Stop the Killing – Another Brick in NYC ACC’s Wall

I make no attempt at hiding my dislike (to put it mildly) of New York City’s Animal Care & Control.  I’ve written a number of posts concerning the problems there, as well as No Kill New York’s fight to bring change to the NYC ACC.

A few days ago, I learned about a new problem – one that earns the ACC, it’s director Julie Bank, the remainder of the Executive Staff, the Board of Directors, the Mayor’s Alliance, and the Mayor (they are ALL responsible for what goes on there), yet another brick in their Wall of Shame.

This is Gloria.  I first heard her story at YesBiscuit!  Gloria was abandoned at an ASPCA mobile clinic in Queens, presumably in late December 2011.  The ASPCA brought her to the pound.  She arrived at NYC ACC on 12-29-2011 and was examined (presumably by a veterinarian) on that day.  She had a second veterinary exam on 1-15-12, when she was placed on the kill list for having a cold.  After being rescued by Pets Alive, a vet exam revealed she had a severely broken leg that had to be amputated after being left untreated during her 3 week stay at NYC ACC.

As word spread, animal lovers and activists cried foul loud and clear.  They demanded an investigation of ASPCA’s role in the incident.  It was unthinkable they would have turned an injured animal over to the ACC without basic treatment or informing ACC of the problem.

On Friday, the Pets Alive Blog posted an update, including the news that the ASPCA investigated the incident, realized they had made a mistake by following the then current protocols to the letter, rewrote the protocols to insure this type of incident will not happen again, and apologized. 

Here is the press statement that is being released by the ASPCA in response to Gloria:

The ASPCA has conducted an internal investigation into why Gloria, a stray cat with a broken leg who was abandoned in front of one of the ASPCA’s mobile spay/neuter vehicles, was transferred to NYC AC&C.

Our staff followed our regular procedure of sending stray animals left with us to NYC AC&C since that is where people who have lost their pets go to look for them.  At the time Gloria was admitted to AC&C, we notified its staff that Gloria had a broken leg and needed treatment.

The bottom line is that we failed Gloria, and we are grateful that Pets Alive saved her. Our strict adherence to regular procedure was clearly contrary to our mission in this case, and we deeply regret that we did not alter protocol to treat Gloria immediately instead of relying on AC&C to do so. We are implementing new procedures to prevent this from happening again.

We thank Pets Alive for stepping up to provide Gloria with the surgery and care she needed. The ASPCA is awarding a grant to Pets Alive to fund the cost of Gloria’s surgery, medical care, and convalescence and to continue its work saving more animals.

Notice the sentence in bold and underlined (my emphasis).  NYC ACC was told Gloria needed medical treatment, and they did absolutely nothing.  Her broken leg was not noted during her TWO (2) medical evaluations.  They let her suffer for 3 weeks, and then put her on the kill list after she caught a cold (very typical for any animal who spends more than a day or two at the ACC).

As John Sibley notes in his blog post, the ASPCA made a mistake (which they’ve since addressed) while the ACC demonstrated total incompetency. Like John, I have issues with the ASPCA, but appreciate their coming clean about what happened with Gloria.  It’s encouraging to see there are still at least a few people there who care.  Sadly, I doubt the ACC will investigate the incident, take any action, or even make any comments.  That just isn’t their style.

The links below are other posts I’ve made about NYC ACC, as well as two other blogs that write about the ACC. 

Please like and follow No Kill New York's page on Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/NoKill.NY -   to keep up with ongoing efforts to bring about change. Be sure to read their 44 days of action plans in the Notes Section. Some are informational, and give food for thought and/or links for reading. Some ask you to send an email, fax or letter.  I have some letters you can copy/paste in the notes section on my Facebook page (just please be sure to do a quick edit to change state name and otherwise personalize it a bit).

If you are horrified and/or appalled by what is happening at NYC ACC, then please take action. It only takes a few minutes per action plan.

Stop the Killing – Wall of Shame: NYC ACC

http://angelpawanimaladvocacy.blogspot.com/2011/09/stop-killing-wall-of-shame-nyc-acc.html

Stop the Killing – Why Everyone Should Join the Battle for No Kill New York

http://angelpawanimaladvocacy.blogspot.com/2011/10/stop-killing-why-everyone-should-join.html

The Battle for No Kill New York Has Begun

http://www.facebook.com/notes/no-kill-new-york/the-battle-for-no-kill-new-york-has-begun/281504478534222

Stop the Killing – Speak Out

http://angelpawanimaladvocacy.blogspot.com/2011/10/stop-killing-speak-out.html

Why I Am Fighting Against NYC ACC

http://angelpawanimaladvocacy.blogspot.com/2011/10/why-i-am-fighting-against-nyc-acc.html

My Letters re: Reforming NYC ACC

http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=169668866450381

In Dogs We Trust (John Sibley’s blog, which has articles about the ACC)

http://johnsibley.com/

Shelter Reform Action Committee (SRAC) Blog - Everything you ever wanted to know about the AC&C, but were afraid to ask.

http://shelterreform.org/blog1/

I Love New York(ers)
http://www.nathanwinograd.com/?p=8201

NYC reader Anne Davis recently exchanged pleasantries with the Mayor’s Alliance and shared in yesterday’s Open Thread [on the YesBiscuit blog].  I wanted to bring it up to make sure everyone sees it.  I think it gives valuable insight into some of the reasons why the NYC pound needlessly kills healthy/treatable pets.  Everything that follows is from Ms. Davis’ comment:

http://yesbiscuit.wordpress.com/2012/02/03/bringing-up-from-the-comments-6/

Stop the Killing – Why Everyone Should Join the Battle for No Kill New York

Today is Day 21 in the Battle for No Kill New York.  I’ve been participating since Day 1.  In addition to sending emails, I’ve been sharing each day’s action plan on my Facebook page.  I continue to post each night’s kill lists, and give updates on the statuses of the dogs. 

Last night while cooking dinner, a thought popped into my head.  Everyone – and I mean everyone – should be participating.  It doesn’t matter what state you live in.  It doesn’t matter if you will never be able to visit New York City.  It does matter whether or not you join the battle. 

NYC ACC is probably the worst shelter in the country.  The killing happens 7 days a week, 365 days a year.  At least 10,000 companion animals are killed each year.  That’s an average of 27 per day.  The director, executive staff, and employees are uncaring.  City officials and the ASPCA worked to defeat Oreo’s Law and pass Intro 655. 

‎"How will things change unless we make waves? How will we end the killing? How will we stop the abuse unless we expose it?" - Nathan J. Winograd, Courage & Cowardice in the Fight for a No Kill Nation

If we all join together and fight to reform NYC ACC, we will make a huge wave.  If you saw the movie Deep Impact, you probably remember the massive tidal wave washing over New York City (along with a sizeable portion of the east coast).  This is what we need to accomplish, and it will take all of us to do it.  We need to bury New York City and state officials under a massive wave of protests and demand for change.

So why should you join the fight?

If we can take down the very broken and out of control NYC ACC, then we can take down any other kill shelter in this country.

By participating, we gain experience.

By participating, we see what works and what doesn’t.

By participating, we gain a blueprint to use in other fights.

We should not look at this fight as being solely about New York.  We should look at it as just one of the battles we will encounter in our fight to save the shelter animals of our nation.  

To win the war, we all need to fight each and every battle.

The Battle for No Kill New York Has Begun

http://www.facebook.com/notes/no-kill-new-york/the-battle-for-no-kill-new-york-has-begun/281504478534222

Stop the Killing – Speak Out

http://angelpawanimaladvocacy.blogspot.com/2011/10/stop-killing-speak-out.html

Why I Am Fighting Against NYC ACC

http://angelpawanimaladvocacy.blogspot.com/2011/10/why-i-am-fighting-against-nyc-acc.html

Stop the Killing - Battle for No Kill New York Has Begun

I make no secret of how I feel about NYC ACC and what goes on there.  I alternate between disgust, horror and sadness – and ultimately seethe with anger.

A week ago, I put the ACC on a “wall of shame”, outlining a list of problems as well as giving a list of informational links. 

On October 4^th, No Kill New York launched their campaign to prepare for to prepare for 2012: The Year of No Kill New York.  This plan is 90 days of action to influence anyone who has a say in how New York City manages its homeless, lost or injured animals.

I don’t know what all the actions will be, but I do know at least some of it is simply writing letters or emails to city officials. 

If there is to be reform at the ACC, we need as many people as possible to join the fight.  Even if you do not live in New York City or state, you can participate by helping to spread the word and by writing emails or letters.

The campaign kicked off with the explanatory note The Battle for No Kill New York Has Begun.  It gives a brief overview of the plan, who will be targeted, and how to sign up for action alerts, as well as NKNY’s mission statement. 

If you want to receive the alerts to know how you can help, email nokill-newyork@optonline.net

Please join the fight. EVERYONE is needed to make this happen. There are NO excuses.  Everyone can take a few minutes to write a letter or email.

Links:

Petition: Reform the NYC ACC Now

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/reform-the-nyc-acc-now/

Sadness! Another Life Is Silenced before It Is Time!

http://www.bhrescue.com/?p=2614

Stop the Slaughter

http://stoptheslaughteratnycacc.yolasite.com/

Urgent Death Row Dogs

http://www.urgentdeathrowdogs.org

Stop the Killing – Wall of Shame: NYC ACC

http://angelpawanimaladvocacy.blogspot.com/2011/09/stop-killing-wall-of-shame-nyc-acc.html

Stop the Killing – Speak Out

http://angelpawanimaladvocacy.blogspot.com/2011/10/stop-killing-speak-out.html

Stop the Killing – Speak Out

‎"How will things change unless we make waves? How will we end the killing? How will we stop the abuse unless we expose it?" - Nathan J. Winograd

In his most recent blog post, Courage & Cowardice in the Fight for a No Kill Nation, Winograd talks about his experiences with those who wish to remain anonymous. 

While he did not put it into words, the underlying message is there - this is a war to reform our country’s shelter system and stop the killing of millions of companion animals, and, as unfortunate as it is, there will be casualties, primarily the animals we so desperately want to save.  We will lose some in order to save millions more

I hate the thought of losing more animals because of petty retaliation by shelters.  I hate that shelters use them as pawns to force people to shut up.  I hate that shelters manipulate people by yanking on their heartstrings.  But I hate the killing of millions of cats and dogs every year even more.  In shelter reform, there are only two choices – remain silent and watch the killings continue, or speak out knowing some will be lost in the effort to reform our shelter system.

Either choice will weigh heavy on our hearts.  Animals will die in shelters no matter which choice we make. 

Throughout history, those who have protested injustice have had to make the choice to be silent or to speak out.  They accepted the risks as the price of bringing justice and righting wrongs.  Millions have died, been incarcerated, been ostracized, been attacked, been injured, had their homes destroyed … all because of speaking out.

These people accepted the consequences of the American Civil Rights Movement, the fight to end Apartheid in South Africa, the attempt to derail Hitler’s genocide of Jews, the Tiananmen Square protests of 1989 where as many as 800 (perhaps more) protestors were killed in a single night, and many other social movements.

The difference here is that NO PERSON is in danger of being killed, jailed, etc because of speaking out against what is wrong at the shelters.  Volunteers may be dismissed.  Shelter employees may be fired.  Rescues may be banned from pulling.  Some may be called names or have their name dragged through the mud.  All of which are favorite tactics by the opposition of social movements when people dare to speak. But these retaliations do not kill or physically harm us.

We need the people in the know – the volunteers, shelter employees and rescues – to speak out for the animals.  Without this insider knowledge, protests against shelters become a he said – she said scenario.  The proof provided by insiders is invaluable in bringing about change.

BUT …

Every person who is an animal lover, and/or cares about what goes on in our nation’s shelters, and/or hates all the killing, and/or is aware of animal welfare issues, needs to speak out too.

Every day in my Facebook newsfeed, I see comments on posts, articles, and pictures complaining about what is happening.  Sometimes it’s about the shelters; sometimes it’s about abuse, neglect or cruelty.  They complain or otherwise voice their opinion, but my questions to these people are …

Did YOU do something?  Do you do ANYTHING?

Do you sign petitions?  Do you write your state senator(s) and representative(s) about animal welfare issues?  Do you write your city/town and county officials?  Do you write letters to the editor of a newspaper?  Do you speak out against the wrongs and speak up for the animals in any way? 

How many of you who read my post Wall of Shame: NYC ACC used the link to the contact form to speak out against the shelter and for the animals?  The link was right there – just click it to go to the form page.  The form is set up to send to every official who needs to be aware of what is happening at the ACC – no need to find email addresses.  You didn’t have to do the research into what is wrong – I provided a list and links.  All you had to do was type a note. 

If we remain silent, the animals will continue to be the ones who suffer and die.  We must face the truth of what is going on in our country and speak out.  We must bring awareness to those who have no idea what is happening.  We must act and exercise our right to inform our local, state and national leaders that we want change.  We must take every opportunity to speak out against injustice towards animals.

By not acting, we allow ‘the opposition’ to continue.  By not speaking out or taking action, we give tacit approval of what they do.  By remaining silent, we give them the power.    

We must tell the truth and speak out no matter our fears, no matter how much it hurts. 

Stop the Killing – Wall of Shame: NYC ACC

Every day, 7 days a week, New York City Animal Care & Control creates a nightly "kill list".   The only days a list is not created are those when the next day is a holiday, or because of major weather conditions, and the shelter will be closed.

In my watching of the kill lists, I've seen animals just days old and seniors of 12+ years. Animals killed because of a runny nose, a slight cough, a single sneeze. Animals killed because they didn't do well on their evaluation, mostly due to the stress and fear being in this shelter causes - especially those surrendered by the only family they've ever known.

NYCACC’s qualifications for the Wall of Shame:

·         Phone number is not listed

·         No one answers the phone – “keep trying” is the mantra

·         Must be a local adopter to put a hold on an animal

·         Must be a pre-approved New Hope rescue organization

·         Fired a New Hope department employee because she cared too much

·         Only about 20 percent of the dogs at AC&C are viewable for adoption at any given time

·         Failure to take detailed information about animals from owner surrenders

·         Rating system that gives ACC the power to deny an animal a chance at life

·         A director who tries to cover her incompetence and the issues with smokescreens and lies

·         Killing animals that have a rescue hold

·         Deplorable conditions including dogs wallowing in their own waste; bed sheets soaked and soiled; cages caked with filth; cat food mixed with kitty litter

·         Employees and volunteers threatened with termination if they make negative comments about the organization

·         A breeding ground for disease – a cold or kennel cough is a death warrant

·         Animals labeled as diseased or “bad” to justify killing them

·         Perfectly healthy and adoptable animals are killed

·         Failure to advertise and market animals for adoption

·         Volunteers terminated for speaking out

·         Suspended all new rescues that were recently approved

·         Animals do not receive needed medical care or medicine

·         Volunteers are asked to pay for the privilege and check their constitutional rights at the door

·         Fired an extremely dedicated volunteer who gave more than 750 hours of his time to help scared dogs open up plus countless hours at home writing about and advocating for them

Need another reason?  Take a look at this picture and read the note.

If you are as horrified, disgusted and angry as I am about NYCACC, use this contact form to send an email blast to the Mayor, NYC AC&C, City Council, etc.  

Please keep your comments polite and respectful.  Remember that you catch more flies with honey than with vinegar.  Not to mention that ‘impolite’ (to put it mildly) messages are often discarded and may actually cause them to not take us seriously.

Please help spread the word about NYCACC.  Change will not happen without awareness, and it will not happen without our speaking out.

Links:

What really happens at NYCACC

Petition has expired, but provides good info and links

Why is one shelter trying so hard to shut out the public?

Posting of each night's kill list:

http://www.facebook.com/Urgentdeathrowdogs (dogs)

http://www.facebook.com/PetsOnDeathRow (cats)

Just HOW Hard Can We Make it to Save a Dog’s Life?

The S*** Has Hit the Fan for NYC’s ACC

Why remove the Mayor/DOH from control over the AC&C?

THE HIDDEN DOGS OF THE NYC ACC

Cashing In, Killing More, and Erasing Laws - Response To This Weeks Press Release

Urgent's Response to ACC's New Placement Process

ACC Warning About Social Media... Should We be Honored Or Offended?!??!

New York City pound neglects, kills animals

NYCACC to Volunteers: Pay Up & Shut Up

Doggie death row - Insiders condemn shelter

Shelter Reform Action Committee's analysis on the 2011 audit of ACC