Noida, May 4 -- A group of animal activists and feeders staged a protest on Saturday morning outside the Noida animal shelter in Sector 94, alleging mismanagement and cruelty by the current operator - an NGO appointed by the Noida authority. The protestors demanded better conditions for animals, irrespective of who manages the facility. In response, Noida authority officials dismissed the allegations as "false and baseless". The shelter is currently operated by All Creatures Great and Small (ACGS), which took over in December 2023. It was originally established in 2004 as the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) Noida. The Noida authority assumed control in 2017 and managed the shelter until July 2020. Officials from both ACGS and the Noida authority said the protest was politically motivated. "These are the same people who were earlier managing the shelter but were removed by Noida Authority due to irregularities. They now want to regain control," said Vandana Rawat, shelter manager. "We are efficiently managing the facility, providing food, shelter, and medical care to the animals," she said. SP Singh, general manager of the Noida authority, echoed that sentiment: "The earlier group that had the responsibility of taking care of Sector 94 animal shelter protested on Saturday, alleging the present agency is not doing its job properly. The allegations are false and baseless. The present agency is doing an excellent job and maintaining the shelter properly as per the rules. The old group wants to take over the control of this shelter. And to do that, they are doing this drama." However, animal rights activist Ambika Shukla, trustee of People for Animals (PFA), contested these claims. "The situation of Noida, Sector 94 NGO, is the worst at all times. There is no transparency in how many animals are being brought and how they provide them with medical treatment," she said. Shukla also alleged, "If people are forced to approach private clinics despite the Noida authority initiative, then the NGO should be held accountable." The shelter houses approximately 1,800 animals and employs nearly 70 staffers....