Animal Politics: Troubling Allegations of Medication Misuse at NYC Animal Care Centers
Trazodone and Gabapentin Allegedly Used to Mask Behavior Issues, Sometimes Leading to Euthanasia
Buried below the fold of my recent article “The Use of Trazodone and Gabapentin in Shelter Animals”, was a troubling report that the use of these drugs at Animal Care Centers of New York City (ACC/NYC) had increased at an alarming rate - and staff may have become overly reliant on these drugs in managing undesirable canine behavior.
It's important to note that these allegations are specific to the use of medications in a shelter setting, and do not reflect on the proper use of medications prescribed by veterinarians for owned pets.
During my tenure as Executive Director at ACC/NYC, Brian Kilcommons, an internationally renowned dog behavior expert, and I made efforts to address behavioral issues by implementing enrichment programs, staff training, and expanded volunteer engagement. However, I’m told there is little evidence that any of those efforts survived, allowing problematic practices to resurface.
Several requests to the ACC/NYC Board of Directors and Executive Director for comment have gone answered. However, I have heard from City Council Member Gale Brewer's office that there will be a Health Committee Oversight Hearing on June 11th regarding ACC/NYC. The hearing will streamed live at https://council.nyc.gov/.
Following my previous article, additional concerns have been brought to my attention. Amidst the many challenges that animal shelters encounter in managing stress in dogs, sources report a troubling trend: the routine use of drugs to mask undesirable behavior in order to help facilitate the adoption of difficult dogs.
Moreover, my sources indicate that if a medicated dog fails to get adopted and then presents with any of the many side effects induced by these drugs, the animal may be labeled "sick" and euthanized. Side effects include drowsiness, sedation, confusion, restlessness, aggression, vomiting, diarrhea, decreased appetite, elevated heart rate, muscle tremors, or seizures. If substantiated, these allegations would signify an egregious misuse of medications and raise significant ethical concerns.
One NYC animal rescuer expressed it this way, "The use of trazodone has become very popular in shelters and veterinary clinics. But is it best for shelter dogs? A pet has 24/7 supervision in a relaxed home environment with love and support. A shelter dog has little supervision, is in a confined space with lots of commotion, odors, and noise. How does that affect the use of the drug? Is it causing more harm? I think it creates the perfect storm to justify euthanasia at the dogs expense.”
If true, these allegations highlight an urgent need for further investigation and oversight to ensure responsible use of these medications. I am not suggesting these drugs should not be used; nor am I suggesting they are being misused, but I am categorically stating they should not be abused as a herd management tool.
For further corroboration, I received a message from another NYC rescuer lamenting the fate of a dog named Pop Tart (Animal ID#197666) a two-year old, male dog described as “Murdered by Manhattan ACC 4/21/24” and “Drugged to the Eyeballs” with Gabapentin and Trazodone. “Pop Tart was put to sleep for behavior which I feel was directly caused by the Trazodone and other medications he was on.” While these allegations remain unconfirmed, they are nonetheless deeply troubling and warrant immediate attention.
As a former shelter director myself, I understand the challenges of managing a high-volume facility with limited resources. However, these allegations, if substantiated, represent a clear violation of the trust placed in animal shelters to protect and care for the most vulnerable members of our society.
It is crucial that the ACC/NYC leadership takes these concerns seriously and conducts a thorough investigation into the use of Trazodone, Gabapentin, and any other medications within their facilities. As an organization dedicated to providing the highest standard of care for animals, investigating these serious claims aligns with their core mission and values. Transparency and accountability are essential in maintaining the public's trust and demonstrating a commitment to ethical practices. I am available to provide any assistance that may be helpful in facilitating this investigation.
Furthermore, I would urge the ACC/NYC leadership to prioritize evidence-based behavioral modification programs, staff training, and volunteer engagement to address the root causes of behavioral issues in shelter dogs. Relying solely, or primarily, on pharmacological interventions is not a sustainable or ethical solution.
As animal welfare professionals, we have a moral obligation to put the well-being of the animals first and to uphold the highest standards of care. Transparency throughout this process is essential - the public deserves to know what steps are being taken to address these serious allegations and ensure the proper care of shelter animals in NYC.
PS: Similar concerns surfaced in other parts of the country in addition to the disturbing reports about ACC/NYC. While this article is focused on the situation in New York, it is important to acknowledge that this issue may extend well beyond that region.
Ed Boks is a former Executive Director of the New York City, Los Angeles, and Maricopa County Animal Care & Control Departments. He is available for consultations. His work has been published in the LA Times, New York Times, Newsweek, Real Clear Policy, Sentient Media, and now on Animal Politics with Ed Boks.
Another issue with ACC giving out these drugs like candy is that there's no monitoring or follow up. For example, what effect (positive or negative) is the drug having on each animal? Is the animal's behavior, energy level, etc worsening or seemingly improving? You can't just give out these psy-meds without any kind of monitoring protocols.
Ed I think it gets down to lack of staff to deal with these situations. I