Everything you always wanted to know about the AC&C
but were afraid to ask.
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NEWSLETTER
April 21, 2015
Scott Stringer has earned street creds when it comes to standing up for NYC's homeless animals. In January 2013 when he was Manhattan Borough President, Stringer released a
groundbreaking report on what ails Animal Care and Control and how to fix it.
And a year later, soon after being sworn in as NYC's Comptroller, Stringer began an audit of the AC&C. Thus, it wasn't surprising that release of that
audit sparked a tsunami of news coverage.
"Animal Care and Control is putting city stray and homeless animals at such risk through shoddy and dangerous practices that would make your skin crawl," reported Stringer at the press conference he convened to release his audit.
"The animals go into the system healthy, and the ones that go out are sick," he added. Stringer praised rescuers who pull animals from the AC&C ... often at their own financial peril ... because so many of AC&C animals require medical care.
Among the deficiencies cited, the audit noted overcrowding, use of expired medications, improper storage of drugs, and a noxious ventilation system at the Brooklyn shelter.
At the press conference, Stringer noted that the AC&C acknowledged most the deficiencies and had taken steps to correct several of them that were within the AC&C's power to correct. But for the big ticket items, the AC&C referred the Comptroller to the Department of Health.
In turn, the Department of Health responded by promising to build an Adoptions Center for the Manhattan Shelter and install a new HVAC system in the Brooklyn shelter. (Now we know why the DOH made those promises back in January 2015. It was to deflect criticism sure to emanate from audit's release.)
Given the DOH's promises,
Stringer said "audits work."
The AC&C responded to the press conference by assuring rescue groups who pull animals from the AC&C that the deficiencies cited in the audit have already been fixed or will be, and that Stringer's charges were "hyperbole" that would "overshadow" the progress the AC&C has made.
The AC&C isn't the Villain; It's the Victim
At the press conference, Comptroller Stringer complimented AC&C Executive Director for her hard work, thanked the AC&C for agreeing to most of the deficiencies cited, and for improvements made at the AC&C over the past 2 years. Despite those improvements, however, Stringer warned that the AC&C has not fixed the core problem preventing it from properly caring for its animals and being a first class shelter system.
The problem is the lack of an independent and professional board of directors.
The AC&C is still very much tied to the Department of Health.
In other words, the DOH is the villain.
"It's time to fix AC&C once and for all," Stringer urged.
Our next newsletter will examine the new DOH promises made in direct response to the audit, and what advocacy and rescue groups (invited to join Mr. Stringer at the press conference) had to say about the audit.
Click here for an official video of Comptroller Stringer's presentation at the April 19, 2015 press conference.
WARNING: These lists are not for the faint-hearted. But they provide a (partial) window into the animals forsaken by the AC&C. The AC&C won't let you see ALL the animals they kill, but you'll get some sense of the extent of the killing.
BECOME AN AC&C VOLUNTEER
AC&C animals aren't responsible for the politics tying the AC&C to the City's Department of Health.
So consider becoming an AC&C volunteer, including becoming an AC&C foster.
Scott Stringer has earned street creds when it comes to standing up for NYC's homeless animals. In January 2013 when he was Manhattan Borough President, Stringer released a
