often injured animals can't be treated and adopted out rather than euthanized. The typical practice of animal control organizations is to euthanize these animals when they come in. But through the STAR and other programs, our ultimate goal is to reduce euthanasia," Boks says.

The Today Show conducted a feature on the benefits of the animal rescue kiosk pictured here.

He adds, "We will always be on the lookout for the best way to save lives of animals."

Through a culmination of such programs, Boks says he anticipates the elimination of any rivalry that may exist between veterinary practitioners and shelters. "In most communities, there seems to be an antagonism between veterinarians and shelters, where they see us in some way as competitors, rather than suppliers.

DVM-friendly shelter

"I sure do hope to change that image. I'm hoping we can embrace the veterinary community and that they will embrace animal care and control. To whatever degree they can help us, we will certainly do whatever we can to send customers their way."