WORLD WORLDWIDE USA New York NY NewYork New York City NYC thecity THE CITY News Journal Update - THE CITY SCOOP: Overcrowded City Animal Shelters Closed to New Arrivals

 

View this email in your browser If you know anyone who might like this newsletter, send it to them. If this was sent to you by someone else, subscribe here — it's free!  Dear New Yorkers, For the first time in recent memory, the city’s animal care agency announced last week that its facilities were too crowded to accept cats. Buttons, a white and brown domestic short-haired cat, has lived since May 18 inside a double-wide cat condo at a city animal shelter in East Harlem. He’s luckier than Grubhub, a silver four-month-old who has spent two days inside a so-called pop-up kennel a few feet away as cats are being stashed in crates that line the corridors. Officials at the city-sponsored nonprofit shelter network say financial pressure on pet owners is partially to blame for a surge in the number of cats being surrendered. “I think it all trickles down to nobody being really able to financially support animals,” said Dorothy Blomquist, an admissions supervisor at the Manhattan location. Read more here. Some other items of note: Mayor Eric Adams remarked that people camping outside hotels “just have to wait” as the city’s migrant crisis deepens. Over the weekend, many were forced to sleep outside and endure sweltering heat to try and get inside the city’s “welcome center” for new arrivals at the Roosevelt Hotel in Manhattan. Advocates are talking about suing City Hall for violating the right to shelter here, while Adams is talking about how “it’s not going to get any better” ahead of what he cryptically says will be “a next phase” coming soon. Subway and bus commuters got an unwelcome surprise yesterday: a planned 15-cent fare hike, scheduled to go into effect on Aug. 20, arrived three weeks early. The error was caused by “prematurely implemented software changes” by the contractor that developed the OMNY fare-payment system, according to the MTA. Customers were promised refunds. Do you have questions about preparing for climate change and extreme weather in New York City? Join THE CITY at our next Open Newsroom event on Thursday, Aug. 3, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Queens Public Library’s central branch. A panel of experts will be there to answer your questions. Can’t make it? We got you. Email your questions to ask@thecity.nyc with “CLIMATE” in the subject line and we’ll send answers. You can also share your stories and photos with the team here. Hey, Scoop subscribers: We’re a small nonprofit newsroom and could use your help in figuring out how best to serve you. Your insights aid our mission in helping New Yorkers across the five boroughs engage in civic life. Consider taking our 10-minute survey — and helping shape the future of our newsroom. As an added incentive, we’re giving a $100 gift card for Bluestockings Cooperative Bookstore to one respondent. For the latest local numbers on COVID-19 hospitalizations, positivity rates and more, check our coronavirus tracker.  Weather scoop by New York Metro Weather Tuesday's Weather Rating: 10/10. BACK AT IT. High temperatures in the low 80s, dew points falling into the 40s, plenty of sunshine and a gorgeous breeze. We'll keep an eye out for a widely isolated shower later on. The vibes are immaculate once again. Things To Do Here’s what’s going on around the city this week. Tuesday, Aug. 1: An outdoor film screening of “Guardians of the Galaxy” at Van Cortlandt Park, The Bronx. Music begins at 7 p.m., movie-themed crafts begin at 7:30 p.m., and the movie starts at last light. Free.  Friday, Aug. 4: Singer-songwriter Indigo De Souza performs in the BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn! concert series with opener Vundabar. Lena Horne Bandshell, Prospect Park. Doors open 6:30 p.m. and the show starts at 7:30 p.m. Free. Sunday, Aug. 6: Last day to catch the Public Theater’s Shakespeare in the Park production of “Hamlet” at the Delacorte Theater in Central Park. Ticket information here. Free. THE KICKER: New York’s first legal cannabis dispensary, operated by the nonprofit Housing Works in Greenwich Village, has netted $12 million in sales in its first six months. There are now 21 recreational dispensaries statewide. Thanks, as always, for reading. Make it a great Tuesday. Love, THE CITY P.S. If you liked something about today's newsletter, or didn't, let us know at zshah@thecity.nyc THE CITY's work is made possible, in part, through the support of our sponsors. Interested in becoming a sponsor of THE CITY? Contact us here.  Copyright © 2023 THE CITY, All rights reserved.