Report by the Office of the D.C. Auditor HRA.Animal.Shelter.Contract (PDF)

From the Office of the D.C. Auditor:

“In the last two years the Humane Rescue Alliance (HRA) contracted with the D.C. Department of Health (DC Health) to provide animal shelters and animal control in D.C. the agency did not maintain proper control over contract deliverables— a lack of oversight that impacted animal care, shelter inspections, finances, spay/neuter capabilities, and dangerous dog investigations, according to a new report by the Office of the D.C. Auditor (ODCA).

In 2023, HRA volunteers and former employees formed the group called HRA Volunteers for Reform that went public alleging the mistreatment of animals at the two HRA shelters. The group contacted ODCA to report potential contract violations prompting the discretionary audit to determine if DC Health was ensuring that HRA adhered to terms of the animal care and control contract.

“During the audit period DC Health ended the contract with HRA and replaced the contract administrator among other steps to address concerns raised by advocates and confirmed in our review,” D.C. Auditor Kathy Patterson said. She noted DC Health, in written comments on the report, agreed with the audit findings and recommendations and committed to ensuring future contract compliance. “We will follow up with DC Health to ensure that the promised improvements in contract oversight are in place,” Patterson said.

ODCA’s review included interviews with stakeholders and reviewing reports from HRA to DC Health during the audit scope, March 2023 through September 2024. The audit team also conducted four visits to the city’s two animal care facilities—1201 New York Avenue NE and 71 Oglethorpe Street NW, three unannounced. During each site visit, the audit team took photographs and recorded observations included in the report.

ODCA’ s findings include: (more…)