It’s time for D.C. to lead the way on humane animal welfare.
D.C. Watchdogs works to ensure that shelter animals, staff, and community members get the resources they deserve through public education and accountability.
We are a group of volunteers and animal lovers who envision well-resourced, compassionately-led animal shelters that prioritize humane care of animals, celebration of staff and volunteers, and provision of accessible services in the nation’s capital.
What we do…
We are volunteers
We provide and maintain a tip line for city residents to report animal cruelty or strays and provide assistance to those in need of help with such animals to ensure they are given proper care.
We are advocates
We identify, draft, and promote legislation to the council that will make D.C. a more animal-friendly city. We have been involved with the fight to reform the dangerous dog code, make housing more pet-friendly, and improve the city services contract.
We are watchdogs
Above all else, our responsibility is to monitor and document conditions at D.C. animal shelters to ensure adequate enrichment, healthcare, and a commitment to the principles of “no-kill.”
Our Concerns
Shelter Conditions
There has been a steady decline in HRA's provision of care at both facilities, which has led to animals living in inhumane conditions.
Intakes and Public Services
HRA is failing to fulfill its open access mandate and is exacerbating issues by not providing accessible pet health services.
Euthanasia Practices
HRA has instituted new policies that promote inconsistent and increased use of euthanasia, often for minor or manageable issues.
“It is heartbreaking – some of the dogs can’t turn around in their crates, some of them have no linens in them. The ones that have a washcloth or a hand towel, it’s usually soaked in urine. It’s covered in feces, they don’t have water. It is impossible to take them outside on hot days because they’re surrounded by the parking lot.”
— DCist Report on Conditions at HRA Shelter
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