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Animal Care & Control of NYC Gets Blasted in Audit

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Animal care & control of NYC.

An audit conducted by New York City’s Comptroller Scott M. Stringer blasts Animal Care & Control of NYC.

“Animal Care & Control is running an operation that could make your stomach turn,” Stringer said in a statement.

According to the report, the nonprofit organization is continuing to put homeless animals and strays at risk with its practices, which Stringer blames on mismanagement and financial and operational negligence.

Related: Animal Care & Control of New York City Is Getting a Much-Needed Makeover

Auditors discovered on 499 occasions expired drugs were administrated to dogs and cats, including 489 tablets of the opioid Tramadol and three times Diazepam, a kind of valium, given to animals. They also found 92 bottles of expired substance, including some that were 13-years-old, at the facilities. The team also reported that 43 bottles of injectables were unaccounted for during the four-month window and 239 pills during a one-day visit.

The group also discovered that vaccinations were stored next to employees’ lunches (a big no-no according Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) and even animal remains.

Image from New York City Comptroller

Image from New York City Comptroller

The comptroller set forth 18 recommendations including having a computerized inventory system, creating policies in line with DEA guidelines and better documentation of expenses. The nonprofit agreed with the majority of them and has already begun implementing these changes.

“Animal Care and Control of New York will continue to strengthen our policies and procedures to ensure optimum performance and the best possible care for our animals,” AC&C spokesperson Alexandra Silver said in a statement.

Related: Animal Care & Control of New York City Is Getting a Much-Needed Makeover

The four-month audit occurried from December 2013 to March 2014. The auditors also vistited the facilities between March and November of 2014 and reviewed the AC&C’s financial operations during its 2013 fiscal year.

Related: NYC Animal Care & Control’s Benefit Helps Shelter Dogs Have Some Fun

This isn’t the first time the comptroller has taken AC&C to task. Back in 2002, then comptroller William C. Thompson reported that in instances the nonprofit was mistreating animals and they lived in unsanitary conditions, according to The New York Times.

In 2006, another report found that while there were improvements, AC&C still needed to work on things.

And in 2013, when Stringer was Manhattan borough president, he released a report called “Led Astray,” which documented the organizations shortcomings and recommendations on a new financial model.

“How we treat our most vulnerable creatures is a reflection of our decency as a society, and AC&C is failing in that important responsibility,” Stringer said in a statement.

Related: Recap: Animal Care and Control of NYC’s Spring Fling Sets Attendance Record

By Andrea Huspeni

Andrea Huspeni is the founder and CEO of This Dog's Life. Her mission it to help dogs live a happier, healthier and longer life. When she isn't working, she spends time with her two dogs, Lola and Milo. She resides in Brooklyn, NY.

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