Hempstead Town Considering Privatizing Its Animal Shelter

The Town of Hempstead is seeking proposals to privatize, either partially or fully, its animal shelter, which has been a magnet for criticism and complaints of animal abuse for years.

On Friday, the town posted a Request for Qualifications for companies or organizations to take over some or all of the services the shelter provides. The town is seeking "qualified organizations" to help it with providing shelter for animals, picking up strays, helping with adoption services, spaying and neutering animals, helping law enforcement with animal cruelty investigations and more.

According to Newsday, Town Supervisor Laura Gillen said in a memo to Town Board members that she wants to "implement changes in the day-to-day operation of the shelter."

The animal shelter has been facing criticism for years from people who say that animals there are abused and mistreated. The state audited the shelter in 2011, and Nassau County Comptroller Jack Schnirman is in the process of auditing it right now.

According to the town's RFQ, the number of stray cats and dogs keeps increasing, but the funding for the shelter has remained steady. Employees and volunteers are forced to do more with less, and critics say it's the animals that suffer.

In addition to finding a group to help run the shelter, the RFQ is also looking for a group to assess the shelter and help come up with a comprehensive plan to help improve services.

Photo: Patch