CNY SPCA Names New Leadership Team

The Central New York SPCA has appointed three directors to oversee operations, animal welfare enforcement, and veterinary care after its prior board resigned.

Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Pet Health

Economist-geometric style illustration of a plain brick civic building facade with a bare flagpole under an overcast sky. — The Central New York SPCA named three new directors to run operations, animal welfare enforcement, and veterinary care after its prior board resigned at the end of January. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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The Central New York SPCA has established a new leadership team that divides responsibilities among three directors. The organization's previous board resigned at the end of January 2026 after employees reported animal neglect at the shelter.

Why it matters

The shake-up follows employee allegations of overcrowding, frozen water bowls, and broken kennels at the DeWitt shelter, placing the organization's care standards under public scrutiny. For Syracuse-area residents who rely on the shelter for pet adoption and animal services, the new structure is intended to improve accountability and transparency.

The shelter admits about 1,000 animals each year, according to the organization. About a dozen employees and volunteers protested outside the DeWitt shelter on January 27, citing overcrowding and neglect, and it is not stated whether those complaints have been formally reviewed.

The players

Central New York SPCA

A regional animal welfare organization that has served Central New York for more than 130 years and admits about 1,000 animals annually.

Danielle Basciano

Named director of operations, she has more than 25 years of experience in animal welfare and nonprofit work and previously grew PAWS of CNY from a small group to more than 200 volunteers.

Sarah LoGiudice

Named director of animal welfare services, she brings more than 15 years of criminal justice and public safety experience, including probation work in Onondaga County.

Dr. Gretchen M. Jeitler

Named medical director, she has more than 15 years of veterinary experience overseeing animal health care.

The details

The three new leaders are Danielle Basciano as director of operations, Sarah LoGiudice as director of animal welfare services, and Dr. Gretchen M. Jeitler as medical director. The board said it assumed responsibility in February 2026 and will oversee governance, strategic direction, and financial responsibilities while supporting the leadership team.

End of January 2026: Previous board resigned after employee reports of animal neglect.
January 27, 2026: Employees and volunteers protested outside the shelter at 5878 E. Molloy Road in DeWitt.
February 2026: New board assumed responsibility for the organization.
November 2, 2026: SPCA released the announcement of the new leadership team.

Culture Shift

The reorganization reflects a growing expectation that nonprofit animal shelters separate operational, welfare-enforcement, and veterinary responsibilities under distinct accountable leaders. Central New York's shelter is responding to internal staff complaints rather than a formal regulatory order, a pattern that puts employee reports at the center of local shelter oversight.

Residents considering adoption or surrender of pets in the Central New York area may see changes in shelter operations as the new directors take over. Pet owners relying on the DeWitt shelter should watch for announced updates to intake, veterinary services, and adoption procedures under the new structure.

The takeaway

Oversight of animal shelters often depends on staff willing to raise concerns, so stronger accountability structures can help protect both animals and the people who care for them. Pet owners and donors can judge a shelter's progress by watching whether its leaders publish clear care standards and timely updates.