REMARKS
Challenges in animal welfare: rising veterinary care costs
0:04:24
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53 sec
Council Member Schulman addresses the significant challenges in animal welfare, focusing on the rising costs of veterinary care and its impact on pet ownership and adoption rates in New York City.
- Contrast between NYC and other cities regarding low-cost spay/neuter programs
- 60% increase in veterinary care costs over the past decade
- Factors contributing to rising costs, including veterinarian and technician shortages
- Financial constraints leading pet owners to avoid veterinary care
- New York City ranking as the 6th most expensive city to own a dog
Lynn C. Schulman
0:04:24
New York City stands in contrast to other cities and states in the United States who have devoted significant funding to government programs that provide access to low cost bay annuity procedures for both pet owners and rescuers.
0:04:38
Access to low cost and affordable veterinary care is one of the main drivers of pet surrenders and the decline in adoption rates nationwide and in New York City.
0:04:48
According to the New York Times, the cost of veterinary care in the United States has increased by 60% over the past 10 years outpacing inflation.
0:04:57
This is due to various factors such as an increasing shortage of veterinarians and technicians.
0:05:03
A national survey showed that about one third of pet owners report avoiding going to the vet due to financial constraints.
0:05:11
And according to Forbes, New York City ranks number 6, among the most expensive cities to own a dog.
0:05:16
This is not acceptable.