Office of Borough President James P. Molinaro
Staten Island, New York
B.P. Molinaro dedicates new animal shelter surgical suite in memory of Tommy Monahan
Part of $851,000 renovation of City animal shelter in Charleston
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. – Borough President James P. Molinaro today announced that a new surgical suite at the City animal shelter in Charleston will be dedicated in memory of Tommy Monahan, the nine-year-old boy who perished in a tragic house fire while trying to rescue his pets last December.
Construction of the “Thomas P. Monahan V Surgical Suite” at the Animal Care & Control (AC&C) of New York City - Staten Island Animal Care Center is expected to be completed in June, when a ribbon-cutting will be held and a bronze plaque bearing Tommy’s likeness will be unveiled.
A new surgery suite at the 3139 Veterans Road West facility means dogs and cats will no longer have to be transported off-site or into the shelter’s spay/neuter van for the procedure. The project is part of an $851,000 renovation of the shelter – $716,000 funded through Molinaro’s capital budget – that also includes an internal makeover (new floors, ceiling tiles, doors and paint), new heating ventilation and cooling systems (HVAC), and repair of flooding problems outside of the shelter.
“What better way to honor the memory of Tommy’s sacrifice than to improve the quality of life for these animals and the people who care for them?” said Molinaro, who made the announcement at a Borough Hall press conference with the Monahan family.
“I would like to thank the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene and Animal Care & Control for agreeing to name this facility after Tommy,” Molinaro added. “My hope is that this dedication will give his family some comfort, knowing that Tommy’s legacy will live on in a place devoted to saving the lives of the animals he loved so much.”
Tommy died on December 16th while trying to rescue his dog, Sophie, and pet lizard from a raging fire in his Prince’s Bay home. A lover of all animals, Tommy and his younger sister, Gabrielle, kept a collection of birthday and Christmas money and donated the $42 to the Charleston shelter. His family has asked mourners to send donations in his name to the shelter.
“We would like to thank Borough President Molinaro and the City of New York for this honor,” said Tommy’s mother, Maria, on behalf of her family. “We are both touched and humbled by this gesture. By accepting this honor in Tommy’s memory, we feel we are accepting it for all those volunteers who give selflessly to care for animals who are unable to care for themselves. Anyone who knew our son knows he truly cared deeply for all living creatures. Let how he lived his life be an inspiration in compassion to all of us.”
Dr. Edgar Butts, Health Department Assistant Commissioner of Veterinary and Pest Control Services said, “Borough President Molinaro’s tribute to Tommy Monahan brings light to the values of a young life that was so tragically ended. Tommy’s civic work on behalf of pet shelters will always be remembered.”
Charlene Pedrolie, Executive Director of Animal Care & Control, said, “Tommy Monahan lost his life trying to rescue the pets he loved. We are so pleased that Borough President Molinaro is honoring Tommy in such a special way. This is a fitting tribute because Tommy had such a deep concern for animals and often raised money to help care for the homeless pets in our shelter.”
Department of Design and Construction Commissioner David J. Burney, AIA, said, “Pets enhance our quality of life – something Tommy Monahan understood so well. Our upgrading of the center will enable the entire staff to provide a higher level of care. The dedication of the surgical suite is a fitting tribute to a special boy.”
Since 1995, Animal Care & Control has been the organization responsible for New York City’s municipal shelter system, rescuing more than 150 lost and homeless animals each day. Pet adoption hours are 12 noon to 7 p.m., seven days a week. For information about adopting a pet or volunteer opportunities, call AC&C at (212) 788-4000 or visit their website at www.nycacc.org.
February 14, 2008