Shelter For Homeless Animals Becomes Homeless

Update: June 11, 2017: Animal Haven moves into new digs! Read more and watch video HERE!

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) Nothing like a shelter for homeless animals becoming homeless.

Animal Haven has been around since 1967, and for the past ten years, was housed at 251 Centre Street in lower Manhattan.  When their lease came due last year, however, Executive Director Tiffany Lacey told 1010 WINS, the landlord decided not to renew it, leaving them without a brick and mortar adoption center.

But it turned out to be a blessing in disguise.  "It was actually good opportunity", Lacey says, "to take a chance, find another location, and basically build our dream shelter."

After an exhaustive search, they lucked out and found a new spot just two blocks away at 200 Centre Street, where Lacey says they've hired ARQ, the same architects who designed the ASPCA's adoption center here in New York as well as the SPCA in San Francisco and PAWS in Chicago, to design a state of the art facility. (Check out the video above which includes a tour of the site under construction and some super cute animals too!!)

The new shelter is slated to open in March, but until then, Animal Haven rallied its hundreds of volunteers to place the animals in foster homes.  They're showcasing those animals at regular adoption events from a mobile unit provided by the Alliance For New York City's Animals.  The unit is located outside 200 Centre Street on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.. from noon to 4:00 pm.

Lacey also notes that despite being 'homeless', Animal Haven is still participating in the New Hope Program, in which private, no-kill rescue organizations pull animals at risk of euthanasia from Animal Care Centers of New York City.  "That really is one of our top priorities", says Lacey, "No matter what was going to happen, we were going to make sure we continued pulling (animals)."  She adds, that they also continue to respond to special requests from ACC to take the harder to place animals, as part of Animal Haven's Recovery Road Fund.

As for how the public can help, Lacey says they're always looking for adopters, volunteers and financial donations.  They're also accepting in-kind donations of paper products, wee-wee pads, kitty litter, pet food, pet toys and other supplies.  In-kind donations can be brought to the directly to the mobile unit.

Get more information at their website AnimalHavenShelter.org or call 212-274-8511.