AGENCY TESTIMONY
Introduction to the Mayor's Office of Animal Welfare
0:10:58
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63 sec
Alexandra Silver introduces herself as the director of the Mayor's Office of Animal Welfare and provides background on the office's establishment and role.
- The Mayor's Office of Animal Welfare has existed since 2020, making NYC the first city with such an office
- The office elevates animal welfare considerations in city government
- It connects with agencies across the city on issues affecting animals and people
Alexandra Silver
0:10:58
I am grateful to the city council for recognizing that animal rescue is a significant subject worthy of government's attention and I thank you for the opportunity to speak today.
0:11:11
New York City has had an animal welfare liaison in the mayor's office since 2015 and since 2020, the 1st mayorial office of animal welfare in the country.
0:11:22
By creating this dedicated entity, and I thank council member Brandon for his bill calling for it and the council for their support, we have elevated animal welfare considerations in city government and can stand as a model for other municipalities.
0:11:38
There is much potential for growth, but I am heartened by this office's ability to connect with agencies across the city on a wide variety of issues affecting animals, and by extension affecting people.
0:11:51
The well-being of animals does not exist in a vacuum.
0:11:56
It is both impacted by and impacts many factors, and it is linked with the well-being of people.
