Photo: Adam Gray / Getty Images News / Getty Images
A new board of directors has officially taken over the Central New York SPCA in DeWitt following a staff protest and allegations of animal neglect against the previous leadership. The shelter, which has served the region for more than 130 years, saw its entire former board resign last week after employees and volunteers walked out and publicly demanded change.
The protest, held outside the shelter at 5878 East Molloy Road, drew attention to accusations that the former board failed to prevent animal neglect and mismanagement. According to a report from Syracuse.com, protesters carried signs reading, “Shame on you board of abusers” and “Animals can’t speak, we can.” Former Board President Monica Williams initially denied the allegations and said she would not resign, but ultimately, she and the other board members stepped down within twenty-four hours of the protest.
The new five-member board, led by Marcie Marshall and including Nicole Heath, Edward “Eddie” Zaremba, Diane Fitzpatrick, and Jane Senke, announced that it is committed to rebuilding trust and transparency. In a joint statement, the board said, “Our responsibility is significant, and we take it seriously. By working collaboratively with staff, volunteers and community partners, we are committed to ensuring the CNY SPCA continues to serve Central New York for generations to come.” This was echoed in a separate statement to WSYR-TV, where the board emphasized the importance of stabilizing operations and supporting the shelter’s mission.
The Central New York SPCA provides shelter and medical care to stray, abused, and unwanted animals and assists law enforcement with animal cruelty investigations. Financially, it also supports itself through dog control services for local towns like Clay and Manlius. In recent years, the shelter faced other challenges, including a major theft case in 2016 and an investigation by the New York Attorney General’s Office. However, the state’s probe was closed after finding no financial wrongdoing, as reported by Syracuse.com.
The new board has hired nonprofit consultants to guide the transition and is working to restore confidence among employees, volunteers, and the community. For now, the board is focused on stabilizing the shelter’s operations and rebuilding its reputation.