Audit on Animal Care & Control of New York City, Inc.’s Operating Practices

Executive Summary

We conducted this audit to determine whether Animal Care and Control of New York City, Inc., doing business as Animal Care Centers of NYC (ACC), is in compliance with the requirements of its contract with the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) regarding shelter conditions and animal care. Specifically, we examined the adequacy of the organization’s shelter conditions, the accuracy of its inventory records for controlled substances, and its adherence to its animal care protocols. In addition, we reviewed DOHMH’s monitoring and oversight of ACC.

ACC is a non-profit organization that operates the New York City (City) municipal animal shelter system under a contract, which runs until June 30, 2052. ACC’s contract with the City requires it to shelter, hold, examine, test, spay/neuter, microchip, place for adoption, assure humane care and disposition of, and otherwise control animals, which ACC or the City has seized or accepted. ACC operates five locations throughout the City: three full-service Animal Care Centers in Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Staten Island and two receiving centers in Queens and the Bronx.

ACC provides shelter to over 20,000 animals each year. According to its audited financial statements for Fiscal Year 2018, ACC reported total revenue of $21,679,980 and total expenses of $21,183,702.

Audit Findings and Conclusion

This audit found that ACC is generally in compliance with its DOHMH contract with regard to shelter conditions and animal care. However, we identified deficiencies in a number of ACC functions, including shelter conditions, computer inventory records for controlled substances, and certain medical care protocols.

With regard to shelter conditions, we found deficiencies related to unacceptable humidity levels, sounds of predator species heard in prey rooms, food found that was past its “best by” date, peeling paint and exposed surfaces, and expired non-controlled medications. Through inventory counts we conducted of the unopened controlled substances found at the three full-service Animal Care Centers on July 15, 2019, we found that ACC’s computer inventory did not always accurately record the quantity of unopened controlled substances on hand. In addition, our review of a sample of animal medical records revealed some areas of concern, specifically pertaining to the administration of vaccinations, screening examinations, and weighing of animals, as well as a high rate of respiratory infections.

Finally, we found that the Manhattan Animal Care Center’s planned renovation of garage space into an adoption center remains incomplete and the Center lacks a backup generator. We also found that DOHMH did not conduct comprehensive assessments of ACC’s adherence to the contract’s scope of services in a timely manner.

Audit Recommendations

Based on our findings, we make 21 recommendations, including the following:

• ACC and DOHMH should make sure that all rooms housing animals contain a working humidity/temperature monitor to help ensure that humidity levels are maintained at levels that provide a healthy environment for the animals.
• ACC should consider adding sound mitigation mats to all of the Animal Care Centers.
• ACC should formally document its 2-week review policy, which has shelter staff conduct thorough inventory reviews of the shelter’s food supply to ensure that the shelter is not storing food that is past the manufacturer’s “best by” date.
• DOHMH should establish formal written policies with specific timeframes for routine repairs and periodic maintenance, such as painting and related work.
• ACC should frequently review its stock of medications to help ensure that expired medications are not included in its inventory.
• ACC should follow its policies and procedures and update its EPMX records on a daily basis to ensure that its computer inventory records properly reflect the quantity of unopened controlled substances on hand.
• ACC should ensure that staff is consistently adhering to its animal care protocols that govern examinations, vaccinations, and weight assessments.
• DOHMH and ACC should work with DOB and DDC to expedite the conversion of the Manhattan Animal Care Center’s garage space.
• DOHMH should install a backup generator at the Manhattan Animal Care Center, as was its intention approximately five years ago.
• DOHMH should ensure that it consistently performs and documents assessments of ACC’s adherence to the contract’s scope of services within the established timeframes.

Agency Response

Of the 21 recommendations made in this audit, 10 were directed to ACC only, 8 were directed to DOHMH only, and 3 were directed jointly to ACC and DOHMH. In its response, ACC generally agreed with 10 of the 13 recommendations directed to it. Of the remaining three recommendations, ACC partially agreed with the recommendation regarding adding sound mitigation mats; stated it will take the recommendation that it maintain its records of spot checks under advisement; and did not indicate whether it agreed or disagreed with the recommendation that it should follow its procedures to update its EPMX records on a daily basis.

In DOHMH’s response, the agency generally agreed with 8 of the 11 recommendations directed to it. Of the remaining three recommendations, DOHMH partially agreed with the recommendation that it contractually require ACC to maintain an accurate computer inventory system, disagreed with the recommendation that it establish written policies for routine repairs and periodic maintenance, and did not directly address the recommendation that it consistently perform and document assessments of ACC’s adherence to the contract’s scope of services within the established timeframes. In that regard, DOHMH disagreed with the finding that its assessment reports on ACC’s contract compliance were not consistently issued as required.