NYC Council Intro 1478

This was a bold bill that passed as a watered-down version when a Department of Animal Welfare was changed to an "Office". Substituting "office" for "department" doomed what would have been a game changer for New York City animals.

A weak "Office" with no real legislative power.
This "office" will lack the power, funding, and staff that city departments possess. They'll continue as liaisons and hope that whoever is in the Mayor's office will follow their advice. But if a future Mayor doesn't care about animals, then the Department of Health will revert to its usual indifference to animal welfare. And the "Office of Animal Welfare" will be powerless to help.

What's the new New York City Animal Welfare Office going to really do about this ongoing national disgrace of a system that was awarded a 34-year contract?

This 'Office' is designed to dazzle the media.
This 'was a photo opp for Justin Brannan.

NY1 interviews Brannan

Brannan speaks well but noone knows how to contact this office.

It was a cosmetic fix that looks good on paper and in interviews with the press.

Justin Brannan gutted Intro 1478, without explaining why.

The Department of Health still oversees the ACC.

New York City is a national embarrassment when it comes to modern animal welfare. Cronyism seems to win every time.

There is nothing to mandate not to kill animals.

This will be an advisory body headed by kill shelter supporters and lobbyists. Organization and people like VFAR/The Animal Voters' Allie Feldman, or kill shelter lobbyist Libby Post as well as NYCLASS and PETA. All groups which will continue the status quo killing. In additon VFAR's/The Animal Voters' Board Member Joyce Friedman works for the ACC. This is a conflict of interest.
See: The Kill Pound Lobby

There is still:
-- NO Mayors Animal Welfare Board.
-- NO City Council Animal Welfare Committee, which would have real legislative sway.
-- NO ACC advisory body for taxpayers. (Google "citizens animal control advisory body") to see what is done elsewhere.
-- NYC Comptroller Scott Stringer stated in his April 2015 audit about the ACC:
“Animal Care & Control is running an operation that could make your stomach turn,.. stomach-churning conditions"...

It is very important to hire knowledgeable and compassionate companion animal advocates.

See:
NY Daily News
Bklyner 3-27-19

The Department of Health still oversees the ACC.
So New York City now has an Animal Welfare "Office" in name only.

The 1894 dog law is alive and well.

Speaking time at the Hearing was:
• Too short for knowledgeable advocates to present info.
• No opportunity for discussion with NYCACC CEO Risa Weinstock, ACC Board memmber Corrine Schiff (Ex officio, New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene), and Mayor’s Office Christine Kim.
• Too late in the hearing. Was Risa Weinstock, Corrine Schiff and Christine Kim even still there when these advocates spoke?

• Who scheduled it this way? Mark Levine's office?

Letter
from Jonathan Pirro from Senator James Tedisco's office
to NYC Council Speaker Johnson
12-12-17

A humane and transparent Department of Animal Welfare is needed.

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Please work with Nathan Winograd of the No Kill Advocacy Center.

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ShelterNotes@outlook.com

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Last modified June 2021.

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