NYC ACC in Queens Is Still NYC ACC
NYC ACC in Queens Is Still NYC ACC
Improvements to animal living conditions at ACC are welcome and long overdue. But they won't stop the killings.
Headlines from Buffalo to Brooklyn
It’s August 2, 2024. This is The Weekly Poop.
This week, the entity currently known as Animal Care Centers of New York City opened its first location in Queens. Maybe you heard.
I did not read all the media coverage of the big reveal. What I saw, though, were the usual ACC talking points, transcribed — per usual — by well-meaning but uncritical journalists. Over and over.
I won’t go into the talking points again, save one: the claim that ACC’s problems are in part caused by New Yorkers who are surrendering more animals than they adopt.
We know that, since the pandemic, ACC is taking in half the number of animals as in years prior. So the supply argument is bogus on its face.
As for demand, have a look:
There was a time, before the pandemic, that ACC facilities were open for adoptions from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. every day. So not only is ACC taking in far fewer animals than it once did, it is open to the public 14 fewer hours per week.
During those abbreviated open hours, New Yorkers who attempt to engage ACC could run into any number of obstacles, like being unable to raise ACC on the phone, or being forced to stand outside in the rain to fill out an adoption application. ACC inaccessibility is a choice made by ACC management, as are indifference and hostility toward the public.
It’s overlooked by access media because obeisance to official sources is what access media does, but the sad fact is ACC has been a horror show since its founding in the 1990s. We could all weep for joy (and some of us just might) that companion animals will have more tolerable living conditions during their time at ACC Queens. However, retractable roof notwithstanding, with room for just 72 dogs and 110 cats, how long before the shine wears off and the Queens location becomes another ACC death house?
“Animal advocates should be thrilled that Queens now has a shelter,” says Esther Koslow of the Shelter Reform Action Committee. “And not just any shelter, but a claimed state-of-the-art animal shelter.”
But Koslow notes that larger cages for dogs means fewer can be humanely housed. ACC made an effort to secure foster placements for big dogs in Brooklyn, where many of ACC Queens’ first occupants came from, but did not announce if it was successful, Koslow said. Without an adequate number of fosters, dogs and cats will continue to be crammed into ACC’s other facilities.
“Those animals able to claim a coveted spot in the Queens shelter will be lucky indeed,” says Koslow.
And those who don’t will continue to be subjected to the hellish conditions ACC has been known for for three decades.
“The corrupt managers of the New York City pound routinely kill thousands of perfectly healthy dogs and cats every year, simply because it’s easier for uncaring bureaucrats than adopting them,” said NYC no kill advocate Andrew Weprin, via email. “Most of these victims are never given a chance at adoption or rescue.”
Weprin continues:
They’re now killing one out of every three dogs and nearly one out of every five cats. They kill puppies; they kill whole litters of kittens in utero; they spay-neuter dogs before killing them; they kill animals even when they have homes to go to and rescues willing to save them. So given that level of depravity, we have every reason to believe that the addition of a new pound in Queens will simply result in more animals being exterminated in more places, and even more pain for those of us who care deeply about these victims. NYC needs No Kill reform, not another kill pound.
The Scoop New York will have more on ACC Queens and its impact, or lack thereof, in the coming weeks and months. In the meantime, reports say, “The new Queens location is already over its capacity for dogs.”
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Here’s the latest New York companion animal news:
MISSING: A kitten named Newton was reportedly stolen from a rescue in Hamburg, and there’s a reward for his safe return.
Hempstead is suing a supposed rescue operation in Florida to get back four homeless dogs the city sent south for training, as officials now believe the dogs are in danger — a situation locals have been warning them about for months.
By popular demand (literally), Elmira officials say they’re planning to upgrade that city’s animal control facility.
The situation for homeless companion animals in Syracuse is just as dire as it was last week.
Good news: Dozens of cats and dogs were homed at a Brooklyn adoption event last weekend.
If you live in NYC and would like to adopt a snake, here’s the lowdown on what is and isn’t legal.
Timothy’s story is beautiful and heart-rending — and thankfully, it seems, PETA didn’t abduct and kill him.
Related: After a long recovery from a long fall, Beverley reportedly escaped from ASPCA with her life, after poor Oreo wasn’t so lucky.
A facility in New Jersey is recruiting volunteers to take dogs on field trips.
Westchester SPCA is working with health care offices to bring in dogs to reduce stress among personnel.
Helper dogs are helping kids at a Bronx day camp.
Finally, a little over 1 percent of registered dogs in NYC are named Luna, edging out Bella for the top spot.
New York adoptables
Aluminium, Samarium and Praseodynium are three of the 150 bunnies who need homes as their shelter, in East Syracuse, is shutting down.
Moses is in Brooklyn
Scooby is in Syracuse
River, Valley and Rain are in the hamlet of Carmel in Putnam County
Food recalls
The FDA issued no new pet food recalls this week. Check here for info on earlier recalls.