ACCT Philly Prepares for Expert Training, Waives All Adoption Fees as Part of #ACCTtotheFuture Adoption Campaign
Philadelphia’s only open-intake shelter announces fee waived adoptions all weekend to prepare for training by national shelter medicine experts. 

PHILADELPHIA — The Animal Care and Control Team of Philadelphia (ACCT Philly) is waiving all adoption fees starting Friday, September 27 through Sunday, September 29 as part of a new #ACCTtotheFuture adoption campaign. As the city’s only open-intake shelter, ACCT takes in more than 18,000 animals annually and serves as both a stray animal holding facility and a pet adoption center. In order to conduct intensive staff training and make major changes to the shelter management procedures, ACCT Philly needs to drastically decrease the number of animals on-site and is asking the public to help by taking advantage of the fee waived adoption event.

“Unfortunately, due to a very difficult summer, we had a lot of turnover in positions that are critical to caring for the animals in our facility. We have filled many vacancies and are supported by dedicated volunteers, but we need to hit the reset button and ensure we are following processes and procedures that will result in the best outcomes for the animals in our care. This is a big step in the right direction for the people and animals at the shelter,” said Adam Bates, Director of Operations for ACCT Philly.

Over the past year, ACCT Philly has faced several challenges. As an open-intake shelter, animals enter in all states of health, injury, and behavior; and ACCT Philly works diligently in partnership with its valued partners to save the vast majority of healthy and treatable animals. Despite the organization’s best efforts, the shelter has continued to operate at or above capacity for some time.

Following up from an initial assessment conducted by Cornell University, national shelter medicine expert Dr. Sandra Newbury and her team at the University of Wisconsin are providing consulting services on a pro bono basis. On September 30 and October 1, the team will help ACCT Philly implement the recommendations from their assessment by conducting intensive training and technical assistance for staff. This training will facilitate the implementation of procedures that will improve shelter operations and reduce the length of stay for its animals and ensure that animals in its care receive top-level care and compassion. During this time, the shelter will be closed to the public except for emergencies.

“Our UW Shelter Medicine team is really excited to be part of helping ACCT Philly realize their goals to improve health and welfare for the animals,” said Dr. Sandra Newbury, Director of the University of Wisconsin Shelter Medicine Program in Madison, WI and Assistant Professor of Shelter Medicine in the School of Veterinary Medicine – Department of Medical Sciences.

Thanks to a generous grant, following this weekend’s #ACCTtotheFuture push and the staff training conducted next week, ACCT Philly will outsource surgeries for several weeks to allow staff the extra support necessary to transition to following best practices, resulting in safer conditions for both the animals and people at the shelter, and a shorter length of stay and better outcome for the animals in the organization’s care.

Members of the public are encouraged to provide a forever home for one of ACCT’s lovable animals or spread the word to family and friends who may be looking for a new addition to their household. Area rescues can also help reduce the shelter population by pulling more ACCT animals for adoption at their facilities. Those not in a position to adopt are encouraged to make a donation and consider the many other ways they can help ACCT Philly.

Adoption event FAQ and B-Roll are available.