HIGHLIGHTS OF THE JUNE 14, 2013 AC&C BOARD MEETING

Some Members of the AC&C Board, June 14, 2013

Highlights of the June 14, 2013 AC&C Board Meeting

“I’m trying to answer your question why animals get euthanized.  They get sick.  They get very sick.”  AC&C Executive Director Risa Weinstock.  (Click here for a video of Weinstock responding to a question why animals end up on the AC&C’s “at risk” list.)

NOTE FROM SHELTER REFORM: Yes, indeed, AC&C animals “get sick.”  “They get very sick.”  And that’s because the AC&C makes them sick.

June 16, 2013

If one knew absolutely nothing about the AC&C’s history and happened to drop in on Friday’s AC&C board meeting, you’d think “Hey, this is a terrific shelter system that’s making extraordinary improvements for its animals.”

And that’s what the AC&C would like you think.  But read on.

As always, the AC&C Board Meeting was held at the headquarters of NYC’s Department of Health. But this was the first time a non-government director chaired the meeting.  That’s because six months ago the Board elected Patrick Nolan to replace DOH Commissioner Dr. Thomas Farley as AC&C Chairman.

AC&C Chairman Patrick Nolan

Nolan (a marketing executive with Penguin Books) did a commendable job chairing the meeting.  He remained engaged throughout and asked questions (sometimes to underscore positive points being made by the AC&C reps).  He was also very protective of newly appointed Executive Director Risa Weinstock.

What did we learn from the AC&C presentations? ANSWER: That the AC&C is stronger and better than ever.

Okay, that’s what the AC&C always says … even when the AC&C was killing 80% of its animals while locking out volunteers and rescuers.  But as we’ll explain below, Weinstock came armed with charts and graphs to support that better-than-ever claim.

Admittedly, there have been improvements since the DOH started throwing some money at the AC&C to avoid having to build shelters in the Bronx and Queens.  (It would be hard for the AC&C to get any worse at caring for its animals that it did in mid-2011).  Even so, there are a host of disturbing issues, questions and conditions that continue to plague our shelter system and are being skillfully glossed over.

And of course the DOH remains in charge of the AC&C, its hands on the purse strings, and making sure that no one from the AC&C says anything that would put the City, the DOH or the AC&C in a negative light.

AC&C Board of Directors

In September 2011 the DOH promised to expand the AC&C Board from 7 to 9 members by adding two more non-government directors.  The result would be three (3) government directors (Health, Parks, NYPD) and 6 non-government directors … all appointed by the Mayor’s Office.

So, 21 months later, who’s on the AC&C Board?  The following AC&C Directors were no-shows on Friday:

–  Health Commissioner Dr. Thomas Farley.   Now that he’s no longer AC&C Chairman, apparently Farley isn’t going to waste time attending AC&C board meetings.

–   Parks Commissioner Veronica White.  A year ago she succeeded Adrien Benepe as Parks Commissioner.  She has never attended an AC&C Board meeting.  For that matter, neither did Benepe.

–   NYPD Community Liaison Philips Banks, III.  Banks has never attended an AC&C Board meeting.

–  Non-government director John O’Connor (proud bloodsport hunter and self-proclaimed “friend” of Mayor Bloomberg) has missed the last two meetings.

–   And an empty chair reserved for the-still-to-be-named- successor-to-non-government- director Bruce Doniger.  This seat has been empty for over a year.

Farley and Banks sent substitutes to represent them. (Veronica White didn’t).  Admittedly, it was startling to see Deputy Health Commissioner Daniel Kass voting on AC&C business.[i]

Deputy Health Commissioner Daniel Kass

Nolan opened the meeting by expressing the Board’s pleasure at having voted unanimously to select Risa Weinstock as the AC&C’s new Executive Director.

New Executive Director Risa Weinstock

Weinstock has been the ED-in-waiting for some time.  Before arriving at the AC&C in 2008 as General Counsel, she had no shelter or animal care experience. She subsequently served 2 separate terms as “interim” ED (2009-2010 and October 2012- early June 2013) until the Board recently tapped her to formally succeed Julie Bank.  She is said to have an excellent relationship with the DOH.  She’s much liked by the Mayor’s Alliance. And the ASPCA is delighted with Weinstock’s selection.

But is she the world class executive director that Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer argued the AC&C deserves?

Weinstock was cordial, polite, wellspoken, and very prepared.  She launched into a 35-minute powerpoint presentation of claimed achievements under her leadership:

–  AC&C staffing has grown by leaps and bounds, from a low of 129 employees in January 2011 (due to drastic budget cuts by the DOH) to a current headcount of 235 (due to extra funding by the DOH).  Weinstock described a new AC&C with a multi-layered hierarchy …. lots of people supervising other people who in turn supervise yet more people. The AC&C has also created several new positions while expanding existing departments..

–   With more staffing, the AC&C has seen an  increase in the human to animal ratio.

–  The AC&C has done well with fundraising not only through their own sponsored events, but also from third-party fundraisers. There’s a fundraising event at least once a month.  Weinstock said that this past fiscal year  (July 2012-June 2013) the AC&C raised $850,000.  Then she took issue with a “myth” that in fiscal year 2010 the AC&C raised only $57,000. (MBP Stringer had pointed that to that $57K figure in his scathing report on the AC&C.)  Yes, she said, the AC&C’s Form 990 reported that amount under fundraising, but that entry was for one only fundraising event.  In fact, said Weinstock, the AC&C raised over a million dollars in contributions in 2010-2011.

NOTE:  More than $1 million?  Weinstock offered no information about the source(s) of those monies.  The claim is also puzzling in light what former AC&C Executive Director Julie Bank used to report at Board meetings during the time period in question: that the AC&C hadn’t lost money on its fundraising events and appeals … as if that were an achievement.

But wait, Weinstock spoke about “contributions” not “fundraising.”  What were the sources of that $1 million in contributions in fiscal 2011 and the $850,000 in fiscal 2012? 

NOTE:  The AC&C should not include monies from the Mayor’s Alliance and the ASPCA.  The ASPCA and the Alliance were pumping money into the AC&C to keep it afloat during the depths of DOH budget cuts.  Otherwise, the AC&C would have collapsed and they would have a PR disaster on their hands..

–  “This is huge,” is how Weinstock described the new Adoptions Staff program which will launch on June 29^th The AC&C has “listened” to what the public was saying and responded.  (NOTE: The public AND volunteers have been saying for years that trying to adopt an animal from the AC&C is an exercise in futility.)  There will be Adoption Counselors ready to guide individuals through the selection process and paperwork.  They will followup and answer phone calls. The goal is to increase adoptions as well as the quality of adoptions.  (Fingers crossed that the AC&C has gotten its adoptions act together after all these years.)

–  The AC&C’s New Hope department is “very, very successful” and the AC&C couldn’t save as many animals without the help of their partner rescue groups. Currently, there’s a 2:1 ratio of pulls by rescuers to direct adoptions. Nolan asked how long it takes to become a New Hope partner. (Good question.)  It depends, was the answer. As short as 2 weeks or it could take several months.  Groups must already be 501(c)(3)’s and must provide the required paperwork.

–  While the AC&C continues its search for a Medical Director, it has created a position called “Chief Vet.”  The AC&C plans to increase its medical department.

–  AC&C Intake numbers continue a dramatic decline which began a few years ago.  At one point Weinstock volunteered that perhaps spay/ neuter was the reason for this accelerated decline.  She noted that even after the AC&C began to  restore and expand its Field Op Services, intake numbers have kept going down rapidly.

NOTE:  Spay/Neuter has historically accounted for a slow but steady decline in AC&C intake numbers.  That’s because spay/neuter works.  But Weinstock failed to note that this sudden steep decline in intakes coincided with the AC&C’s decision to slow down and then dramatically reduce its Field Operations.   By shutting its doors to thousands of animals,  AC&C’s intake numbers fell… and fast. 

Reduced intake numbers are a great thing, but not if they’re manufactured.  Chairman Nolan suggested that it might be too early to see an uptick in intake numbers because expansion of Receiving Center operations and Field Ops has been relatively recent.

–  Euthanasia:  Compared to Jan.- May 2012 and the same period this year, euthanasia percentages are down markedly. The AC&C is analyzing its data.

–  Behavior Assessment and Enrichment:  The AC&C has expanded its Assessment Staff and is now offering “enrichment.”  Cats will get scratch poles and toys and some will be allowed exercise time in the new spaces carved out as “meet and greet” rooms.  The AC&C has dedicated dog walkers.

–  “At Risk” List:  Starting July 1^st the AC&C will extend the number of hours that rescuers and the public can pull an animal.  NOTE:This is a welcomed change.

– Volunteer Numbers and Hours:  The volunteer program “continues to thrive.”  Even though the number of volunteers is lower than last year, volunteers are logging in more hours.(NOTE: Weinstock’s graphs don’t separate out the volunteer hours actually served inside shelters and hands on with the animals from, say,  volunteering in the AC&C’s executive offices.  Nor does the AC&C identify the number of volunteer hours spent in non-adoptions wards where the vast majority of AC&C animals are kept and who have the greatest needs.)

–  Fosters:  The AC&C has expedited the process of becoming a foster-volunteer, and dozens more have been added over the past 6 months. Among all types of volunteers, the most urgent need is for fosters.  (NOTE: Nolan explained that he fostered an AC&C dog, which he ultimately adopted.)

– New Security and Surveillance Systems: Installation of video cameras, electronic key “fobs” to access kennel rooms, and panic buttons offer new security for people, animals and supplies.

–  Publicity:  Third parties have donated their talent and even a billboard for a special campaign entitled “New York’s Kindest” to promote the AC&C (“Adopt. Volunteer. Donate.”).

–  New Signage and New Animal Cages:  All 3 shelters will have new signage with the words “Adopt. Donate. Volunteer” prominently displayed as part of the new AC&C message.  The Manhattan and Brooklyn shelters will have new dog and cat cages.

What the AC&C Didn’t Mention

The AC&C studiously avoided discussing the following::

Disease and Contagion Rates:  Has the AC&C made any progress in controlling disease?  (Weinstock mentioned that the AC&C is using a new disinfectant.)  Back in 2011 the ASPCA reported an almost 100% infection rate.

Are dogs regularly walked?:  Weinstock said the AC&C has dedicated dogwalkers.  (Eliminating dogwalkers was the very first cut Weinstock made when she was “interim” ED in October 2009.   Is every AC&C dog guaranteed a minimum number of walks a day?  Two? One? Are there dogs that are never walked?  If so, why?

Behavior Assessment:  NOTE: The AC&C has a long history of mislabeling animals for temperament and behavior.  AC&C dogs are supposed to be assessed using a test called S.A.F.E.R.  For years the AC&C allowed people not certified in S.A.F.E.R to conduct those tests.  In addition, AC&C employees regularly violated the strict testing environment mandated by the S.A.F.E.R. protocol. While Weinstock reported that all evaluators are now S.A.F.E.R.-certified, who  oversees testing conditions?

Weinstock reported that the AC&C now has cat assessors.  It would have been helpful if she described the the testing method.  The AC&C used to allow its employees to devise their own tests which ranged from the absurd to downright cruel.

The issue of behavior assessment is particularly crucial.  Come 2015 the AC&C will declare itself “no kill” … no matter what.  All the AC&C has to do is mislabel animals for behavior (or claim they’re too too sick to be saved).  And of course feral cats will fail any behavior test, which would be fine with the AC&C.

The still missing non-government director for the AC&C Board:  The Board has  been short one non-government director for over a year, something the AC&C Board should have mentioned.

Sexual Harassment and Favoritism:  Weinstock stressed that the AC&C is focusing on quality hires and skilled supervisors. That’s great.  It would also be great if the AC&C finally established a no-tolerance policy for supervisors having sexual relations with employees who are in a reporting line to them. This problem has plagued the AC&C for years.  Offenders have been allowed to keep their jobs and some have even been promoted. Even if the relationship isn’t overtly coercive, it invites the possibility of blackmail or favoritism.  It’s also terrible for employee morale.  The AC&C needs to do some housecleaning.

Public Speakers

Mr. Nolan generously extended the meeting to allow everyone who signed up to speak to be able to address the board.  Despite a promise to answer questions, very few received a response.  Here are highlights from that portion of the meeting:

Jeff Latzer of Adopt NY discussed the AC&C’s lackluster fundraising efforts under AC&C Development/ Communications Director Richard Gentles.  He also noted that the AC&C was slow to post its IRS Form 990s.  (Shortly after the Board meeting, the AC&C posted its 990 for fiscal year 2011.  That’s service!).

Nicki Gondell thanked the AC&C for promising to extend the hours for people to pull animals from the “at risk” lists.  She hoped the AC&C could prevent animals from ending up on those lists.  Could the AC&C do something about URI?  Could the AC&C improve shelter conditions?

Tom Scopac is a Wall Street accountant who follows the nightly AC&C “at risk” lists published by Urgent Part 2 as well as animal outcomes.  He noted that the AC&C kills more animals available for adoptions than are available for rescue. (Click here for Scopac’s At Risk Outcome Analysis.)  He noted that the trend is more pronounced in the Brooklyn shelter. He stated that a corporate board should have a “bias toward action.”  Does the AC&C board have that bias?  Will it insist on accountability and responsibility?

Stephanie Miscicursch (sp?) praised the AC&C’s “NYC’s Kindest” campaign.  She asked if the AC&C would post its financials (i.e., the “Financial Statements” which accountants read from at every board meeting) on the AC&C website.   (AC&C made this same request to the AC&C in January 2013 to no avail. But lo n’ behold, the AC&C website now offers a link to the Financial Statement for the year ending June 30, 2012.  Again, service!)

Reporter Suzy Allman from the NY Times asked if Risa Weinstock would speak about any personal experience she’s had with – or any personal anecdote about — an AC&C animal.  Weinstock was visibly taken aback by the question. Nolan said that Allman could speak to Weinstock after the meeting.

Kim Spanjol teaches humane education to special needs students.  She explained how humane education is an effective preventive tool to keep animals from entering shelters.  The AC&C does not allow children under 18 years of age to be involved with the shelter.  Spanjol would like to secure the AC&C’s cooperation to bring children into the shelter system, even if they’re not allowed to touch an AC&C animal.  She said that children have the time and interest and they’re a vital resource that goes untapped.

John Sibley has been a transporter for rescue groups for 7 years, but he’s never seen a change in the overall quality of AC&C medical care.. He said that basic hygiene is not being taught effectively to AC&C employees.  He also noted that the AC&C deserves a first class Medical Director and still doesn’t have one.  The AC&C has outsourced most of the spay/neuter surgery to the ASPCA, a fact which doesn’t speak well for the AC&C’s medical capabilities.

Dana Monsky asked what considerations factor into putting an animal on the AC&C’s “at risk” list.  To his credit, Nolan allowed Weinstock to answer.  And to Weinstock’s credit, she tried, never becoming impatient even when audience members shouted out comments.  Click here for a video of her response.

Initially Weinstock noted (correctly) that several speakers had asked about an item she had already addressed, e.g., that the AC&C will increase the number of hours people can pull animals from the “at risk” list.  .

Now about why animals end up on the list:  “Animals get put on the list for many reasons, ” she said.  “There’s a certain number of animals our shelter can hold.  There’s a capacity issue.”

“Space, we need space,” members of the audience chanted.  “Shelters in the Bronx and Queens” another audience member shouted out.

Weinstock persevered:

“I’m trying to answer your question why animals get euthanized.  They get sick.  They get very sick.  Some animals cost thousands of dollars to treat.  What we’re trying to do in our Adoptions Programs is ensure that the adopter is fully informed as to what it may cost them.”

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There are certain animals that are outside being  “available to the public.”

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“The unfortunate thing is that the public does not want certain animals”

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“We do not have the resources or space to keep an animal forever. And that’s the sad reality of the shelter world.”

Actually, the sad reality of the AC&C world is that it has fails at being a progressive, innovative and humane shelter.  It ensures  that almost all its animals get sick … some very sick, and then expects rescuers (and now the public) to nurse them back to health. And if “the public does not want” those animals, the AC&C will kill them.

The AC&C has always done a poor job marketing its animals to the public.  Now that the AC&C is belatedly interested in promoting  direct adoptions, the AC&C has to get its act together and keep its animals safe from disease and fear … basic requirements of any well-run shelter.

Weinstock appeared to be heartfelt in her defense of why AC&C animals are “euthanized”.

But that doesn’t mean she’s right.