New York City Boosts Animal Shelter Funding Amid Criticism
New York City is investing an additional $1 million into its struggling animal shelter system to hire and train 14 new staff members, as announced on Friday. This step comes as the Animal Care Centers of New York City (ACC), the nonprofit managing the city’s animal shelters, has recently halted pet intakes due to a critical overcrowding crisis.
The ACC has a long-standing contract with the city, worth $1.4 billion over 34 years, to oversee its animal shelter system. Unfortunately, the organization has faced intense scrutiny following reports of poor living conditions in its newly built $75 million shelter located in Queens.
Mayor Eric Adams highlighted the importance of this investment to ensure that animals across the city receive proper care. “ACC’s work to ensure no animal is left behind is essential to protecting animals across New York City, and our administration is proud to invest $1 million in additional funding to support the work ACC does and boost their capacity to better care for animals,” he stated. He also encouraged New Yorkers to adopt pets, helping ensure every animal finds a loving home.
However, Republican mayoral candidate Curtis Sliwa sharply criticized this funding move. Sliwa, known for his advocacy for animal welfare and a self-described “cat dad” to six rescue cats, expressed concerns that the city is ignoring the root problems plaguing animal welfare. “Today’s $1M for ACC is a drop in the bucket,” he said on social media. “ACC has a 34-year contract worth over $1 billion—yet our shelters are overcrowded, surrenders are paused, and animals are suffering.”
Sliwa proposed a more drastic approach: ending the current contract with ACC and establishing a new city-operated animal welfare agency. He suggested that this agency could be set up in the “basement” of City Hall and would focus on a “quasi-private public partnership” to lessen the burden on taxpayers. His vision includes creating “kill-free” shelters and offering free spay and neuter programs to control the animal population more effectively.
Currently, the ACC operates three active sites across the five boroughs, housing over 1,000 animals. However, the shelter in Brooklyn is closed for renovations until 2026, and the Bronx resource center remains “temporarily” shut since May. Additionally, another $92 million facility in the Bronx is still under construction, with its opening recently delayed despite expectations of a spring debut.
These persistent issues have raised questions about the efficacy of ACC’s management. While the organization is expected to provide locations in all boroughs, the current closures only exacerbate the problem of overcrowding and limited resources, further endangering animals that need care and shelter.
Critics argue that merely adding funding is not a solution to the systemic issues facing animal welfare in the city. They claim that without a comprehensive plan to tackle the root causes, these band-aid approaches will continue to leave animals in distress.
As the city grapples with how best to approach animal care, the looming question remains: Will this new funding be sufficient, or is a more fundamental change needed to revamp the entire animal welfare system in New York City?
Mayor Adams and the ACC have yet to respond to inquiries regarding ongoing concerns about shelter conditions and operational efficiency. As animal lovers and advocates await changes, the future of New York City’s animal welfare remains uncertain, highlighting the urgent need for effective solutions that genuinely prioritize the well-being of these animals.
