Current Cuties at ACC

Here are some gorgeous (and sometimes baby!) faces from the URGENT folder that I couldn't help but share with you all:

How could you not wanna scoop up little 4 month old Pal?

4 month old Amber is a beauty!!

Teeny tiny 1 year old Lexie loooves belly rubs

1 and a half year old Hazel who gives kisses through the bars

3 year old Chloe is a little shy but loves to gives kisses

3 year old Wanda loves to play ball and wag her tail

"4" month old Scrappy (my guess is he's about 2-3 months)

 

 

 

7 month olf Betty loves walks and warm laps

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Drug use at ACC?

Check out this post by Urgent Part 2- Apparently ACC Director Julie Bank has been notified of drug use by her employees (employees who have in the past made life-ending mistakes by putting the wrong dogs to sleep!) and has yet to do anything about it!
Here's to hoping this outrage makes it on the news. The staff at ACC is already bad enough as it is, but for no one to care whether these mistakes happen (because they're all pittie strays anyway, right?), and for no one to seek out to correct these problems, is a real shame. I wonder how they would respond if a purbred dog was put to sleep days after arriving before its owners could find it, rather than just another stray? Every dog at ACC deserves a chance, and these low-life staff members are holding them back from that chance to survive.

Incompetence Running Rampant At NYCACC - PART 4 - Is Drug Use In Shelters Being Ignored?!?

by Urgent PART 2 on Wednesday, December 7, 2011 at 11:41am

Animal Care & Control of NYC is a place where dedicated volunteers and employees are fired for any attempt at all to blow the whistle on widespread negligence and neglect, or even just those that work too hard to get animals rescued.  In the past year alone, employees like Emily Tanen and unpaid volunteers like Rita Bar-Or and Jeff Latzer have been fired for little or no reason at all, with no thought given to the effect their absence would have on the care of shelter animals.

But what about employees who are part of the problem?  Shelter employees that get high at work, or come to work intoxicated while exhibiting disdain for the animals in their care?  Anyone who spends enough time at the shelter becomes very familiar with these people, but what is more shocking is that these people are in fact embraced by the administration.  Why would that be?  Because Julie Bank prizes a very certain quality in the staff she maintains: cold, heartless contempt for any notion of animal welfare.  As long as these people are not sticking their necks out for better care of the animals, all other issues of professionalism, responsibility and dedication do not matter; they will always have a job at ACC if animals matter as little to them as they do to Park Place management.

Urgent has been contacted by numerous rescue groups, adopters, volunteers and even a few staff about the condoned negligence that perpetuates in the mismanaged ACC shelter system.  We were also recently contacted by a concerned citizen of East Harlem who tried to do something about it.  This person (who for obvious reasons insists on anonymity) had inside knowledge of drug use going on at the Manhattan ACC, and even knew who was supplying it to employees. He spoke up about it to shelter administration, and like every volunteer or staff or rescuer who writes emails to shelter management with concerns about shelter animal treatment, he was ignored.  He even tried again, this time including every elected official whose email he could find.


---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: * *
Date: Mon, Jun 27, 2011 at 10:10 PM
Subject: Your last chance before I go on TV about DRUGS AT THE HARLEM SHELTER
To: jbank@nycacc.org, mbloomberg@cityhall.nyc.gov, info@animalalliancenyc.org, info@nycacc.org, rgentles@nycacc.org, sjaneczko@nycacc.org, TFarley@health.nyc.gov, bbdoniger@yahoo.com, KellnerM@assembly.state.ny.us, Patrick.Nolan@us.penguingroup.com, quinn@council.nyc.ny.us, Adrian.Benepe@parks.nyc.gov, commaffairs@nypd.org


Dear Julie Banks,

Why didnt you respond to my email?  It was a very important email about 4 workers at the Harlem shelter who do drugs, and none of you bothered to respond to me.  Do you only respond to white people with lawyers?  You think since I live in the neighborhood where your shelter is that I don't matter as much?

I gave you a list of four people that work in your medical office that use drugs even though theyre supposed to be saving animals. (I copied it at the bottom of this email)  Doesnt that matter to you?  Since I wrote that to you, I read about your shelter on the facebook, and I saw all the shitty things you been doing instead, like killing the wrong dogs and firing your best worker. Why dont you fire the people that are high at work instead?  Two girls on that list I sent you were even talking shit about how proud they was to smoke weed during work!!!  Dont believe me?

If you dont answer this email and drug test these people, i'm gonna get this up on the internet on that Urgent website.  Trust me, you dont want that.  And remember like i said, if you tell them even a half hour before that your gonna test them, theyll pass, and go on being high treating dogs.

This is your last chance julie banks.  Next time you hear from me i'll be on channel 5


---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: * *
Date: Sat, May 7, 2011 at 12:31 PM
Subject: HARLEM ANIMAL SHELTER WORKERS USING DRUGS
To: mbloomberg@cityhall.nyc.gov, info@animalalliancenyc.org, info@nycacc.org, jbank@nycacc.org


Dear Animal Care and Control,
I know for a fact that these four people work in the harlem medical department, and all use drugs all the time.  Sometimes they even use at work. You need to drug-test them right now, because theyre supposed to be helping the animals, and they cant do that if theyre high!  How do I know this?  I know the guy who sells to them.  I promise you, if you give them a drug test like all employees should get, and you dont let them know first, theyll fail. If you tell them even a half hour before, theyll pass (I've done it for jobs before, all you need is a drink from gnc).  But doing that when your supposed to save animals is just wrong.
Trust me, i'm not joking with you.  Don't put the animals at risk any longer!  And if this gets out and people know the vet tex are high, it will look very bad for nyc.
There names are:

xxxxxxxx


And still -- nothing.  The people he implicates are still at the shelter putting animals in danger, including one role of particular importance: a New Hope rescue liaison.  The unanswered emails from the whistleblower also names a shelter behaviorist, a lead vet tech assistant, and a vet assistant. 

The biggest mystery here is why the shelter does not follow through on its pre-existing drug policy of random drug tests, and mandatory testing after a bite incident.  A shelter staff source tells us that the New Hope rescue liaison was bitten last year, but bragged about never being tested or she surely would have failed.  A second source from the shelter staff sent us the attached photo of drug paraphernalia found in the shelter backyard, with a note explaining that it was common sight at ACC.



So Julie Bank, maybe you'll answer Urgent instead: how could you ignore these emails and continue to put the animals' lives in the care of openly irresponsible and "distracted" people?  Numerous staff named in these emails work in the medical department, and the Manhattan shelter is notorious for its rampant medical "mistakes" that leave dogs, cats and kittens found stiff in their cages for lack of care.  The homeless animals of NYC deserve better than this, and the citizens of NYC deserve oversight into who their tax dollars employ.

The NYC Govt needs to know that you are outraged. Please go to this link for contact information:
http://www.urgentdeathrowdogs.org/how-you-can-help/how-togroup1/act.html

Also, The New York State Dept of Health (not the NYC DoH) and the DEA would both be appropriate avenues to explore for complaints due to the involvement of controlled (Scheduled) substances. Those performing euthanasia MUST be registered with the New York State Dept. of Health to handle/administer scheduled drugs (see Section 80.134 of Title 10 regulations).

"The Department of State is committed to maintaining the integrity and competence of the licensees within its jurisdiction. Should a member of the public believe that a licensee has acted in an untrustworthy or incompetent manner, he or she may file a complaint with the Department's Division of Licensing Services. The complaint will be reviewed and an investigation will be commenced to determine whether the licensee should be disciplined. Both the licensee and the complainant are kept apprised of the proceedings.

A licensee who is found to be in violation of the law is subject to reprimand, fine, suspension or revocation."

A copy of the complaint form can be found here:
http://www.dos.ny.gov/licensing/complaint.html


Coming Soon - Part 5 - You won't want to miss it...

Starved, Neglected and Alone...

For some reason, the most abused animals in America are pit bulls.
If you are on the East Coast, and have room and time to nurse this guy back to health, please consider fostering/adopting. He will be pulled by Amsterdog if you step up!

Weight: only 31 pounds, I'm going to guess this guy will put on 15 more pounds if not 25 in the next few months. Bruno was only 45 pounds when we got him, he's now 60!

Behavior: Got stiff when approached while gulping food, assessor notes: needs reassessment at normal weight, but Roko got sick with Kennel Cough first. He doesn't seem to like other dogs at the moment, but loves people.

Has $100 in pledges already. Click here to leave a comment on his thread.

Another boy being destroyed today who I can't ignore is this sweetie- Skye. He is neutered but has a bad skin rash. Look at those sweet eyes!

Save a Life... Change your own.

I wish they could all get home, but it is so inspiring to see that so many have found happiness- snuggling up on couches, wearing new collars, and packing on the much needed pounds.

When you rescue one of these dogs, your life changes forever- you know what it means to give life and to receive love, trust and loyalty in return.

Save a life today (and forever change your own)-visit Urgent Part 2 on facebook.

Also, please sign this petition to force the NYC - DOH to build the shelters they were court-ordered to years ago. Read more about it here.

Pittie of the Week: Stella/Sally

Stella/Sally

Stella (Sally at the shelter) is a baby, only six months old. She wondered away from home and was brought into Animal Care and Control last Saturday (July 2nd). She was rated Mild during her behavior test, but caught a cold and was set to be euthanized today. Click here to read more.

Luckily, someone matched her photo with that of a missing dog on Craigslist and called the family- only to find out they now didn't want her back.

Poor Stella must be so confused about her present circumstances- even though luckily she has no idea how close to death she really is. 
If she is not adopted, she will surely be on the euthanasia list again tomorrow and may end up like her almost-twins - Sally and Nina (pictured here) who were put to sleep for having colds in the last two weeks.

(Usually I post dogs that have already been rescued and are waiting for homes on Pittie of the week- but this little 4-6 month old sweet heart caught my attention. )

They look so much like Bruno- who I kiss goodnight each night- thankful that he is with me. It is so sad to me that they can't have all the life-long happiness he will enjoy. Sally is too young to die- please save her!
I promise, when you adopt a shelter pittie like Stella or Bruno-- you won't be disappointed!

UPDATE!
Sally was rescued by ReeFuge Animal Rescue! Here she is leaving the shelter and is at a foster home on the upper east side! If you are interested in adopting her, please contact ReeFuge on facebook (link above.)

A Not-So-Public ACC Board Meeting Prompts me to feel Grateful...

As I sit here on my couch with Winnie and Bruno on either side of me, as they try to avoid the heat by laying as still as possible, I am so grateful that neither of them ever have to live at the mercy of cruel and negligent people ever again.

Unfortunately, many animals in New York City are surrendered to Animal Care & Control by their owners who are moving to public housing, who are going away on a military deployment, or who can't pay for their medical costs-- only to find that they have a very slim chance of finding a new home and family. The end comes after what was once a family dog is reduced to a depressed and fearful dog- sick from kennel cough and living in its own feces- is killed by a needle in the arm by a brusque stranger.

This is not unusual-any animal advocate following what is happening in New York City- a city I am furious I pay taxes to- knows that this is not an uncommon story. Dogs have only a few days before they are sick and are placed in the sick-ward, up for "disease-euth." We all know that the images of empty water bowls and filthy blankets are all too common--

(Read more about the filthy conditions in my blog post here.)

We all know that reputable shelters that can attract volunteers do not operate this way. (Animal Haven in Soho for example has more volunteers than it can accommodate and therefore, there are walks almost every hour for the dogs and no outbreaks of kennel cough or any other shelter-borne illnesses.)

Today at 3 pm, Animal Care and Control had a Public Board Meeting at 125 Worth Street. A crowd of about 50 people showed up to protest before the meeting, but were never allowed in. What is worse- a reporter from the press arrived 15 minutes early, only to be told the meeting was full and was denied access. While waiting outside, I heard from one lucky observer that the room was in fact- not full- and that the room chosen was too small to accommodate the amount of public interest.

In fact, some advocates in the crowd had come from as far away as Boston to hear Ms. Bank (executive director of the AC&C) herself explain the recent mistakes, errors, and euth statistics, as well as the recent causeless firing of employee Emily Tanen. ( See the video at the bottom for more info)

In addition, it is clear that the organization is understaffed- No time is given to determine a dog's breed-- all dogs with a square-ish head whether 100 lbs or 15 are labeled pit mixes, shutting out potential breed-specific adopters and rescues who may be looking for a boxer-mix or a lab-mix or a bull-terrier.

For example, Steven is clearly an American Bulldog, but the uneducated staffer quickly labeled him a pit-bull mix:

And it couldn't be more obvious that Sully is a Bull terrier, but again, they labeled him a pit bull mix.

If they can't even identify breeds- how are they going to find them homes??
In addition, they show their lack of care by giving the same names over and over-- Star, Diamond, Bruno, Boy, Nice, and Linda among them. They are too busy and careless to fix typos, like this poor boy- who may die named "Rexz"...

...or this one-- "Rubdy" clearly a quickly-typed Rudy...

Recently, there have been a number of animals simply named "Dog" (One is below.)

(Yes, I am serious... they named this scared little guy "Dog")

Unfortunately, change feels far away--even as so many are demanding more taxes and resources go to the No-Kill cause. I am sympathetic to the idea that AC&C is cash-strapped - but a good charity/ a good city office with the right intentions explains that they need all the help they can get- and in the face of criticism, ask for help. This Board has been heralding its successes while shutting out opposing views. Firing Emily Tanen for being out-spoken, hiding the sick-ward so rescues can only view sick animals while accompanied by a AC&C employee, and continuing to say that no healthy animal is being euthanized- is proof that Ms. Bank and the rest of the board are running from the problem. By turning away from criticism, they alienate their donation & volunteer base even more. Rather than explain that they need more money, more space, more time, more help-- they bury their heads even deeper in the sand.

It is a sad day for the animals that lose their lives every day- adoptable animals that could recover in 10 short days from kennel cough (like Bruno did)- dogs like Charlie, a 6 month old 19 lb Pit mix who will miss out on all the kisses, hugs, games of fetch and snacks under the table that life had in store for her-- just because she had a curable cough....

I am so glad I got Bruno out of there just in the nick of time.

See Minutes and Video from AC&C's last board meeting here.

AC&C - Double standards for publicity

Why is it that cruelty cases always find homes? So many healthy, otherwise happy dogs, die in the shelter every single day because they have a treatable cold- but when a dog like Ella comes along, as the news caster says "I know of so many people who are going to want that dog."



Unfortunately, the AC&C has been able to use this case to showcase their "rescue efforts" -- that they are rehabilitating this dog and she will be available for adoption in a few weeks.

Why do they spend time and money on Ella (who was thrown away in the garbage - like Patrick a couple months ago) when they are willing to put little Lucky & Miggy to sleep for being sick???

 

Luckily, little Lucky & Miggy were saved by rescue groups (Lucky is at In Our Hands & Miggy is @ Post Pets)- but not thanks to Animal Care & Control. It is so sad that they are willing to treat dogs differently when they see the potential to raise money and get positive press. They should be working tireslessly to make sure every single dog- emaciated or not, goes home.

Animal Abuse & Neglect - Worse than you thought.

You've all see the Sarah McLachlan commercials raising money for the ASPCA (which alone raises 30,000,000$ a year for the organization), but the more you take time to learn about what is happening to animals in the shelter system and in back yards and basements across the U.S. is even worse than the saddest things shown in the commercial.


Just take a look at these emaciated dogs- living at Animal Care & Control RIGHT NOW, desperate for food and comfort, but likely only to catch a bad cold and be put to sleep. Their owners should be arrested for neglect and allowing their dogs to wither away.

Miggy (24 lbs)

 

Lucky (25 lbs)

Luckily, many abused and emaciated dogs do find rescue (like little Eloise, 10 months old and only 18 lbs)....

because of the extremeity of their conditions, however, these are just a few who did not make it out and were killed by the ACC before given a chance.

Bait dogs and chained dogs often fare far worse. Many of you have heard of Sprout- a dog used by dog-fighters for practice for the others. He was saved and now is looking like 100%.

Before:

 

After:

Tofu was another bait-dog recently saved from ACC:

Thanks to diligent rescuers, he is looking better already:

However, there are still brutal people in this world who own dogs despite their lack of care and consideration for animals as living beings. The most horrifying example of this that I have EVER seen is the story of Pheonix. He was chained in a back yard with no shelter from the 100 degree heat and beating sun. He survived to be rescued two days after his companion (also chained) died. He was covered in flies and maggots as the flesh on his back rotted away.

Amazingly, he was rescued- never again will he have to hide his water and save it for later as he does in this video, which has already brought me to tears.

I warn you, it is EXTREMELY hard to watch, but in my opinion- very much worth it because it inspires me to do more for abused animals.

I am so grateful for rescue groups that take on these hard cases, but so disheartened by the sorts of people that would allow animals to live and die like this. Visit Pheonix's facebook page to watch his progress.

Learn more about animal cruelty and what you can do, here.

A MUST READ

Please take 15 minutes out of your busy days to read this important article by No-Kill advocate, Nathan Winograd.

He tells the story of Ginger, a dog that was given a full-term abortion at NYC Animal Care & Control. Each of her puppies were killed by lethal injection after they were removed and their lives and deaths were never recorded. Ginger proceeded to bleed internally and almost died. (read more about Ginger, here.)

There are dozens of other stories of cruelty, neglect, needless killing and "mistakes" that cost lives of many animals. Rather than embracing social media and thousands willing to help, the ACC system has fired well-meaning employees to squash dissent.

It is so shameful that one of the largest, most wealthy, most animal-friendly cities on earth cannot sustain a No-Kill shelter system.

Today is a Animal Care & Control Board Meeting. Unfortunately, it is at 2pm so no one who works regular hours can attend. If you are able to- please consider going and make your presence a message to the Department of Health.

Location: DOH offices, 125 Worth Street, 3rd Floor NY, NY

Time: ‎2:00PM Tuesday, June 21st

Pittie of the week: Mr. Pink

So excited to unviel my new Friday segment: Pittie of the week!

Each Friday I'll share with you a dog (who I wish I could take home with me!) who needs a temporary ot permanent home.

Through this I'll be able to share with you many of the amazing organizations that rescue pit bulls from horrible situations and give them a second chance. I won't be posting animal care & control pitties because I feel that through the amazing work on the fans on the Urgent facebook page, those dogs get a lot of face-time each day.

I want to highlight the dogs that have been rescued (in many cases through the Urgent Page) but may have been forgotten while they wait in temporary situations (sometimes boarding) for foster homes or permanent homes.

Our first Pittie/Bully of the week is.... (drummm roll please...)

Mr. Pink!

Mister Pink- a five year old American Bulldog mix was found in an abandoned apartment when his owner was arrested and brought to the City Shelter. Because he was scab-covered and skinny, he was placed on the euthanasia list. Thankfully, he was saved by Amsterdog just in the nick of time.

He is neutered, up to date on his shots, micro-chipped, housebroken, good with kids and dogs-- what more could you ask for!

Of Mr. Pink, Amsterdog writes, "In his new foster home, he is blossoming into playful, endearingly goofy pup that has made people say "What a beautiful dog!' When they pass him in the street. Mr Pink is anxious to please, tries hard to be obedient and has mastered basic commands, including the art of walking quietly on the leash and taking food gently. He is also people, child and dog-friendly, but alas, likes to chase cats. If you could spare a soft place to lie on, the occasional massage for his irritated skin, Mr Pink would be your grateful and devoted friend."

Believe it or not, this is what Mr. Pink USED to look like:

You can read the his old Euth. memo and the thread of fb users dedicated to rescuing him here.

Be part of Mr. Pink's happy ending! Call or text: 917 689 8414 or click here.

Urgent Part 2 on the news:

16 thousand Fans in less than 1 year, hundreds of dogs saved from euthanasia and finally some publicity!

 

View more videos at: http://www.nbcnewyork.com.

Unfortunately, in these video- Julie Blank (ACC) feels facebook pages and rescue groups encourage people to adopt dangerous animals. Not true. Most of the animals saved were sick - and dogs that have severe ratings- are not taken lightly- most are in fact put to sleep, and if by some chance they are rescued- it is because someone trusted the words of volunteers who had first hand knowledge that the dogs evaluation was wrong.
Also, I haven't heard of any of these rescues back firing-- what I have heard is stories about how the temperament tests were wrong and how lucky the rescuers are to have these animals as part of their families.

To read Urgent's response to Julie Blank- who apparently has nothing nice to say about the thousands of dogs saved through face book, click here.

A New "Leash" on Life-

A video I made to show all of the good work and happy endings that have come out of the rescue group Urgent Part 2 on facebook.

Adopt a shelter/euth list dog today!! These dogs have been given warm cozy beds, food, toys, hugs and kisses but they will give back so much more to the people who rescued them--everyone can agree these are better endings than what would have been.

Tribute to Lost Dogs

Everyone of these dogs in this video was killed in just 5 short days (between March 5th and March 9th 2011) by Animal Care and Control of New York City. Something has to be done to improve the conditions, reduce the upper respiratory infections and provide more room for dogs so that it is not in the shelter's best interest for these dogs to get sick and put down for coughing and sneezing.

These colds can be cured in ten days with antibiotics- both our dogs had coughs and in a clean environment, they got better rapidly. With enough space- colds are no reason to euthanize.

S.O.S.!

The NYC Shelters are completed over-burdened right now. They are beyond full-capacity.

Now is the time to consider rescueing/fostering/adopting, as the foster/rescue groups in the city are at capacity and Animal Care and Control has dogs living in cages in the hallways.

Close to 30 dogs have been killed in the last two days alone, many of them mild and adoptable. To see the dogs lost today, click here.

RIP Princess

What a horrific Valentine's Day for the animals.

A special plea for Missy

UPDATE: Missy is safe- she has been saved by a rescue and will hopefully find a good home in time.

This special dog really touched my heart and after all she's gone through in her life, I would hate to see her live out her few remaining days lonely in her cage, only to die cold and alone at the shelter. What really got to me was that Missy had clearly been so neglected that, as the volunteer decries below, she had simply given up.
If her story touches you too, you can adopt her through a rescue group, and you can find such a rescue group by leaving a comment on her facebook page: (Urgent Part 2: Missy)


Here is Missy's description from Animal Care and Control:

FEMALE, WHITE / BLACK, PIT BULL MIX, 1 yr
STRAY - ONHOLDHERE, HOLD FOR DOH-NHB
Reason STRAY
Intake condition NONE Intake Date 12/20/2010, From NY 10458, DueOut Date 12/30/2010,

Medical Behavior Evaluation MILD

A VOLUNTEER WROTE: 13 month old Missy is a very special dog looking for a very special adopter. This person should be looking for a family member, as Missy is extremely loving and devoted to the people who show her kindness, but they should also realize that the best kind of love is the love that heals--the kind of love that tells a helpless animal "it's okay. You are home now". Missy is barely out of puppyhood, but she has already seen too much suffering. She was found in the Bronx-- filthy, distended nipples, with dried blood on her coat. She sits in her cage with her back to you most days, as if she has already given up on trying to compete with the other dogs. She looks exhausted, even sleeping. When I opened up her cage and offered her the leash, she turned to look up at me, questioning. "Do you mean me?" her eyes asked, and I used every cell in my heart to send her assurance that I did. Out on the walk, she brought tears to my eyes because she was so happy, so content, and walked a pony trot with her mouth wide open in a smile , and when we came back she was so different, so alive and so grateful, licking my fingers and wagging her tail. Since that night, I've thought a lot about how little dogs like Missy need to be happy, and how absurd and unfair it is that an animal this wonderful could be denied such a small patch of security and love in a world so big and abundant. Can it really be that no one wants this shining soul? Missy was originally placed on an observational hold, but can be released to a rescue now---a somewhat noteworthy triumph, because it means someone thought she was worth a second chance. I hope you agree. Please save Missy today! A bath, a warm bed, and some time will yield a fantastic animal who worships the ground you walk on.

See her Video here.

Medical Summary
SCAN NEGATIVE BRIGHT, ALERT, RESPONSIVE, HYDRATED CAME IN WITH POLICE SLIGHT TARTAR VERY DIRTY COAT WITH OLD BLOOD ON THE COAT SEEN CLEANED WITH NOLVASAN NO OBVIOUS BITE WOUNDS SEEN SOME SMALL WOUND ON THE RIGHT MAXILLA SEEN BCS 3/5 DISTENDED MAMMARY GLANDS A LITLLE DULL NOSF
Weight 42.0