November 4, 2009
Dr. Thomas Farley
Commissioner
NYC Department of Health
Via: VPCS Health <vpcshealth@health.nyc.gov>; Dr. Thomas Farley <tfarley@health.nyc.gov>
Dear Dr. Farley,
We are disappointed (but not surprised) by your response (see attached) to the group’s petition.
Please do not insult our intelligence. We wanted honest answers and a firm commitment from you. Instead,
you chose to parrot the cheerful claims posted on the ACC’s website.
We are rescuers, volunteers, donors, lawyers, doctors, teachers, professional writers and photographers,
media consultants, social workers, teachers, and other skilled professionals. We are not on the ACC’s payroll.
We cannot be bought or intimidated. We are knowledgeable about the conditions at the ACC, and our voices
will be heard.
This is what your letter failed to adequately address:
“The Board of Directors is aware of the concerns you have raised ….”
One of our concerns IS the Board of Directors. We want new Directors, not rubber stamps for the DOH. We
need major philanthropists on the Board who will not only give of their own money, but will attract other monies
for the ACC. Your current directors make little or no contribution (with money or influence) toward helping the
ACC and its animals.
“Last year the ACC allocated $8.6 million ….”.
The budgets allotted by the DOH have always been far below even the “low” end of what experts say is
necessary to fund a shelter. Years ago, the Humane Society of the United States said that per capita spending
for municipal shelters should range between $3 - $5 per capita. The ACC receives less than 95 cents per
capita.
And now the DOH is further reducing the budget, without concern for the fact that the ACC shelters are
understaffed, overcrowded and disease-ridden.
“AC&C and the Department are committed to the health and safety of New York animals.”
The DOH’s track record is a poor reflection of such a commitment. For example, where are the shelters for
Queens and the Bronx that were ordered back in 2002? Also, why haven’t you investigated the ill-conceived
and poorly executed “renovation” of the Manhattan shelter? We want you to be the Commissioner of Health …
for New York City’s people and their pets. And that means providing sufficient and properly designed shelters,
not shoddily converted old buildings.
“Since 2000, AC&C has reduced euthanasia by more than 50% and increased the number of animals adopted
by more than 65%.”
Euthanasia is down … but that is due in, important part, to the efforts of rescuers (who account for the major
portion of ACC “adoptions”). But rescuers have hit a brick wall: their foster and adopter networks are drying
up, as are their funds … with monies spent on treating ACC animals for URI (contracted at the ACC). Even the
Mayor’s Alliance, which always tries to maintain an upbeat face, admits that the ACC is in “crisis.” The ACC
now resorts to giving away cats which obviously inflates the “adoptions” numbers.
“As you may know, the AC&C does intend to appeal the decision that was rendered in the litigation brought by
Stray From the Heart.”
And shame on the DOH for appealing that decision. Seven years ago the DOH was told to provide shelters in
the Bronx and in Queens. Where are those shelters? We quote from a letter that Christine Quinn (now
Speaker of the City Council) wrote to Dr. Frieden in June 2003:
“Lastly, I would like to take this opportunity to ask about the status of acquiring shelter sites in Queens and the
Bronx. As part of the Health Committee's negotiations of the Act with the Mayor's Office, it was agreed that
these two boroughs would delay having full-service shelters open until July 1, 2006 if site plans were completed
for a shelter in each of these boroughs by July 1, 2004. Given the long process for siting and acquiring land I
would like to know of the status of your efforts in this matter (emphasis added).”
What is the “status” of the DOH’s efforts . . . 6 years later? It’s stall and delay. Stall and delay. Must the DOH
be shamed into doing the right thing?
“At this time, the focus of the Board’s efforts is selection of the best candidate for Executive Director of the
AC&C.”
We previously stated what we believe should be the qualifications for an Executive Direction. However, no new
ED, however experienced, competent or dedicated, can be expected to achieve real improvements without a
commitment by the DOH to fully back his/her initiatives and recommendations … even when they are opposed
by entrenched and powerful political interests.
And here’s what you were absolutely silent on in your response:
Surprise inspections: do you personally intend to make surprise inspections of the shelters, or will you rely on
your DOH staff, the very persons who have overseen the shelters for years?
Will you invite comments from knowledgeable persons (volunteers, rescuers, current and former ACC staff)
about problems in the DOH’s oversight of the ACC? Or will you rely on what your staff tells you?
Will you examine the polices the DOH staff has set in place for years, and their determination to roll back key
improvements that were fought for at the shelter, e.g. that every dog be walked at least twice a day; that cruelty
seizure animals be accorded the treatment, care, and placement that they would otherwise receive if so lucky
as to have been saved by the ASPCA HLE officers; that experienced volunteers be given access to animals
hidden away from public view; that volunteers have a key role in addressing shelter problems; that rescuers be
given meaningful information about every animal at the ACC.
You inherited a mess, Dr. Farley. We ask you not to retreat into a bubble, surrounded by people who will tell
you what you’d like to hear, not what you need to hear.
SIGNED: SIGNED:
Dr. Thomas Farley
Commissioner
NYC Department of Health
Via: VPCS Health <vpcshealth@health.nyc.gov>; Dr. Thomas Farley <tfarley@health.nyc.gov>
Dear Dr. Farley,
We are disappointed (but not surprised) by your response (see attached) to the group’s petition.
Please do not insult our intelligence. We wanted honest answers and a firm commitment from you. Instead,
you chose to parrot the cheerful claims posted on the ACC’s website.
We are rescuers, volunteers, donors, lawyers, doctors, teachers, professional writers and photographers,
media consultants, social workers, teachers, and other skilled professionals. We are not on the ACC’s payroll.
We cannot be bought or intimidated. We are knowledgeable about the conditions at the ACC, and our voices
will be heard.
This is what your letter failed to adequately address:
“The Board of Directors is aware of the concerns you have raised ….”
One of our concerns IS the Board of Directors. We want new Directors, not rubber stamps for the DOH. We
need major philanthropists on the Board who will not only give of their own money, but will attract other monies
for the ACC. Your current directors make little or no contribution (with money or influence) toward helping the
ACC and its animals.
“Last year the ACC allocated $8.6 million ….”.
The budgets allotted by the DOH have always been far below even the “low” end of what experts say is
necessary to fund a shelter. Years ago, the Humane Society of the United States said that per capita spending
for municipal shelters should range between $3 - $5 per capita. The ACC receives less than 95 cents per
capita.
And now the DOH is further reducing the budget, without concern for the fact that the ACC shelters are
understaffed, overcrowded and disease-ridden.
“AC&C and the Department are committed to the health and safety of New York animals.”
The DOH’s track record is a poor reflection of such a commitment. For example, where are the shelters for
Queens and the Bronx that were ordered back in 2002? Also, why haven’t you investigated the ill-conceived
and poorly executed “renovation” of the Manhattan shelter? We want you to be the Commissioner of Health …
for New York City’s people and their pets. And that means providing sufficient and properly designed shelters,
not shoddily converted old buildings.
“Since 2000, AC&C has reduced euthanasia by more than 50% and increased the number of animals adopted
by more than 65%.”
Euthanasia is down … but that is due in, important part, to the efforts of rescuers (who account for the major
portion of ACC “adoptions”). But rescuers have hit a brick wall: their foster and adopter networks are drying
up, as are their funds … with monies spent on treating ACC animals for URI (contracted at the ACC). Even the
Mayor’s Alliance, which always tries to maintain an upbeat face, admits that the ACC is in “crisis.” The ACC
now resorts to giving away cats which obviously inflates the “adoptions” numbers.
“As you may know, the AC&C does intend to appeal the decision that was rendered in the litigation brought by
Stray From the Heart.”
And shame on the DOH for appealing that decision. Seven years ago the DOH was told to provide shelters in
the Bronx and in Queens. Where are those shelters? We quote from a letter that Christine Quinn (now
Speaker of the City Council) wrote to Dr. Frieden in June 2003:
“Lastly, I would like to take this opportunity to ask about the status of acquiring shelter sites in Queens and the
Bronx. As part of the Health Committee's negotiations of the Act with the Mayor's Office, it was agreed that
these two boroughs would delay having full-service shelters open until July 1, 2006 if site plans were completed
for a shelter in each of these boroughs by July 1, 2004. Given the long process for siting and acquiring land I
would like to know of the status of your efforts in this matter (emphasis added).”
What is the “status” of the DOH’s efforts . . . 6 years later? It’s stall and delay. Stall and delay. Must the DOH
be shamed into doing the right thing?
“At this time, the focus of the Board’s efforts is selection of the best candidate for Executive Director of the
AC&C.”
We previously stated what we believe should be the qualifications for an Executive Direction. However, no new
ED, however experienced, competent or dedicated, can be expected to achieve real improvements without a
commitment by the DOH to fully back his/her initiatives and recommendations … even when they are opposed
by entrenched and powerful political interests.
And here’s what you were absolutely silent on in your response:
Surprise inspections: do you personally intend to make surprise inspections of the shelters, or will you rely on
your DOH staff, the very persons who have overseen the shelters for years?
Will you invite comments from knowledgeable persons (volunteers, rescuers, current and former ACC staff)
about problems in the DOH’s oversight of the ACC? Or will you rely on what your staff tells you?
Will you examine the polices the DOH staff has set in place for years, and their determination to roll back key
improvements that were fought for at the shelter, e.g. that every dog be walked at least twice a day; that cruelty
seizure animals be accorded the treatment, care, and placement that they would otherwise receive if so lucky
as to have been saved by the ASPCA HLE officers; that experienced volunteers be given access to animals
hidden away from public view; that volunteers have a key role in addressing shelter problems; that rescuers be
given meaningful information about every animal at the ACC.
You inherited a mess, Dr. Farley. We ask you not to retreat into a bubble, surrounded by people who will tell
you what you’d like to hear, not what you need to hear.
SIGNED: SIGNED:
| Shelter Reform Action Committee (SRAC) ShelterReform.org: Everything you ever wanted to know about the AC&C, but were afraid to ask. |
