Near the end of February, the Town of Hempstead Animal Shelter received the in more than 30 categories in two inspection reports handed down by the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets.
According to the town, both state reports – the Dog Control Officer Inspection Report and the Municipal Shelter Inspection Report – gave the shelter "satisfactory" ratings in nearly three dozen categories, which include cleanliness, veterinary care and handling.
While there were no cited deficiencies in either report, town residents still feel the shelter is being inadequately run.
Less than one week later, Lucille DeFina, one of three Animal Shelter volunteers who filed a against the Town of Hempstead, wrote a letter to the editor claiming that the inspections are "almost impossible to fail," and that the town knew ahead of time that the inspections were going to happen.
Residents immediately began commenting on DeFina's letter in support of her cause.
The shelter has been the site of several in the last year, where residents have voiced their concerns about bloated salaries, inefficient budget management, alleged animal neglect and abuse and corruption.
