The Paul A. Vallone Queens Animal Care Center, located at 19-06 Flushing Ave. in Ridgewood, marked its first official opening day on Tuesday, Sept. 10 with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.
Paul Vallone advocated for the creation of animal shelters in every borough while representing City Council District 19 neighborhoods, and the ribbon cutting highlighted the legislator’s legacy.
The former council member and deputy commissioner for external affairs at the New York City Department of Veterans Services (DVS) championed animal welfare and improving conditions for animals across the city.
Sadly, Vallone did not live to see the facility completed after he passed away unexpectedly in January. However, The Vallone family carried on his compassion for animals and showed their unwavering support at the ribbon-cutting.
“Seeing my husband’s name on this building brings many emotions, but most of all, we are so proud of him and what he’s been able to accomplish,” said Anna-Marie Vallone, wife of the late Paul Vallone. “This building will continue to spread the gift of unconditional love to animals and families for generations to come.”
The Vallone family thanked NYC Health, Animal Care Centers of NYC (ACC) and fellow shelter supporters who helped make Paul’s vision come to life.
“With heartfelt gratitude, our family has wanted a shelter in every borough for so many years, and Paul was able to make this a reality,” Anna-Marie said, adding that the family still misses him every day.
The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene joined ACC on a momentous day, further expounding on Paul Vallone’s influence as a staunch animal advocate.
NYC Health Commissioner Dr. Ashwin Vasan recognized the tireless efforts of the city agency, ACC and supporters who attended this facility’s official opening.
“This project, the Paul A Vallone Animal Care Center of Queens and New York City, is 25 years of work. It represents 25 years of advocacy, 25 years of effort,” Vasan said. “I’m just so proud that our department and our city can be a small part of honoring Paul’s legacy permanently here in Queens.”
Joining the city officials were Department of Veterans Services Commissioner James Hendon and Council Member Lynn Schulman, both of whom spoke about the profound impact Vallone had on everyone who knew him.
“This is such an amazing place to have,” said Schulman. “This is very personal to me because Paul was a good friend and Paul was someone who helped me chart my course in elected politics in Queens.”
ACC President and Chief Executive Officer Risa Weinstock, who played a major role in bringing the new center to Queens, shared how her close relationship with the Vallone family will live on in the many animals that can now find a new home.
“It is a special honor for ACC to have this magnificent building named for the late Paul A. Vallone, a dedicated advocate for both animals and this community, and a champion of ACC.”
Weinstock expressed her heartfelt gratitude to the Vallone family and took a moment to acknowledge the new staff and volunteers at the care center, who are now entrusted with the important task of caring for the many animals in need.
“These are unbelievable people who I have gotten to know even better because there’s so much space here, and you can see everybody walking around and enjoying this beautiful building and each other,” Weinstock added.
The brand-new 50,000-square-foot facility is meant to house hundreds of pets, including rabbits and guinea pigs. According to the ACC, up to 72 dogs, 110 cats and other household pets can comfortably fill the space at the new shelter, but it has since housed more than expected numbers.
A soft launch of the shelter, prompted by the closure of the Brooklyn ACC location, led to overcrowding within just three weeks.
Reports of questionable conditions at the shelter, including allegations of dogs being left in unsanitary environments, surfaced from sources with access to the facility and quickly made headlines.
Council Member Robert Holden raised concerns early on, prompting him to personally tour the site.
Holden recognized that unsanitary conditions are unacceptable for pets, but acknowledged that the shelter is already under significant strain due to the high number of neglected animals it is taking in.
According to ACC, the Ridgewood facility is unique among city shelters due to its custom design. Unlike other shelters, which were not purpose-built, this site was constructed specifically as an animal care facility. One standout feature is its retractable roof, which allows fresh air to circulate and provides indoor pets with outdoor air exposure.
The project, which cost $75 million, included extensive site cleanup as part of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Brownfield Cleanup Program, ACC revealed during the care center’s opening.
A walk-through of the facility highlights the capabilities of a fully staffed animal care center when equipped with the right resources. However, the ongoing challenges facing shelters citywide continue to push this multi-million-dollar facility to its limits.
When the Ridgewood Times toured the facility, there were no signs of neglect or poor conditions, despite what initial reports from other outlets described. Most of the dogs at the center were large and highly reactive to new visitors, particularly to the photographers on the tour.
Meanwhile, on the second level, cats and kittens found a more peaceful refuge. A community space for the cats is visible at the top of the spiral staircase, though only a few cats were seen occupying the area during the tour.
Controlled environments for cats behind closed doors and in their kennels allow guests to view the furry felines, which the Vallone family viewed first-hand.
Another section of the center shows some of the cats and kittens still undergoing medical treatments from in-house veterinarians. Those cats, varying in age, are in open view and behind clear glass for potential adopters.
The center’s outdoor area is mostly for the dogs. Around the back of the facility and through a locked gate are three enclosed spaces where animal care specialists can interact with the pets.
Amidst the pets—some content, others visibly distressed by their circumstances—the presence of numerous ACC workers provided a reassuring sense that each animal was receiving the care and support it needed.
It is hard to say how the staff manages the strong odors commonly found in animal shelters caused by the mix of dogs and other animals. Fortunately, during the RT tour, the smell was contained to specific areas and did not spread throughout the rest of the facility.
Regardless of the work, it is clear that the employees at ACC focus more on helping the animals at the center rather than letting the dirty parts of the job get in the way.
In his remarks, Department of Veterans Services Commissioner Hendon best summarized the mission of the new facility and how it will continue to tie into Vallone’s legacy with a quote from Henry Bergh, the founder of the American Society for the Prevention of Animal Cruelty (ASPCA).
“Mercy to animals means mercy to mankind.”
