REMARKS
Concerns about shelter overcrowding and lack of spay/neuter services
1:44:35
·
81 sec
Council Member Holden addresses the issues of overcrowding in animal shelters and the lack of sufficient spay/neuter services in New York City. He criticizes the city's response to these problems, especially in light of increased animal surrenders following the pandemic.
- Holden points out that ACC's contract and budget haven't been adjusted to meet increased needs post-pandemic
- He emphasizes the importance of aggressive spay/neuter programs to reduce shelter overcrowding
- The council member expresses frustration that local rescue groups and advocates are left to handle these issues with little support from the city
Robert F. Holden
1:44:35
But it seems to me that ACC has a contract and they, you know, it's a fixed amount.
1:44:40
But there's no, like, coming out of the pandemic, we knew that people more people are surrendering their animals to ACC.
1:44:48
That's a given.
1:44:49
And you you know, I've spoken to to the president of livestock on this, and and I visited the shelters, and I've seen what they're up against.
1:44:59
I mean, they're on the same team as everyone out there.
1:45:01
We're trying to help our pets and animals.
1:45:05
But I just don't feel that there's enough support, and there was no think you know, like, nobody sat down apparently with and and let's say, we gotta adjust the budget on this for Spain neutering because, you know, that's that'll help on the back end in the shelters.
1:45:21
Once we we we do an aggressive spray in neutering and the chair mentioned this, then we wouldn't wouldn't have overcrowded shelters.
1:45:28
So that's the investment that needs to be made, but it's the it's the advocates that are left holding the bag.
1:45:35
And it and it's and it's sad, and it keeps going on.
1:45:37
Nothing changes.
1:45:39
I've been doing this 7 years, like I said indeed before.
1:45:42
I worked I have a lot of groups in my in my district that they give their entire basements over to rescues, and they have to now find Spain and neutering or funded, you know, by raising money, but the city doesn't really help.