Could Mayor Bloomberg now be courting animal lovers in his bid for reelection?

The mayor announced yesterday that the city had secured a 10-year, $15.5 million grant to increase pet adoptions, neuter pets of low-income New Yorkers, and improve animal-rescue operations.

Mr. Bloomberg, who was holding a black Labrador-mix puppy with droopy ears at the start of his announcement, said that pet adoptions were on the rise in the city, but that too many cats and dogs still lacked homes. Last year, only 17,000 of the 44,000 animals taken into city shelters were adopted, he said.

“If it fit my lifestyle it would be one of the first things I would do,” the mayor said, after recalling his childhood dog, Candy, who was half cocker spaniel and half terrier.

The mayor also introduced a group of puppies – some clad in “I Love New York” T-shirts – that were taken to City Hall for the announcement.

The grant was awarded by Maddie’s Fund, a leading pet-rescue foundation. It was secured after the Mayor’s Al liance for New York City Animals, a coalition of animal-welfare groups created in 2002, was awarded $5 million from the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

The alliance is to contract out the neutering surgery to a veterinary group and distribute money to city animal shelters. It is largely credited for the increased number of pet adoptions. Its goal is to eliminate animal euthanasia in the city over the next 10 years and decrease by 2,800 the number of dogs and cats put down this year.

The president of Maddie’s Fund, Rich Avanzino, called the $15.5 million grant the “largest animal welfare grant” awarded to any municipality and said he hoped it would help New York become a “no-kill” city when it comes to abandoned pets.

The city’s Animal Control Center charges about $80 to adopt a dog and about $50 to adopt a cat, including vaccinations. On average, 50 animals are euthanized daily in the city. That is down from about 150 a year and a half ago.

Those interested in adopting a pet can call 311.