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.
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.