SAVE LIVES OF PETS AT NYC'S ANIMAL CARE & CONTROL

"THERE IS NO HOLIDAY FOR THE DESTRUCTION OF NYC PETS AT THE AC&C CENTER DUE TO OVERCROWDING, CUTS IN FUNDING OVER THE PAST 3 YEARS, AND THE APATHY OF THE MANAGEMENT(S) OF THE DEPT. OF HEALTH, BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE ANIMAL CARE & CONTROL CENTER AS WELL AS THE MAYOR OF NYC AND THE RESPONSIBLE COUNCILPEOPLE.  TWO OF THE FIVE SHELTERS CONTRACTED TO BE BUILT SINCE 2000 HAVE YET TO BE FUNDED BY THE DOH CAUSING OVERCROWDING AND DISEASE IN THE EXISTENT DEPLORABLY-MAINTAINED THREE SHELTERS WHICH INTURN RESULTS IN THE DESTRUCTION OF PETS EVERY DAY, EVERY NIGHT,  & THE  DAY AFTER INCLUDING WEEKENDS & HOLIDAYS!  THE CENTER LACKS QUALIFIED ANIMAL EVALUATORS/BEHAVIORALISTS RESULTING IN MISLABELING OF PETS ENSURING THEIR PROMPT DESTRUCTION.   THERE ARE NO MEDICAL/VETERINARY SERVICES FOR INJURED PETS, NO DOG WALKERS, NO QUALIFIED PERSONNEL, BUT THERE ARE INADEQUATE (SMALL) CAGES, INADEQUATE FOOD/SUSTENANCE, FECES, URINE,  AND ABOMINABLE RED TAPE BOGGING DOWN THEIR SO-CALLED 'ADOPTION PROCESS.'  THEY WOULD RATHER DESTROY A PET THAN LET IT BE ADOPTED.   THIS IS A VERY HIGH-KILL SHELTER.  PLEASE SIGN PETITION TO HELP SAVE A PET'S LIFE BY TELLING MAYOR BLOOMBERG TO: 1) ADEQUATELY FUND THESE CENTERS, NOT AT $.85/PET, BUT AT THE NATIONAL RECOMMENDED $4-$7/PET REQUIRED TO CARE FOR THEM; 2) HIRE QUALIFIED PERSONNEL TO EVALUATE & REHABILITATE THE PETS; 3) PROVIDE ON-SITE VETERINARY/MEDICAL SERVICES AT EACH CENTER; 4) REFURBISH THE EXISTENT UNSANITARY FACILITIES INTO SPACIOUS, CLEAN, AND SANITARY PREMISES; 5) REINSTITUE THE DOG WALKER PROGRAM; 6) REINSTATE AND MAN DIRECT PHONE LINES FOR THE PUBLIC AND RESCUE GROUPS TO REACH EACH CENTER IMMEDIATELY; AND 7) BUILD THE TWO CONTRACTED-FOR SHELTERS (IN QUEENS AND THE BRONX) WHICH ARE LONG OVERDUE.%u201D

We the undersigned respectfully bring to your attention the unconscionable practices taking place at the Animal Care and Control (AC&C) of New York City pounds and would greatly appreciate your intercedence on behalf of our companions in New York City.  Most of these we understand are caused by the inadequate funds provided to them, i.e. budget cuts of $434,000 in 2009, $317,000 in 2010, and $457.000 this year by the Board of Health even though New York City allocates the lowest per capita in the nation for its animal care and control responsibilities; a paltry $.85 per capita whereas the national HUMANE recommendation is $4-$7 per capita in order to provide appropriate service and despite the $1 million donated to the Mayor's Alliance for animal welfare in 2011.  The Department of Health must adequately fund these shelters.

The homeless pets of NYC continue to suffer as they are jammed into contagion-ridden former factories serving as pounds, and mostly every one of them gets sick from diseases they catch at these pounds.  Yet, there is no provision for veterinary or medical services at any of these pounds and the two contracted pounds for Queens and the Bronx have yet to be built.   Pets are euthanized daily including holidays and weekends due to unqualified evaluations of their temperament or just because their hold time is up. Owner-surrendered pets can be euthanized the next day: there is NO HOLD period for them.

Bureaucratic red tape and irrational rules and regulations hinder speedy adoptions which result in the destruction of the pets entrusted to their care.  Untrained and uncertified staff members are able to impose their best guess about the behavior of a companion, and do so in the stressful environment of an AC&C pound.  This ignorance leads to prospective pets being mislabeled and euthanized!  There are still dogs who are euthanized for TEMPER based solely on  unqualified assessment of a veterinary technician.

The AC&C must: 1) hire qualified temperament evaluators/behaviorists for both dogs and cats; 2) hire veterinarians to man each center and treat its residents humanely; 3) Simplify their adoption procedures; 4) Man their phones in order to allow rescue groups and the public to reach them immediately; 5) sanitize their facilities; 6) feed and hydrate their residents; and 7) reinstate their dog walking program.

All of the above can be remedied with the proper funding from the DOH and the hiring of qualified personnel.

Your consideration of the above is greatly appreciated.

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