AC&C would like to clarify the false & misleading information circulating on the internet:
LOW COST SPAY/NEUTER SERVICES ARE NOT REDUCED Not only does AC&C offer low cost spay & neuter services EVERY Monday in the Bronx and EVERY Thursday in Brooklyn, we have added one Sunday a month for Tom Cats, which is a free service to the public.
NEW HOPE PARTNERSHIPS
AC&C works with over 200 rescue groups daily. 38 Groups were added in 2007 & 12 added to date in 2008. AC&C continues to actively recruit and add New Hope Partners. There are only a few groups suspended. A group is only suspended after numerous complaints are received from numerous sources about the safety and wellbeing of the animals. This is followed by a thorough investigation conduced by a team of individuals to determine if the complaints are valid. Once complaints are found to be valid, AC&C tries to work through the issues. If the group is cooperative, the suspension is released. If the group does not seek to improve operations with the cooperation of AC&C, the group will continue to be suspended.
INTAKE & EUTHANASIA
Despite the fact our intake has increased 9.45% Year to Date as of May 18, 2008, our Euthanasia has decreased 6.9 % - Year to Date as of May 18, 2008. AC&C has achieved the lowest euthanasia rate in NYC history.
EMPLOYEES PROMOTIONS
AC&C has promoted over 20 employees internally since October 2007. AC&C have implemented a performance-based culture based on results achieved, timelines, etc. This allows employees who perform well to be recognized and rewarded. Turnover has been consistent over the last several years.
BROOKLYN CAGE SPACE
Brooklyn Care Center kennels were recently installed. They have not cut down on space. In fact AC&C has added capacity by adding fulltime transporters on our payroll to transport animals free of charge to the rescue groups. This has reduced the time the animals spend in the shelter waiting for the rescue group to pick them up thereby increasing cage space. This was never done before.
MEDICAL IMPROVEMENTS
- Use of Lysine (cats) & B12 (dogs) to increase the animals immune system.
- Currently conducting a Cornell study which is assisting to identify the strains of Upper Respiratory Infections in dogs. This will help in actively managing disease control.
CRUELTY INVESTIGATIONS
- Veterinarians and staff training with the ASPCA to identify and strengthen potential animal cruelty cases.
NEW POSITIONS CREATED
- Six Canine Enrichment/Dog Walker positions were created to ensure all dogs are walked each day. The exercise (as well as toys and blankets) lessens the stress and boredom of being in a cage/kennel, reduces behavioral problems, and makes them more adoptable. Five Transporter positions were created to deliver animals to New Hope Partners free of charge, which reduces the amount of time the animals are in our shelters. This also creates additional space for newly arriving animals.
- Two Quality Control personnel were appointed to identify operational deficiencies and make recommendations for improvement.
- Head Veterinarians were appointed at each shelter to ensure every animal receives quality medical care.
- Added two behavior evaluator positions to ensure all adoptable dogs are behaviorally evaluated before being placed in a permanent home.
- Added the New Hope Specialist, who oversees all New Hope activity.
- Added a third New Hope Liaison at each Care Center to help to get even more animals into quality rescue groups.
- Hired four part-time adoption counselors and trained thirty new volunteers to provide one-on-one customer service for potential adopters in order to provide excellent customer.
CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS
- The Staten Island Care Center is undergoing capital improvements and a surgery suite is being created thanks to Staten Island Borough President James Molinaro.
- The Manhattan Care Center will undergoing a capital project which will replace the Heating Ventilation & Air Condition Unit. This will isolate and improve the quality of air for the animals.
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