In Livingston County, NY, the  management of the dog shelter will be under the jurisdiction of law enforcement, effective January 2026, we are losing the experienced staff in place and the deputies with zero dog shelter care experience are now responsible for the day to day care of our stray dogs, cleaning kennels, caring for the sick,  rehabilitating and deciding what homes are best, this is certainly setting our at risk k9's up for failure. While our law enforcement have played an integral role in community safety, the management and operation of a dog shelter  and caring for these dogs require a different set of expertise and resources. Allowing the police to oversee/care for abused & neglected dogs, and run the animal shelter can lead to inefficiencies and a lack of specialized care for animals, which can inadvertently affect their wellbeing and chances of adoption.

Animal shelters need specialized staff who are experienced in animal care, behavioral assessment, and veterinary requirements, not police k9 handling, they are 2 very separate worlds. K9 police dogs are born and bred ready to work, 90% of shelter dogs come from poor breeding.  Professionals with backgrounds in animal science, veterinary medicine, and animal behavior are essential to ensure that all animals receive the proper attention and care. This is vital not just for the welfare of the animals but for their successful adoption into forever homes.

Statistics from various regions, where shelters are managed by specialized non-profits or dedicated animal care teams, show higher rates of successful adoptions and lower euthanasia rates. For instance, according to the ASPCA, shelters with trained/experienced rescue based personnel report a 25% increase in adoptions compared to those managed without specialized experience.

Moreover, when managed by organizations or groups with a direct focus on animal welfare, shelters typically benefit from better funding opportunities and volunteer support. This not only enhances the quality of care provided to the animals but also invites more community involvement and helps foster a society that values animals and their rights.

We urge the authorities in Livingston County to transition the management of the dog shelter to a specialized non-profit organization equipped with the required expertise and resources. By doing so, we can ensure that our county's animals are treated with the respect and care they deserve and that the shelter operates efficiently and effectively.

Your voice matters in bringing about this necessary change. Please sign this petition to advocate for better management of the Livingston County dog shelter, where specialized teams can focus solely on the animals’ health and happiness.