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    Speech Mary Jo Tobin gave to the ACC (NYC Animal shelter system) board members below.  Photo by Mark Ross. If knowing thousands of animals are killed each year in the ACC doesn’t hurt you, then on behalf of all those animals that left the shelter frozen in black plastic bags, I’d ask that you resign. If you can’t BOAST about the extraordinary work you have done to improve conditions, raise funds and increase adoptions, then on behalf of all the animals that went from healthy to super sick and then dead, I’d ask you to resign. If you aren’t working really hard to come up with innovative, outside the box ways to increase public awareness as to the dire situation that exists within our shelter system, then, on behalf of all the animals whose behaviors were changed from mild to severe, just so they could be killed for a reason other than space, I say to you, please resign. If you can say you have walked through the shelter and looked into the eyes of the desperate pets struggling to survive, begging for attention, and that you weren’t moved, then on behalf of the ones who purred and wagged their tails until the bitter end, I’d like to ask you to resign immediately. If you can’t list 50 companies/individuals that you approached soliciting funding for ACC in the past year or during your tenure, then on behalf of the dogs that were dragged down the hall to a death they knew was coming, I’d like to ask you to resign immediately. Having a board filled with weak, indifferent members repeatedly showing up at these meetings lacking ideas, promise and enthusiasm can no longer be tolerated.  This board MUST be comprised of leaders who have made great things happen for shelter pets —- like the folks in this audience!  WE need a board consisting of spunky people with the highest integrity who understand what a crucial role they play in the fight for better conditions, not people who continue to be satisfied with the filth and death that is the reality of our shelter pets.  There is no shame in resigning, only shame in continuing to do nothing at the expense of the animals!  Don’t let your ego keep you on this board.  If you are not an animal lover who hurts deeply because of the suffering of our shelter pets then you really are not suited for this board.  There is no shortage of qualified, ambitious and hopeful candidates ready, willing and aching to take your place.  I have tremendous respect and hope for the ACC.  I’d take great joy in seeing the ACC become a model for other cities across the country, but that can only happen if the DOH and Mayor Mike embrace the ideas of finally operating with Urgency, Honesty and Outreach.  I believe by embracing this approach, anything is possible.

    Speech Mary Jo Tobin gave to the ACC (NYC Animal shelter system) board members below.  Photo by Mark Ross.

    If knowing thousands of animals are killed each year in the ACC doesn’t hurt you, then on behalf of all those animals that left the shelter frozen in black plastic bags, I’d ask that you resign.

    If you can’t BOAST about the extraordinary work you have done to improve conditions, raise funds and increase adoptions, then on behalf of all the animals that went from healthy to super sick and then dead, I’d ask you to resign.

    If you aren’t working really hard to come up with innovative, outside the box ways to increase public awareness as to the dire situation that exists within our shelter system, then, on behalf of all the animals whose behaviors were changed from mild to severe, just so they could be killed for a reason other than space, I say to you, please resign.

    If you can say you have walked through the shelter and looked into the eyes of the desperate pets struggling to survive, begging for attention, and that you weren’t moved, then on behalf of the ones who purred and wagged their tails until the bitter end, I’d like to ask you to resign immediately.

    If you can’t list 50 companies/individuals that you approached soliciting funding for ACC in the past year or during your tenure, then on behalf of the dogs that were dragged down the hall to a death they knew was coming, I’d like to ask you to resign immediately.

    Having a board filled with weak, indifferent members repeatedly showing up at these meetings lacking ideas, promise and enthusiasm can no longer be tolerated.  This board MUST be comprised of leaders who have made great things happen for shelter pets —- like the folks in this audience!  WE need a board consisting of spunky people with the highest integrity who understand what a crucial role they play in the fight for better conditions, not people who continue to be satisfied with the filth and death that is the reality of our shelter pets. 

    There is no shame in resigning, only shame in continuing to do nothing at the expense of the animals!  Don’t let your ego keep you on this board.  If you are not an animal lover who hurts deeply because of the suffering of our shelter pets then you really are not suited for this board. 

    There is no shortage of qualified, ambitious and hopeful candidates ready, willing and aching to take your place.  I have tremendous respect and hope for the ACC.  I’d take great joy in seeing the ACC become a model for other cities across the country, but that can only happen if the DOH and Mayor Mike embrace the ideas of finally operating with Urgency, Honesty and Outreach.  I believe by embracing this approach, anything is possible.