June 20, 2006
Animal Care & Control: Better, But Half the Animals Are Killed
NYC Comptroller (and potential 2009 mayoral candidate) William Thompson issued a new audit of Animal Care & Control and found that though conditions are better than in 2002, there are still issues with animals' health, security, and how the agency deals with missing animal reports. Some of the findings:
- 52% of the cats and dogs taken in were euthanized (this is a 13% decrease from 2004, but the Daily News summarized it "Shelter means death")
- Sick animals weren't isolated from healthy ones
- No accountability for missing animal investigations
- Dogs were not exercised properly ("AC&C maintained that it could not use its dog runs at the Manhattan shelter because of noise complaints, but could not explain why the Brooklyn runs were not used.")
- Medicine is kept in unlocked cabinets and visitors aren't always supervised when handling pets
- Adoption areas are not always clean
The ACC is contracted by the city to help get pets adopted and run the shelter system, and its director says improvements have been made in security and cleaning. The missing pet investigation finding, though, is troubling, because owners only have 48 hours to notify ACC that a pet is missing anyway. In 2002, Comptroller Thompson found terrible conditions (here's the 2002 audit).
On our forums someone posted a notice about some kitty cats available for adoption - you may not want to look because it's way too cute. And the ACC has a Cafepress shop - check out the "Gay Adoption" tote!
|
This whole 311 noise complaint bullshit has gone too far. These prudes are causing puppies to get sick. Inhumane!
Cute Kittens..
I'll take em all..!
Just last week I watched a local Fox TV special on a celebrity driven "Paws For Style" event, wherein tens of thousands of dollars were raised and given to the ACC in unrestricted funding. If not better the facility, where's the money going -- Starbucks????
AC&C is the only animal care organization in New York City that never turns away animals (regardless of the animal's health, temperament, or adoptability). The shelters take in over 120 animals EVERY DAY, an overwhelming charge that requires enormous resources, which AC&C doesn't have.
The real solution to this situation lies in responsible pet ownership, especially spaying and neutering.
As a volunteer for AC&C I know that there are certainly improvements that can be made. But I am proud to work with an organization that is staffed by people so dedicated to making a difference even with their limited resources. I encourage folks to participate in improving the situation by adopting (not buying) their pets, fostering sick animals, and volunteering at the shelters or off-site events.
ha! i'm self cleaning. awesome.