A VICTORY FOR LAURIE HOLLYWOOD

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After a 3 ½ Year Battle, False Charges Are Dismissed

We at OPIN, along with many Stamford residents, volunteers and friends of Laurie Hollywood feel fortunate to have had such a skilled, inspiring, dynamic and amazing public servant leading Stamford Animal Control over the course of nine years.  In May 2014, Laurie’s career came to an end.  As the result of a politically motivated effort to oust her, The City of Stamford, CT fired and arrested Laurie on false allegations of reckless endangerment.

After a long 3 ½ year battle, Laurie has finally had her day in court.  For lack of creditable evidence, charges against Laurie were dismissed on Feb. 1, 2018, but not before a City had closed their eyes to their municipal shelter for decades then suddenly used their power to create a dark cloud over homeless pets, volunteers and a woman that tirelessly helped pets and people as she pioneered changes and brought the Magee Avenue facility out of the dark ages. 

In 2005, Laurie found an inefficient shelter in disarray and unbearable conditions for the animals.  Having continually failed State inspections, Laurie worked to improve shelter conditions   She considered adoption, embraced volunteers, provided medical care and removed the time limit policy imposed on the animals in an effort to reduce euthanasia.  As she transformed the shelter, in 2007, Stamford’s then Mayor Malloy approved renaming Animal Control.  It would become known as Animal “Care” & Control to bring more meaning to the facility.  She left the shelter operating efficiently, having gained the trust and respect of the public and left numerous policies and a legacy of a modern shelter philosophy behind.  Today we find City Officials and Staff maintaining the same policies and operating practices Laurie had developed.  Although now referred to as Animal Control & “Care”, for the sake of the animals, we are grateful some of her policies & practices are still being adhered to.

Please read Laurie’s outcome below

http://www.stamfordadvocate.com/policereports/article/Reckless-endangerment-charges-dismissed-against-12544273.php

July 20th Rally: More Honking, More Signatures, More Informed

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Stamford Animal Care and Control

Stamford, CT - Supporters for the humane treatment of homeless animals, a modern, no-kill shelter in Stamford, and  Laurie Hollywood, the woman who brought Stamford Animal Control out of “the dark ages,” were out in force for a second Sunday in front of the Ferguson Library in downtown Stamford.  The sunny afternoon brought no shortage of passers by intrigued as to what all the hubbub was about.  While many ralliers carried signs calling for Stamford politicians to end the bureaucracy that has kept adoptable pets in a state of uncertainty and caged in cells from a bygone era, for many on the street it was a surprise to think a town with a citizenry as well-off and educated as Stamford might return to a format where unwanted pets are treated in the same manner as refuse. 

No Kill Animal Shelter in Stamford CT

As of this writing it can be noted that the city says adoptions are allowed, however when pressed, the policy seems unclear and seems to change daily. Inquiries indicate it’s a case-by-case scenario, where dogs available for adoption are unknown, many dogs are still in limbo, and Stamford Animal Control is still refusing to allow rescue groups to include dogs from the shelter in their list of available pets.

While collecting hundreds of signatures in support of a modern shelter some comments made included, “You mean they will kill dogs there?”, “Dogs aren’t walked?” , “Wow, what do you do when the shelter is full?”  to “Why can’t I adopt a dog now?” and “How can this be going on since May?”.   All excellent questions stop by next Sunday to sign the petition or sign online here - better yet contact the Mayor’s office and tell them it’s been too long and that you are tired of the gears of bureaucracy keeping your city in the dark ages.