| . |
| Shelter Reform Action Committee (SRAC) ShelterReform.org: Everything you ever wanted to know about the AC&C, but were afraid to ask. |
Lack of Space: The Truth Behind the ACC’s Deception
Those following the ACC’s history may remember that, starting January 1, 2010, the ACC could no longer
admit it was killing animals for ”space.” The ACC could continue killing animals for so-called “illness” or
“behavior,” but could never again say it killed any animal for “space” … meaning, no “healthy” animal could be
killed simply because there was no space in the ACC shelters.
According to reports submitted by the Mayor’s Alliance to Maddie’s Fund (see line 'M" in the annual report
click here), the ACC didn’t kill any “healthy” animals in 2009 as well as 2010. Really?
Here’s the ACC’s current spin on why it kills (er, “euthanizes”) animals:
8. How long before animals are put to sleep (euthanized)?
The above paragraph demonstrates the verbal contortions the ACC goes through to avoid using the word
“space” when explaining why it kills animals. The ACC cannot even mention the word “space.”
Yet, even the Mayor’s Alliance has recently admitted that “space” remains a problem. This is what the
Alliance stated when describing the vans it provides to transfer ACC animals to rescue groups:
Despite those van transports, ACC shelters remain overcrowded. And the issue of this lack of space raises its politically ugly head in connection with the proposed Agreement negotiated between the City on the one hand,
and the Alliance and the ASPCA, on the other. (For more information on the Agreement click here.) That
Agreement would relieve the City of any legal obligation to build animal shelters for the Bronx and Queens.
By law, those shelters were to have been built by 2006 (pushed back from the original due date of 2002).
In connection with the proposed Agreement, the Mayor’s Alliance acknowledged how desperately those
shelters are needed:
Thus, the political reality is that the City never intended to build those shelters. And this means that homeless
dogs and cats are literally dying for space. Shelter overcrowding will become more acute when, under the
proposed Agreement, the ACC resumes and expands its Field Operation services. Now it will once again pick
up cats, and with more van hours, it will end up picking up more dogs as well.
The result is that the ACC’s shelter animal population will explode.
But of course, we can rely on the DOH, and ACC Management to deny there’s overcrowding. That’s a given
as long as those folks are in charge of the ACC.
The only chance for the Bronx and Queens to have animal shelters is when New York City politicians remove
the DOH from its control over the ACC. Once that happens, the ACC can have a qualified and motivated
Board of Directors (not rubberstamps for the DOH and the Mayor’s Office). In turn, these new Board
members will hire competent and innovative ACC management, and proceed with the serious work of
fundraising.
But until that happens, the Bronx and Queens will never have their own animal shelters. And the homeless
animals of NYC will pay the price.
Those following the ACC’s history may remember that, starting January 1, 2010, the ACC could no longer
admit it was killing animals for ”space.” The ACC could continue killing animals for so-called “illness” or
“behavior,” but could never again say it killed any animal for “space” … meaning, no “healthy” animal could be
killed simply because there was no space in the ACC shelters.
According to reports submitted by the Mayor’s Alliance to Maddie’s Fund (see line 'M" in the annual report
click here), the ACC didn’t kill any “healthy” animals in 2009 as well as 2010. Really?
Here’s the ACC’s current spin on why it kills (er, “euthanizes”) animals:
8. How long before animals are put to sleep (euthanized)?
 | There is no specific time period we hold animals. AC&C rescues 43,000 animals per year. We are also | |
| an “open admissions shelter” meaning we don’t close our doors to newly arriving animals when we are full. If someone brings an animal to our shelter we are required by law to take it in. Therefore, we must always have room for the dogs and cats that are in need of rescue. During the winter months, when intake of animals is slightly lower, we can hold animals for longer periods of time than we can during the very busy summer months. Many animals are placed but the ones who are not, usually due to illness and behavior may be humanely euthanized. However, the euthanasia of animals is not acceptable to us and we will continue to work hard placing animals until one day all adoptable and sick but treatable animals are in loving homes. (emphasis added). http://www.nycacc.org/FAQ.htm |
The above paragraph demonstrates the verbal contortions the ACC goes through to avoid using the word
“space” when explaining why it kills animals. The ACC cannot even mention the word “space.”
Yet, even the Mayor’s Alliance has recently admitted that “space” remains a problem. This is what the
Alliance stated when describing the vans it provides to transfer ACC animals to rescue groups:
 | These timely transports reduce the number of cats and dogs killed for lack of space at the shelter, | |
| and also lessen the risk that these animals will contract upper respiratory infection, kennel cough, or other illnesses that can spread quickly throughout a shelter. (emphasis added). https://www.newyorkcompanion.com/Wheels_of_Hope.html | ||
|
and the Alliance and the ASPCA, on the other. (For more information on the Agreement click here.) That
Agreement would relieve the City of any legal obligation to build animal shelters for the Bronx and Queens.
By law, those shelters were to have been built by 2006 (pushed back from the original due date of 2002).
In connection with the proposed Agreement, the Mayor’s Alliance acknowledged how desperately those
shelters are needed:
| ||
| "We do need full-service shelters in all five boroughs," said Jane Hoffman of the Mayors Alliance for | |
| NYC's Animals, who - along with ASPCA officials - helped broker the deal with the city. | ||
| "The political reality, the budget reality and the loss of the [Stray From The Heart] lawsuit says we are | |
| not going to get them," Hoffman said. "So we needed to get something done to deal with the crisis going on right now." http://articles.nydailynews.com/2011-08-01/local/29859995_1_animal-shelters-ac-c- stray-cats |
Thus, the political reality is that the City never intended to build those shelters. And this means that homeless
dogs and cats are literally dying for space. Shelter overcrowding will become more acute when, under the
proposed Agreement, the ACC resumes and expands its Field Operation services. Now it will once again pick
up cats, and with more van hours, it will end up picking up more dogs as well.
The result is that the ACC’s shelter animal population will explode.
But of course, we can rely on the DOH, and ACC Management to deny there’s overcrowding. That’s a given
as long as those folks are in charge of the ACC.
The only chance for the Bronx and Queens to have animal shelters is when New York City politicians remove
the DOH from its control over the ACC. Once that happens, the ACC can have a qualified and motivated
Board of Directors (not rubberstamps for the DOH and the Mayor’s Office). In turn, these new Board
members will hire competent and innovative ACC management, and proceed with the serious work of
fundraising.
But until that happens, the Bronx and Queens will never have their own animal shelters. And the homeless
animals of NYC will pay the price.