Since an initial audit in 2002, Animal Care and Control of New York City (AC&C) has made improvements in sanitary conditions in the city’s animal shelters, but serious conditions remain, according to an audit released today by Comptroller William C. Thompson, Jr.

Thompson’s audit found cleaner shelters overall and improved efforts to encourage adoptions. These findings show significant progress from the 2002 audit, which found compelling evidence of animal mistreatment and unsanitary conditions.

Today’s audit also shows, however, that concerns persist about the health of the animals. Sick animals continue to be housed with healthy animals, and the dogs in the Manhattan and Brooklyn shelters are not exercised regularly.

Thompson’s audit also found that security at the shelters appeared to be lax during the auditors’ visits. In a survey used by the auditors, clients reported that they handled animals without any assistance from shelter volunteers or staff. Also, AC&C could not document that it undertook investigations of animals identified as missing from the shelters.

Although AC&C was able to document stepped-up efforts to encourage animal adoptions, the auditors could not verify that adoptions have increased.

“Our audit of AC&C in 2002 found evidence of animal neglect and mistreatment. As a result of that audit, AC&C took significant steps to overhaul its operations to put the well-being of the animals first,” Thompson said. “The result of these efforts is reflected in today’s audit, which finds many important improvements. There is still a long way to go and many serious problems to address, but this audit shows a level of commitment from AC&C to fulfill its mission to promote and protect the health, safety and welfare of pets in New York City.”

Today’s audit evaluated the conditions under which animals are sheltered by AC&C and the level and success of AC&C’s efforts to promote animal adoptions from its shelters during the period July 2004 through March 2006.

In addition, two surveys were conducted to obtain opinions from the public concerning their experiences with AC&C. The first survey was sent to 300 randomly selected customers. The second was sent to 100 pet rescue organizations who had rescued 10 or more dogs and cats from AC&C.

The audit findings include:

• Overall AC&C shelter conditions are adequate, and AC&C shelter staff is generally responsive to the needs of the animals. There was no evidence of animal abuse or mistreatment.

• Fifty-two percent (20,586) of the animals in AC&C’s care were euthanized in 2005. This represents a decrease of 13% from 2004.

• Almost all the animals observed had water and identification cards.

• Efforts should be made to improve cleaning of adoption wards, spot cleaning, and properly drying floors.

• AC&C did not adequately isolate sick animals from healthy animals, as required by its contract with the City’s Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH). This condition was also cited in the Comptroller’s 2002 audit.

• Customers and pet rescue organizations expressed concern about the health of the animals they receive from AC&C. Medical care of the animals was the only area in which pet rescue organizations rated AC&C’s services slightly below average; seven of the 29 organizations that rated AC&C medical care gave it the lowest possible rating (1).

• Dogs in the Manhattan and Brooklyn shelters are not exercised regularly, if at all. The Comptroller’s 2002 audit also cited this deficiency. AC&C maintained that it could not use its dog runs at the Manhattan shelter because of noise complaints, but could not explain why the Brooklyn runs were not used.

• Shelter security needs to be improved. By allowing visitors to handle animals on their own and to walk unaccompanied throughout the shelter, there is a potential that members of the public can injure themselves, staff members or the animals. In addition, animal pharmaceuticals can be stolen.

• AC&C had no documentation that it investigated animals that were identified as missing from its shelters.

• Although AC&C has improved its adoption efforts, it is still hampered by the fact that it does not provide adoption services at its Queens and Bronx facilities.

• Although AC&C’s adoption numbers appear to have increased and its rate of euthanasia appears to have declined, auditors were unable to verify the adoption outcome statistics from AC&C’s computer system or via original adoption agreements. Original documents for 30 percent of the sampled adoptions were unavailable.

• AC&C lacks a required customer service quality-assurance program.

AC&C and DOHMH officials generally agreed with the audit’s findings and 13 recommendations, which include the following:

AC&C should ensure that:

• Cleaning procedures are followed, including the timely cleaning of adoption wards, the periodic spot cleaning of cages, and the proper drying of floors after being cleaned.
• Sick animals are separated from healthy animals.
• Efforts are increased to get volunteers for dog-walking activities, or find alternative solutions to address this issue.
• Doors to restricted areas and cabinets containing pharmaceuticals are locked at all times.
• Complete adoption documentation is maintained, including signed adoption agreements, for seven years, as required by AC&C policy.
• There is adequate medical staff to address the medical needs of the animals.
• All animals are examined shortly after they arrive and that contagious animals are immediately isolated.
• A formal customer service quality-assurance program is developed and instituted to identify areas that may need improvement.

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