The New Hope program is ACC's proactive community initiative aimed at finding homes for New York City's unwanted pet population.
To accomplish this, ACC establishes and cultivates mutually beneficial and productive relationships with cat, dog, rabbit and exotic animal placement organizations that assist and partner with ACC in placing animals, many of which may require specialized medical care or behavior training.
In the following news release of April 19, 2015, by the office of New York City Comptroller Scott Stringer, an extensive list of concerns found during an audit of NYCACC cited mismanagement of medications, expired medications, and storage of animal remains along with food meant for human consumption among the numerous discrepancies: "Animal Care & Control (AC&C) of New York City does not ensure the safety of drugs and vaccines it administers, fails to track them efficiently, operates an overcrowded shelter in Manhattan, and potentially unsafe facilities, according to an audit released today by New York City Comptroller Scott Stringer.
“Animal Care & Control is running an operation that could make your stomach turn,” Comptroller Stringer said.
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.” AC&C, a non-profit corporation, has a 5-year, $51.9 million contract with the Department of Health & Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) to provide shelter, examine, test, treat, spay, neuter and assure the humane care and disposition of animals in shelters located in Manhattan, Brooklyn and Staten Island, along with drop-off centers in Queens and the Bronx.
Auditors found that animals’ health was put at risk by AC&C’s failure to oversee controlled substances in all three shelters.
The Comptroller’s audit also found that AC&C: Failed to effectively oversee controlled substances: Lacking a computerized inventory system, AC&C shelters generally relied on only one person at each shelter to complete the request, receipt and recording of their controlled substances inventory — which included opioids, sedatives, and a potentially deadly barbiturate.
During the four-month review period, auditors found discrepancies in records involving 224 bottles of injectable, controlled substances.
AC&C could not account for 239 tablets and the equivalent of 43 bottles of injectable liquids of controlled substances across all three shelter locations in Manhattan, Brooklyn and Staten Island.
Allowed poor shelter conditions to exist, until auditors notified AC&C and DOHMH officials: At the Brooklyn shelter, poor ventilation contributed to a strong gas odor, while a shared climate control system between isolation rooms for sick animals and rooms with healthy animals increased the risk of spreading contagious diseases.
At the Staten Island shelter, auditors found a defective fire alarm as well as peeling paint above dog kennels and feeding areas.
AC&C also failed to provide a cost-benefit analysis of its planned move from office headquarters in Lower Manhattan, for which it has paid more than $221,000 in rental expenses annually since 2012.
These recommendations include: Implementing a computerized inventory system to accurately track controlled substances; Establishing policies to ensure controlled substances are handled in accordance with DEA guidelines; Ensure that expenses are documented and that accurate purchasing documents are provided; and Conduct a cost benefit feasibility study to determine if moving headquarters is appropriate.