Legislators Support Funding to Build New Hi-Tor Animal Shelter Facility

Rockland County Legislature Chairman Alden H. Wolfe and Vice Chairman Jay Hood, Jr. have sponsored a resolution that would create a capital project for construction of a new, modern structure for use by the Hi-Tor Animal Care Center.

Wolfe and Hood’s proposal recommends amending the County’s Capital Projects Budget to create a new $500,000 project, which would supplement Hi-Tor’s ongoing capital building campaign and a state grant of $500,000, recently obtained with the assistance of NY Assemblyman Kenneth Zebrowski. The collective amount would be ample to design and construct a suitable replacement facility.

Hi-Tor is a not-for-profit organization providing temporary care and shelter to lost, abandoned and unwanted companion animals and is funded in part by the County. The center occupies a County-constructed building on County-owned land on Firemen’s Memorial Drive in Pomona. According to a 2012 engineering inspection conducted by the County’s Department of General Services, the 38 year-old, one story, concrete block structure is in need of extensive repair and upgrades. Although the organization is responsible for building maintenance, the County has responded to numerous maintenance requests and in recent years replaced the crematory.

“There is no doubt that this organization has operated in the best interest of the animals entrusted to its care,” said Chairman Wolfe. “However, the building is no longer adequate to house the revolving and growing population of lost or abandoned animals and lacks the modern features and conveniences that are helpful for overall efficient operation. The rehabilitation project we created several years ago still hasn’t been acted on, and we owe a responsibility to ensure that the mission of humane care for animals is fulfilled in an adequate and modern facility.”

Vice Chairman Hood added, “The building is in horrible condition. I was at a recent fundraiser for Hi-Tor and was personally embarrassed by a video taken of the conditions which will only continue to deteriorate. Hi-Tor’s capital campaign funds, along with the $500,000 grant secured by Assemblyman Zebrowski and a County contribution of another $500,000, will result in the construction of a larger and modern facility that will be reflective of Hi-Tor’s needs and our County’s responsibility to care for these animals. We must act now and not wait until fiscally convenient, some things are just too important.”

Under the Legislators’ proposal, the newly proposed structure would be owned by the County and leased to Hi-Tor, which would be continue to be responsible for management and operation of the center and maintenance of the facility and surrounding grounds.

Lizanne Fiorentino, President of Hi-Tor said, “We are thrilled with this proposal and it would certainly put Hi-Tor in a position to move forward. We are grateful to Chairman Wolfe and Vice Chairman Hood for sponsoring this proposal and for the ongoing support of the County Legislature.”

The proposed resolution will be discussed at the April 14, 2015, 7:00 pm meeting of the Planning and Public Works Committee. All Legislature committee meetings are open to the public and attendance is encouraged. Meetings take place in the Legislature’s chambers in the Rockland County Office Building, 11 New Hempstead Rd., New City, NY. To obtain information on committee meeting schedules and agendas, please visit www.rocklandgov.com, click on County Legislature and follow link to Committee Agendas or call (845) 638-5100. All agendas are subject to change.

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