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| Shelter Reform Action Committee (SRAC) ShelterReform.org: Everything you ever wanted to know about the AC&C, but were afraid to ask. |
UPDATE ON CAARA as of 2/5/12
The Companion Animal Access and Rescue Act (CAARA) Bill, co-sponsored by New York Assemblyperson
Micah Kellner, was before the New York State Senate Agriculture Committee back in June. Kellner had
proposed this legislation following the 2010 defeat of his so-called “Oreo’s Law".
If passed, CAARA will allow “qualified” rescue groups to pull animals from a shelter (such as the ACC). Equally
important, CAARA does something that no New York State legislation (or even local law in NYC) has ever done
before: set out basic minimum standards of care for shelter animals.
As Best Friends Animal Society explains:
CAARA never made it out of the Committee, and the legislative session ended last year with no action on the bill.
If CAARA had been brought to a vote last year and passed, NYC’s Animal Care & Control would have been inviolation of the basic standard of shelter care that CAARA imposes on every animal shelter throughout New York
State.
CAARA would also have opened the doors to more rescue groups being able to pull from the ACC.
If CAARA had passed, heads would have rolled at the ACC ... and the political ramifications for ACC's master --
the Department of Health -- would have been fascinating.
Most important, if CAARA had passed, the suffering and death of thousands of ACC animals could have been
prevented.
Don’t despair, New Yorkers. CAARA is still very much alive and can pass this year. We urge New Yorkers (and
New Yorkers only, as this is a matter for New York State legislators) to follow the LINK on Nathan. Winograd's
alert, fill in your contact information (showing you are a New Yorker), and with the greatest of ease you will have
contacted New York State Senator Patty Ritchie.
http://www.capwiz.com/thenokillnation/issues/alert/?alertid=60938766&type=CU
Given the disgraceful conditions inside ACC shelters and the Department of Health’s refusal to insist on
leadership that will provide humane care of shelter animals, CAARA is the important FIRST STEP in a change of
guard at the ACC.
Please, contact Senator Ritchie and express your support for CAARA.
The Companion Animal Access and Rescue Act (CAARA) Bill, co-sponsored by New York Assemblyperson
Micah Kellner, was before the New York State Senate Agriculture Committee back in June. Kellner had
proposed this legislation following the 2010 defeat of his so-called “Oreo’s Law".
If passed, CAARA will allow “qualified” rescue groups to pull animals from a shelter (such as the ACC). Equally
important, CAARA does something that no New York State legislation (or even local law in NYC) has ever done
before: set out basic minimum standards of care for shelter animals.
As Best Friends Animal Society explains:
 |
If CAARA had been brought to a vote last year and passed, NYC’s Animal Care & Control would have been in
State.
CAARA would also have opened the doors to more rescue groups being able to pull from the ACC.
If CAARA had passed, heads would have rolled at the ACC ... and the political ramifications for ACC's master --
the Department of Health -- would have been fascinating.
Most important, if CAARA had passed, the suffering and death of thousands of ACC animals could have been
prevented.
Don’t despair, New Yorkers. CAARA is still very much alive and can pass this year. We urge New Yorkers (and
New Yorkers only, as this is a matter for New York State legislators) to follow the LINK on Nathan. Winograd's
alert, fill in your contact information (showing you are a New Yorker), and with the greatest of ease you will have
contacted New York State Senator Patty Ritchie.
http://www.capwiz.com/thenokillnation/issues/alert/?alertid=60938766&type=CU
Given the disgraceful conditions inside ACC shelters and the Department of Health’s refusal to insist on
leadership that will provide humane care of shelter animals, CAARA is the important FIRST STEP in a change of
guard at the ACC.
Please, contact Senator Ritchie and express your support for CAARA.
| CAARA is a comprehensive measure that goes beyond just giving rescue groups mere access. For the first time, it sets qualifications and guidelines for both shelters and rescue groups. Outlining the responsibilities of those who work directly with the animals will help ensure that the animals receive the proper care. These provisions ensure that animals are given fresh food and water on a daily basis, exercise and socialization with other animals, clean living environments, and prompt veterinary care. Additionally, both paper and digital records are required in order to help facilitate finding these animals a home. To ensure compliance, routine inspections of the facility are mandated. Furthermore, CAARA extends whistleblower protections to rescue groups. In many cases, rescue groups have been denied access to shelters for speaking out against bad practices, whether it be for abuse or mismanagement. Every time a group is turned away, it adds to the undue burden on the taxpayer who has to foot the bill for every animal kept or killed in a shelter. Read the article |