13 Ignored Questions for Mayor Malik Evans' Rochester Animal Services
Up for reelection, Evans still doesn't want to talk about what goes on at the kill pound he's responsible for.
Headlines from Buffalo to Brooklyn
It’s April 4, 2025. This is The Weekly Poop.
This week, residents of Rochester are prepping for a public hearing on their city’s troubled kill pound, Rochester Animal Services.
The hearing — which is sponsored by three city council members, including one who will face incumbent Mayor Malik Evans in the June Democratic primary — comes six months after an RAS staffer-turned-whistleblower posted video that showed dogs in feces-covered kennels at the facility.
Weeks before that video was taken, the Evans administration brought in Staci Papadoplos as RAS’ first new director in 25 years.
Any lingering notions that a new director might turn things around were likely Memorexed in February, when Papadoplos hosted a town hall where she claimed public concern for the animals in RAS’ care “wasn't really based in any truth or anything that actually was happening at the shelter.”
Folk who put kittens and puppies to death for money must always be encouraged to speak their truth.
To help out, multiple times last fall The Scoop New York queried Mayor Evans and his parks commissioner, Shirley Green, the staffer charged with managing RAS, about the whistleblower video and claims of inhumane treatment of cats and dogs at the “shelter.”
Presented with an opportunity to educate the masses on what really goes on at Rochester Animal Services, Evans and Green took a pass. Six months later, they’re still not talking.
Yesterday The Scoop New York emailed Evans, Green and Papadoplos a fresh batch of questions — a baker’s dozen, in fact — ahead of next week’s hearing.
We asked if it’s true that Rochester Animal Services kills cats and dogs without ever offering them for adoption, and if so, how many.
We asked for confirmation that RAS fired its community outreach coordinator and, if true, who currently handles those duties, which are critical to facilitating adoptions.
We asked for confirmation that RAS/Green/Evans bans or threatens to ban volunteers who raise concerns about how animals are treated at RAS.
We asked for confirmation that RAS has not had a veterinarian on staff for close to a year and, if so, how City Hall explains leaving such an important position unstaffed.
And because we got word that RAS put to death eight adoptable dogs last Friday, we asked how many cats and dogs RAS has exterminated in 2025, and how those figures compare to killings through the first quarter of 2024.
We again got no answers about the horrors animals face at RAS. It will be harder for Evans and company to blow off questions from locals in the flesh, assuming the administration is represented at the meeting.
The hearing will be held next Wednesday, April 9, at City Hall, 30 Church Street, at 7 p.m. If you plan to speak, register here or at 585-428-7538.
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Here’s the latest New York companion animal news:
The founder of a Medford cat sanctuary and dozens of cats were killed in a Monday fire. Volunteers are working to ensure the safety of the surviving animals.
It was a big week for New York City Mayor Eric Adams, who declared his intent to seek reelection as an independent after a judge dismissed the federal case against him with prejudice (i.e. no takebacksies).
Related: THE CITY has a snapshot of a NYC mayor’s race that may be decided in November rather than the June Democratic primary.
Meanwhile, Governor Kathy Hochul is doing that thing where she picks the silliest hill she can find and proceeds to die on it.
Any New York City pols out there clueless enough to take on bodega cats? Didn’t think so.
NYPD says it is reviewing the contract of its horse vet — which was approved by the city health department, because of course it was — after reports that the vet has a history of fines dating to his time working for a race track.
NYPD rescued a Maltese from the East River and now the seemingly abandoned dog, who was not micro-chipped, needs saving from ACC.
Three birds died and two cats were injured when a fire destroyed a Bronx animal hospital.
Monroe County (where Rochester is) announced dates when it will provide free rabies shots for pets this year. (The first clinic was today; the last is scheduled for October.)
Finally, godspeed Niko and Greg.
Adoptables
NYC ACC will host mobile adoption events in Manhattan and Queens this weekend.
Sassafras (Sassy for short), pictured, is 14 years old and waiting for you at Whiskers Animal Benevolent League in Albany.
Marley, also pictured, was given up by his people at age 10. He is available now at Broome County Dog Shelter.
Find New York adoptables near you on Dogs in Danger and Adopt a Pet.
The Scoop New York attempts to confirm that animals are still available before we feature them in The Weekly Poop. If an animal you see here has already found a home, consider asking about other available adoptables.
Food recalls
The FDA announced one pet food recall this week:
Supercan pig ear slivers (salmonella)
Check here for info on earlier pet food recalls.