A new report from the Syracuse City Auditor finds that the city is behind on complying with new state requirements for animal shelters.
Auditor Alexander Marion said while the city works with other shelter partners, the New York State Companion Animal Shelter Care Standards Act of 2022 requires municipalities to build their own kennel facility.
“Folks were supposed to be coming into compliance as of December 15th, 2025," Marion said during a press conference in Upper Onondaga Park. "Folks knew this was coming, this didn't come out of the sky. The city's made some good faith efforts, but I think that we need to be mindful about bringing a sense of urgency to getting this done.”
Marion said the city's contract with B&R Bunkhouse ends soon, and without a new agreement, only has 10 spaces available at the Second Chance Shelter in Jamesville. In addition to building 80 kennels, he also recommended moving dog control oversight from police to parks, modernized fees, and better tracking and reporting of stray dogs. Stefanie Heath with the nonprofit dog rescue ‘Cuse Pit Crew’ said Syracuse is no different than other cities.
“Everybody is facing similar issues when it comes to animal sheltering capacity, animal abuse, issues surrounding people in crisis, whether they're losing their apartments from eviction and having to find places for their pets or people who are fleeing domestic violence," she said.
Some residents may have taken in pets from family or friends but then find they can’t properly care for them.
“A lot of these people don't have the money to just go to a vet and pay. It's really expensive," said Nancy Hohler with the spay and neuter program Fixing to Help, which offers reduced-cost services. "And these wonderful families, I've talked to many of them, a lot of them have saved dogs from really bad situations and now they need a little help.”
Auditor Marion's report also recommended other measures to improve the city’s dog control program. They include banning so-called backyard breeders and requiring spaying and neutering procedures for all dogs impounded by dog control.
Meanwhile, the Greater Strathmore Neighborhood Association is holding an inaugural "Pawsitively Strathmore" pet owner resource fair in Upper Onondaga Park Saturday May 23 from 12 to 4 p.m.
