Voices Needed: Tell Gale Brewer and the NYC Council How They Can Save Lives at NYC ACC
The council says NYC ACC is in "crisis.” What will pols do about deadly pound conditions? As little as possible, if CM Gale Brewer is any indication.
The Scoop New York is a newsletter dedicated to companion animals and the New Yorkers who care for them, from Buffalo to Brooklyn. NYC ACC KILLS, published by TSNY, enumerates and memorializes adoptable cats and dogs who were nonetheless exterminated by Animal Care Centers of New York City.
Editor’s note: Be sure to keep scrolling to check out The Weekly Poop’s new “good news” section, featuring you and your pet(s)! Plus: Get TSNY schwag!
Headlines from Buffalo to Brooklyn
It’s Friday, May 17, 2024. This is The Weekly Poop.
This week, the New York City Council scheduled an oversight hearing on conditions at NYC animal control.
The June 18 health committee hearing is set to convene at City Hall chambers at 10 a.m. It is headed “Animal Care Centers and the Shelter Capacity Crisis.”
There is definitely a crisis at NYC ACC. And it’s one of the city’s own making.
In 2019, the non-profit that operates the pound (with putative oversight from the city health department) renewed its contract for an eye-gouging 34 years and $1.4 billion, which works out to $41 million and change per year. Presumably, both ACC and the city were satisfied with the terms of the deal, as it was signed by well-paid pound paper shufflers and by former Mayor Bill de Blasio, with the tacit approval of City Council Member Justin “Animal Welfare Advocate” Brannan. The council never voted on the contract; no public input was solicited.

If just a few years into its contract NYC ACC is strapped for cash — and why else, other than incompetence or negligence, should there be a “crisis” of any kind? — it’s because ACC and the city want it that way. So now the council will hold a hearing where advocates will raise the same issues that have plagued ACC since its inception, electeds will vomit the same empty platitudes and promises, and everyone will go home until they do it all again a few years (and thousands of dead dogs and cats) later.
Which brings us to municipal musical chairs champ Gale Brewer, now back on the council as UWS rep after being termed out as Manhattan borough president (elections, amirite?). Citizen ACC watchers say they approached Brewer over a year ago to investigate the pound’s reported abuse of dogs, namely the misuse of prescription drugs and other abuses including one that advocates have likened to vivisection. But other than sending ACC a boilerplate concern letter (to which ACC responded with boilerplate talking points), Brewer has refused to act.
We sent Brewer’s office a short list of questions about what she is doing and not doing to help save lives and mitigate misery at NYC ACC. We have yet to hear back. To be fair, there are a lot of weed shops to pose outside of.
All of this said, it is vitally important that advocates keep up the pressure. There’s no money in it. No prestige. It is time-consuming. And it is psychologically annihilating to watch as healthy, beautiful cats and dogs disappear into the ACC’s gaping maw. But the advos will keep at it. Because animals are this minute suffering and dying. Because if they don’t, no one will.
Please join them at the hearing if you can. If not, here’s how to submit your testimony.
Here’s the latest New York companion animal news:
Rockland County animal control is suing its former shelter operator for $5M for failing to take care of animals, among other alleged malfeasance.
How many animal “shelters” are pumping dogs and cats full of human prescription sleeping and pain pills? Oh look, it’s NYC ACC.
A Tioga County man was charged with aggravated cruelty for allegedly shooting a companion animal in the head.
The Columbia-Greene Humane Society’s low-cost animal clinic received $200,000 in grants, including some funds the ASPCA had that probably should have been CGHS’s in the first place.
Related: Do you know where your animal welfare donations actually go? You really should.
A New York Times editor has co-written a book about the animal welfare movement. Make of that what you will.
Five abandoned puppies were rescued from an interstate rest stop near Bedford, in Westchester, and need homes.
Do not click this link unless you are prepared to adopt Jessa.
Might NYC actually pivot to sane and humane rat control?
Strong Island Animal Rescue: name checks out.
Yes. thank you for asking. (jk. mostly), Or True Fact: Every dog is an emotional support dog.
Good news: The Westchester SPCA partnered with a hospital to help destress health care workers + promote adoptions.
And finally, give this motorcyclist a metal.
This week on The Scoop New York
Here Are the NY Pols Who Could Save Thousands of Lives a Year, If They Want It
They have to want it more than the $$ from "welfare" orgs that would rather continue killing than see the Shelter Animal Rescue Act become law.
Show Off Your Pet(s), Get Free Stuff
This is Harlow. Official inspector-detector (‘spector-’tector for short) at TSNY HQ, she was adopted in Sullivan County on Memorial Day 2021, when she was three years old. It was her blue eyes what done it.
Harlow is here to share the good news that she exists in this world. If you’d like to show off your companion animal(s) and tell your good news pet story in The Weekly Poop, please email a photo along with a paragraph or two about you and your pet(s) to editor@thescoopnewyork.com, with the subject line “good news.” Large file sizes preferred. And please include your mailing address, ‘cause if we run your story you’ll get complimentary TSNY schwag.
Harlow says Thank you, and please pass the peanut butter.
Food recalls
The FDA released no new pet food recalls this week.