CNY SPCA Splits Leadership After Neglect Reports
Pet owners and donors in the Syracuse area should watch how the shelter's three new directors handle care and oversight.
Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Pet Health
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The Central New York SPCA has installed a new three-director leadership team to run operations, animal welfare enforcement, and veterinary care. The change follows the resignation of the previous board at the end of January 2026, after employees reported animal neglect at the organization's DeWitt shelter.
Why it matters
For Syracuse-area families who surrender pets, adopt, or donate to the shelter, the reorganization signals a new effort to restore confidence in how animals are cared for. The board says splitting responsibilities among specialists is meant to improve accountability and transparency after staff turnover and allegations of mistreatment under the prior leadership.
The Central New York SPCA admits about 1,000 animals each year at its shelter at 5878 E. Molloy Road in DeWitt. Employees cited overcrowding, frozen water bowls, and broken kennels when about a dozen staff and volunteers protested on January 27.
The players
Central New York SPCA
A Syracuse-area animal shelter serving the region for more than 130 years, which admits about 1,000 animals annually.
Danielle Basciano
The new director of operations, with more than 25 years of animal welfare and nonprofit experience, who grew PAWS of CNY from a small group to more than 200 volunteers.
Sarah LoGiudice
The new director of animal welfare services, bringing more than 15 years of criminal justice and public safety experience, including probation work in Onondaga County.
Dr. Gretchen M. Jeitler
The new medical director, with more than 15 years of veterinary experience overseeing shelter medical care.
The details
The new structure replaces a single executive director with three leaders: Danielle Basciano as director of operations, Sarah LoGiudice as director of animal welfare services, and Dr. Gretchen M. Jeitler as medical director. Each leader is responsible for their own field, while the board handles governance, strategic direction, and financial oversight and supports the leadership team. The board took over responsibility in February 2026 after the prior board resigned at the end of January.
Timeline
End of January 2026: The previous board resigned after employee reports of neglect.
January 27, 2026: Employees and volunteers protested outside the DeWitt shelter.
February 2026: The new board assumed responsibility for the organization.
November 2, 2026: The SPCA issued a news release announcing the new leadership team.
The Home Front
The shift from a single executive to a divided leadership model reflects a broader push among nonprofit shelters to tie governance to specialized animal care. For pet owners in the region, it is one more reason to weigh a shelter's leadership stability and welfare record alongside its adoption fees.
If you are considering adopting, surrendering, or volunteering, ask the shelter directly about its current staffing, veterinary oversight, and conditions before committing. Keep your own pet's medical records and vaccination history organized so you can share them quickly with any shelter, vet, or boarding facility.
The takeaway
Leadership changes at animal shelters can signal real shifts in care, so it is worth watching how the Central New York SPCA performs over the coming months. Before volunteering or donating, ask about veterinary oversight and how staff concerns are handled.
Further reading
For more on keeping animals healthy, explore our Pet Health coverage.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Syracuse.
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