Mayor Giuliani distances himself from all questions about his selection of the Health Department and its failure to properly monitor the management of NYC's animal shelters. His Health Commissioner, to whom he passes the buck, responds with the following hyperbole and distorted statistics.
[seal]
THE CITY OF NEW YORK
OFFICE OF THE MAYOR
NEW YORK, N.Y. 10007
December 12, 1996
Mr. Gary Kaskel
1700 York Avenue
NewYork,NY10128
Dear Mr. Kaskel:
I write on behalf of Mayor Giuliani in response to your recent letter regarding the Center for Animal Care and Control (CACC).
The CACC was created in 1994 as an independent not-for-profit corporation whose mission is to provide the most humane care for the hundreds of animals that are brought to our shelters each day. The Center's goal is to work together with citizens and animal care organizations of New York City, including area shelters and humane organizations, to reduce the number of homeless animals through increased adoption and spay/neuter programs and by heightening awareness about responsible pet ownership.
The CACC has reduced euthanasia by 4 percent as compared to the ASPCA in its last full year under contract with the City. During that period, the CACC had one of the lowest euthanasia rates of any large shelter system in the country. Adoptions to the public are up 10 percent as compared to the ASPCA in its last full year under contract with the City. Last year the Center secured adoptions for more than 10,000 dogs and cats.
In addition, beginning in 1997, the City will spend over $4 million to improve its two shelters. Also, the City will operationalize its computerized shelter management system which will facilitate adoption, lost and found, and other programs.
Please be assured that through the combined efforts of the Department of Health and the City's contractor, the Center for Animal Care and Control, the administration is moving forward to address concerns about the stray animal population.
We thank you for writing and sharing your views.
Sincerely,
/s/ Margaret Hamburg
Commissioner
Department of Health
[seal]
THE CITY OF NEW YORK
OFFICE OF THE MAYOR
NEW YORK, N.Y. 10007
December 12, 1996
Mr. Gary Kaskel
1700 York Avenue
NewYork,NY10128
Dear Mr. Kaskel:
I write on behalf of Mayor Giuliani in response to your recent letter regarding the Center for Animal Care and Control (CACC).
The CACC was created in 1994 as an independent not-for-profit corporation whose mission is to provide the most humane care for the hundreds of animals that are brought to our shelters each day. The Center's goal is to work together with citizens and animal care organizations of New York City, including area shelters and humane organizations, to reduce the number of homeless animals through increased adoption and spay/neuter programs and by heightening awareness about responsible pet ownership.
The CACC has reduced euthanasia by 4 percent as compared to the ASPCA in its last full year under contract with the City. During that period, the CACC had one of the lowest euthanasia rates of any large shelter system in the country. Adoptions to the public are up 10 percent as compared to the ASPCA in its last full year under contract with the City. Last year the Center secured adoptions for more than 10,000 dogs and cats.
In addition, beginning in 1997, the City will spend over $4 million to improve its two shelters. Also, the City will operationalize its computerized shelter management system which will facilitate adoption, lost and found, and other programs.
Please be assured that through the combined efforts of the Department of Health and the City's contractor, the Center for Animal Care and Control, the administration is moving forward to address concerns about the stray animal population.
We thank you for writing and sharing your views.
Sincerely,
/s/ Margaret Hamburg
Commissioner
Department of Health
