Est. 2006
From a press release:
“Today, a concerned group of 80+ shelter volunteers and citizens announced the formation of DC Watchdogs, an independent observer of DC’s animal shelter system, ahead of the Brandywine Valley SPCA’s takeover over DC’s Animal Care and Control contract on January 1, 2025. The group’s mission includes:
Monitoring conditions at DC shelters to ensure humane care for animals and accessible public services;
Promoting animal friendly legislation and agency oversight to the DC council; and
Empowering the public with information about local animal welfare issues and opportunities.
BVSPCA will take over the contract from the Humane Rescue Alliance (HRA), which has come under scrutiny for unsanitary and unsafe conditions for animals, staff, and volunteers and for its failure to provide vital services such as public low-cost spay-neuter services to control overpopulation.
DC Watchdogs will monitor operations at BVSPCA and HRA, ensuring the organizations are providing proper care for animals, public low-cost spay/neuter and veterinary programs, transparency around euthanasia decisions, intake of stray animals and owner surrenders, and satisfactory treatment of frontline staff.
The group is cautiously optimistic about BVSPCA’s ability to provide quality animal care services to the city, services that have been missing or substandard for years.
“We hope that under BVSPCA’s leadership, DC’s shelter can provide a safe haven for animals and much-needed services for the public,” said Kate Finman, a member of the group’s steering committee. “The DC community deserves shelters and services that reflect the vitality of this great city and are accessible to all its residents.”
Originating as a group of HRA volunteers, DC Watchdogs will continue to monitor operations at HRA and the DC Council and Department of Health’s oversight of animal control.
HRA will operate as a private rescue outside DC animal control from its location at 71 Oglethorpe Street NW. It will also retain responsibility for Humane Law Enforcement and says it will take in owner surrendered animals in the District.
BVSPCA will occupy the current DC-run shelter at 1201 New York Avenue NE starting January 1, but says it will operate the bulk of its programs from its new location at 4 DC Village Lane SW — a location not easily accessible to most DC residents, raising concerns about volunteer activity and adoption access. There are also plans for a location at 1514-1516 Okie Street in Ivy City for adoptions and other services to be announced.
“We look forward to working with BVSPCA to ensure that shelter animals, staff, and community members get the support they deserve in DC,” said Kirsten Stade, another member of the group’s steering committee. “With the resources available in our nation’s capital, we hope to see, and will advocate for, more compassionate refuge for animals, better services for the public, and fair wages and decent working conditions for staff.
About D.C Watchdogs: D.C. Watchdogs works to ensure that shelter animals, staff, and community members get the resources they deserve through public education and accountability. We envision well-resourced, compassionately-led animal shelters that prioritize humane care of animals, celebration of staff and volunteers, and provision of accessible services in the nation’s capital.”
Rock in the new year DC style
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