05/23/2024
As you are all aware, ACC has been struggling with our dog population for well over a year. During this time, we have continued efforts to decrease intakes and increase placements, mainly by providing resources to owners and stipends to New Hope partners. We've also tried new tactics including immediately placing easy-to-adopt dogs with partners, working to find placement before intake, as well as running adoption promotions.
Despite all the work we have put into these and other efforts, we continue to operate far above our capacity for care in all locations. In recent weeks we’ve exceeded 300 dogs with 48 dogs living in crates. We also have 90 dogs that have been in our care for 30 days or more.
In speaking with and researching other organizations, it is clear that we are far from alone in dealing with this. Shelters across the country are housing multiple dogs in kennels and having at-risk lists for the first time.
To avoid having to make difficult euthanasia decisions based solely on space constraints, we are expanding our Emergency Placement program to give as many dogs as possible the chance to be networked and placed in a timely manner. Starting May 23, ACC will have two lists for dogs who urgently need placement:
(1) Priority Placement (PPL) Dogs:
Priority Placement dogs need extra attention because their quality of life in the shelter has declined and/or their behavior could make placement difficult if they remain in care. We are making their placement a top priority. These are dogs that if not placed soon, could be added to the At-Risk List. Dogs on this list may be placed with a New Hope rescue partner or depending on their behavior, may be eligible for direct adoption or foster.
(2) At-Risk of Euthanasia (ARL) Dogs:
At-Risk dogs suffer from severe medical issues and/or behavioral problems and have been unable to find placement. These dogs are at-risk of euthanasia if not placed before a given date. The ARL is posted Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday at 6PM. Euthanasia decisions are made Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. If a decision is made to move forward with humane euthanasia, a thorough Quality Assurance (QA) process is implemented in which all records are reviewed. At-Risk dogs are eligible for placement through adoption or New Hope rescue placement. They are not eligible for placement into the ACC foster program.
We have added a terminology section, to further explain the acronyms and terms we use. And, we have added an FAQ section.
The goal is to bring attention to our challenges and show the help we need in the most transparent way possible.
We cannot get through this overpopulation crisis without the help from the community. Please consider adopting, fostering, sharing dog profiles and/or helping your neighbors who may be struggling with their pets.
For more information please visit https://www.nycacc.org/emergency-placement/
