City: New Entity to Run Glen Cove Animal Shelter

A feud has broken out between the shelter and the mayor that could impact the future of the animals residing there.

The Animal Lovers’ League, a Glen Cove-based animal shelter says the city will terminate its license and that it must leave its facility by Jan 15, 2015.

It’s a scenario that ALL describes as a “hostile takeover,” according to the organization’s Facebook page.

But the City of Glen Cove says it has “increasing concerns about the shelter animals’ safety raised by a growing number of community members,” according to a press release.

City officials say they have been in talks with ALL since September about “critical changes needed to the current operations,” and that Deputy Mayor Barbara Peebles informed the shelter about the new direction the city wants to take to ensure “the welfare and care of the animals” and to boost the likelihood of adoption. Yet adequate information from ALL requested by city officials was not provided, according to the press release.

According to the city, ALL was provided “opportunity to remain as operators of the shelter provided that critical changes would be implemented.” The city also said that the ALL board “voted unanimously to withdraw from the shelter, abandon all the animals and take with them their donated funds estimated to be in excess of $450,000.”

While ALL did not address the issue of money in its Facebook post, it did say that the city is demanding “that all equipment, cages, furniture etc, shall remain the property of the City.” The organization noted that it has retained an attorney to represent its interests. A call to the shelter for clarification was not immediately returned.

Cove Animal Rescue is the new entity that will operate the shelter and consists of “professional community leaders,” according to the city.

After Tuesday’s City Council meeting, ALL President and Co-Founder stated on Facebook that it was unclear “what qualifications” the proposed new leadership has to care for the animals.

The city maintains that in addition to boosting the likelihood for adoptions it aims to increase services and community outreach programs at the shelter.

Meanwhile ALL claims its attorney is working on a strategy to appeal the city’s decision.

Image: Animal Lovers League/Facebook

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