ASPCA Staff and Volunteers Participate in Annual National Night Out, Connecting with the Community

On Tuesday, August 5, ASPCA staff and volunteers joined NYPD officers at nine different events across all five boroughs of New York City to celebrate National Night Out events.

For over 40 years, National Night Out has aimed to strengthen community ties and enhance partnerships between the police and local communities. Each participating area in this annual initiative has its own unique way of celebrating this important relationship.

ASPCA teams were set up at various precincts and Police Service Areas in Brooklyn, the Bronx, Queens, Manhattan and Staten Island. These teams included staff from a variety of departments, such as the ASPCA Animal Hospital, Community Engagement, Government Relations, Community Medicine and more. Several of our dedicated volunteers also attended.

At each location, teams distributed free promotional items and informational flyers to community members. These flyers contained valuable tips on dog and cat care, as well as details on adoption and volunteer opportunities in New York City. The promotional items handed out included ASPCA-branded pens and dog waste bags, as well as coloring sheets, crayons and bubbles for children.

In addition to sharing helpful materials, our staff and volunteers focused on building meaningful connections with community members and local social service organizations, all while highlighting the importance of the partnership between the ASPCA and NYPD.

This was the first year that David Louridas, Community Engagement Coordinator, participated in National Night Out.

“I loved to see the community come together for safer streets!” David said. “Families were so grateful for the ASPCA’s services, and some told stories of how they have been literally lifesaving for their neighborhood.”

At the event in Staten Island, we connected with a resident who shared their thoughts with us. “I am impressed not only by how ASPCA plays a part in sheltering and through their hospitals and clinics,” they said, “but also by how it is at the forefront of setting best practices for many aspects of animal welfare.”