FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 25, 2018
Contact: John Lyon (845) 638-5645

Pomona, NY – County Executive Ed Day joined with Hi Tor Animal Care Center's Board of Directors President, Debbie DiBernardo to denounce the actions of the Village of Spring Valley Government. On April 18th, the Village of Spring Valley failed to pass a resolution executing the Inter-Municipal Agreement between the Village and the County of Rockland for Hi Tor animal control. By failing to pass this agreement the Village of Spring Valley is refusing to pay their fair share of costs related to animal control.

"Using actual numbers based on our animal intake and expenses versus revenue sources, we determined what our shortfall was," said Board President DiBernardo. "Based on the intake of animals from each municipality, we assessed a dollar amount to each and that became the basis of animal control costs. Our point of view is that it is simple mathematics."

Beginning May 1st, 2018 Hi Tor will no longer accept animals brought to the shelter by the Village of Spring Valley Police Department. Animals brought to the shelter by the residents of the Village will be charged $750 for dogs and $500 for cats in order for the animal to be admitted.

"If Spring Valley does not pass this agreement Rockland will seek to recover the $22,684 that they owe for the animals that have been brought to this county facility so far, this year. It is unconscionable that the Village Board is refusing to pay their fair share and I call on them to do the right thing for their residents, both human and animal alike," said County Executive Day.

In January, County Executive Day signed a resolution, passed with the support of the Legislature to bond $1.2 million to finance the construction of a new building for the Hi Tor Animal Care Center. This money combined with $350,000 from Hi Tor's fundraising and $500,000 in state grants from Assemblyman Zebrowski means a new $2,050,000 facility will be built here in Pomona on the existing animal shelter site.

The County is in the process of borrowing that money and will soon issue an RFP to secure an Architect to begin the process of designing this new facility. Groundbreaking should occur mid-2019.

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