About Us:

Mission Statement: The SRAC was formed in 1994 to improve conditions and
accountability in the New York City animal shelter system through education, lobbying,
legislative initiatives and legal action.  To expose the dysfunction and indifference by the
City’s Department of Health (DOH) in its stewardship of the AC&C, and remove the DOH
from control over the current shelter system.  To create an entity (whether a new
Department of Animals Affairs or an independent organization) whose primary goal is the
care and placement of the City’s homeless pet population.  To lead organizations in creating
a network of low cost spay/neuter facilities throughout the City. To require that the Board of
Education to honor its obligation to teach the humane treatment of animals to our City’s
children.

Who we are: SRAC is a coalition of animal advocate organizations, rescuers, former
AC&C employees and volunteers, and concerned citizens. Our activities are funded through
the volunteerism and generosity of those who care about the plight of animals.

How you can help:
Write, email and call the officials that can change things. Get contact information here
If you'd like to volunteer or contribute,  e-mail us at: info@ShelterReform.org


SRAC's EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE



Esther Koslow: Co-Chair
Former Volunteer at Animal Care & Control, Co-creator of the AC&C's Cruelty Seizure
Committee, Co-creator of the Volunteer Biographers/Photographers
email:
Info@ShelterReform.org

Jennifer Panton: Co-Chair
President, United Action for Animal, Co-creator and Head  of the AC&C's Cruelty Seizure
Committee
212-249-9178
United Action for Animals
P.O. Box 635
New York, NY  10021
email:
jpanton@ua4a.org

Abbe Chant: Treasurer
CPA, Business Manager for recording artists, Burton Goldstein & Co., LLC, Program
Director and Member of the Board of Directors for Woof Dog Rescue, Conducts foster
orientation for the AC&C
Woof Dog Rescue Inc.
PO Box 1539
Gracie Station
New York, NY 10028
Phone: 212-517-PAWS
email:
aschant@yahoo.com


Lynn Grossman: Secretary
Freelance computer consultant, Former  Volunteer at Animal Care & Control
email:
Info@ShelterReform.org


Why  the SRAC Was Created

The SRAC was formed  as an unincorporated association in 1994 to serve as witness and
credit of the DOH’s domination of the AC&C and to serve as an advocate for the AC&C
animals. The original executive committee consisted of:
Gary Kaskel  (co-chair), Marie Mar
(co-chair), Julie Van Ness (treasurer) and Barbara Stagno (secretary).  Other founding
members included:
Livi French, Patty Adjamine and Carol Caver.

While we have succeeded in opening up AC&C records and Board meetings, secured vital
legislation, ushered the exit of some incompetents from the AC&C Board and AC&C
management, major obstacles still remain.  As long as the Mayor has absolute and exclusive
power to determine who and/or what will control the City’s pet animal services, there can be
no major reform.  As long as there is no independent Department of Animal Affairs or a true
stand-alone organization to assume responsibility for the homeless pet population, there
can be no true reform.

We need to change the 1894 State Law giving New York City’s Mayor the exclusive right
over the life and death of the City’s pet population. We need to create an organization that
has the care of animals as its primary goal.  The DOH has always cynically underfunded the
AC&C, preventing it from properly caring for the City’s homeless pet population. We need
the City to create ample low cost spay/neuter facilities in the neighborhoods which are
epicenters of homeless pets.  We need the City to enforce legislative rules made long ago
that animal care and compassion be taught in our public schools.

Will you help us in these efforts?

Read more about the problems with the Mayor having control over the City's Shelter system.





Contact Us

e-mail us at: info@ShelterReform



SRAC Home Page
History of NYC Shelter
               Shelter Reform Action Committee (SRAC)
                                              ShelterReform.org: Everything you ever wanted to know about the AC&C, but were afraid to ask.