PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Allie Taylor, President of Voters for Animal Rights, on Animal Rescue Challenges in NYC
2:40:33
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4 min
Allie Taylor, President of Voters for Animal Rights, testifies about the urgent need for increased funding and support for animal rescue efforts in New York City. She emphasizes the importance of accessible spay/neuter services and affordable veterinary care to address pet overpopulation and reduce strain on volunteer rescuers.
- Highlights the lack of city agency support for immediate animal rescue needs, leaving the responsibility to volunteers
- Calls for substantial and ongoing funding for high-volume, low-cost spay/neuter services and affordable veterinary care
- Compares New York City's per capita spending on animal care ($2.89) to other cities, emphasizing the need for increased investment
Allie Taylor
2:40:33
Thank you, Ali.
2:40:35
Good afternoon.
2:40:36
My name is Ali Taylor, and I serve as the president of voters for animal rights, a volunteer run organization based in New York City.
2:40:43
I also dedicate my time to rescuing cats in my neighborhood in bushwick.
2:40:48
Want to express my sincere gratitude to council member, Schulman, Speaker Adrienne Adams, and the Committee on Health for convening today's important hearing.
2:40:56
And also, thank you to council member, Justin Brandon, for introducing new legislation aimed at tackling the issue of backyard breeders.
2:41:03
This hearing represents a crucial opportunity for the animal rescue community to share our lived experiences and to collaborate with the city council on meaningful pragmatic solutions for both humans and animals.
2:41:16
Today, we will hear from representatives of over 350 animal rescue organizations caring for dogs, cats, rabbits, guinea pigs, wildlife, and more.
2:41:25
We will hear from community cat colony managers, veterinarians, shelter staff, volunteers, and pet parents.
2:41:33
Our collective efforts are driven by a deep commitment to our community, our neighbors, and the animals we share the city with.
2:41:40
Despite our dedication, we face significant challenges.
2:41:43
The high cost of spay neuter procedures and vet care combined with inadequate support from our city government has created a dire situation.
2:41:51
We are urging the New York City Council to invest substantial and ongoing funding for high volume, low cost Spay Neuter Services, and affordable veterinary care for all New Yorkers, including rescuers and pet parents.
2:42:07
Over the past 2 years, many of us involved in animal rescue, particularly those focused on cats, HAVE BEEN GETTING ORGANIZED AND WE'VE BEEN MEETING WITH CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS TO ADVOCATE FOR ACCESSIBLE SPANUDEAU AND VET CARE.
2:42:20
IT IS SURPRISING TO MANY COUNCIL MEMBERS THAT WHEN A CONSTITUATE CALLS THEIR OFFICE SEEKING HELP WITH STRAY CATS, whether they are pregnant, sick, hungry, or cold, there is no city agency available to provide immediate assistance.
2:42:35
Instead, the responsibility falls on volunteers like myself and the others present today.
2:42:40
And this is not a knock on ACC by any means.
2:42:43
They provide brick and mortar shelter services and many other programs, but they do not have the financials and staffing resources to go out into the field and rescue every cat or dog that needs help in that moment.
2:42:57
Instead, consequently, constituents have 3 options.
2:43:02
They can, 1, do nothing and allow the cat to continue suffering and reproducing on the street.
2:43:08
They can address the issue themselves using their own resources, or 3, they can reach out to numerous volunteer run rescuers in hopes of finding help.
2:43:17
We are an under recognized all volunteer workforce providing a vital municipal service without compensation often incur incurring personal financial strain.
2:43:27
This system is unsustainable.
2:43:30
Imagine instructing city workers to maintain clean streets and repair potholes but without pay and with only their personal funds and equipment to use.
2:43:38
This is the reality for animal rescuers in New York City.
2:43:42
Additionally,
Lynn C. Schulman
2:43:43
can you just wrap it up?
2:43:44
Yes.
Allie Taylor
2:43:45
Additionally, thousands of compassionate New Yorkers have become certified rescuers yet due to the severe shortage, they are not able to assist effectively.
2:43:57
Expanding this service sorry.
2:43:59
Currently, there are only about 12,000 such appointments available annually and to effectively address the outdoor cat population.
2:44:05
We need at least a 100,000 appointments annually.
2:44:08
And if we were to include low income pet parents as well, that would be 200,000 per year.
2:44:13
For context, New York City's Department of Health allocates only $2.89 per capita for animal care whereas LA invest $10 per capita, Miami Dade $13.70, and Dallas nearly $15.
2:44:29
The city council can make a significant impact by creating incentives for veterinarians to obtain training and high volume Spay Nooter, and by funding the expansion of these services across all boroughs.
2:44:40
I look forward to the day when every one of the 51 city council districts has access to such low cost Spay Nooter and veterinary care clinics.
