PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Animal Welfare Advocate on NYC Animal Shelter Issues
3:37:39
·
3 min
An experienced animal welfare advocate shares their concerns about ongoing issues in NYC animal shelters, particularly the problem of pet abandonment and the need for more spay/neuter services. The speaker emphasizes the importance of responsible pet ownership and calls for creative solutions to increase adoptions and decrease animal intake.
- Highlights the persistent problem of animals being surrendered to shelters, often not spayed or neutered
- Stresses the need for more spay/neuter clinics and affordable veterinary services
- Suggests that NYC, as the largest city in the country, should have better resources to handle animal welfare issues
UNKNOWN
3:37:39
Animal Care Control.
3:37:40
Alright.
3:37:41
What I found most distressing in all my years working there was the public that had no would they have no regard for dumping their animals and then blaming you for the killing that results from it.
3:37:52
Decades later, we still see the same problem.
3:37:55
Animals coming into the shelter that are not spayed and neutered.
3:37:58
If all the shelter and rescued groups are spaying and neutering their animals before drop and then where were all these intact animals coming from?
3:38:06
Are these people that take a chance to adopt from a neighbor or friend?
3:38:10
Then they find out it doesn't work out.
3:38:12
So they bring the animal to the nearest shelter and dump it on the street.
3:38:16
There's no 10, 15 year commitment here.
3:38:18
There's no time invested in the animal's future.
3:38:22
If for a week or 2, they are ready to give up the animal.
3:38:25
These dogs are like foster kids.
3:38:26
They need stability.
3:38:27
The more times the animals are given up, the more time it needs to adjust to its new surroundings.
3:38:32
Why is this happening decades later with no change in sight?
3:38:35
Where are the stats that can tell you the pattern?
3:38:38
Are these so called owners moving into the city?
3:38:41
And then they find out that new place doesn't accept animals, and now they dumped them at the shelter?
3:38:45
I know everyone used to say things like, oh, they're moving or allergic, but I know that's not that's not the truth all the time.
3:38:52
The reality is we cannot adapt, rescue or euthanize our way out of this problem.
3:38:57
Years ago, there were more animals but more cage space.
3:39:00
In New York City, it all comes down to cage space.
3:39:03
But New York City being the biggest city in the country with 6 animal shelters in Manhattan alone, we shouldn't be having this problem.
3:39:11
And yet only barely one shelter in each borough that performs animal control.
3:39:16
We even have yard space in the Manhattan shelter, and I believe the queen shelter where animals can exercise and relieve themselves.
3:39:23
I used to have up to a 100 volunteers, and I will coordinate them and have dogs on schedule.
3:39:29
You can walk the dogs in the neighborhood, in the new queen's neighborhood.
3:39:33
With the dog the best saying the dog is adaptable.
3:39:35
You can meet and greet people in your neighborhood.
3:39:37
This end you have to be more creative.
3:39:39
You're a new kid on the block.
3:39:43
What is needed is a Spain noodle clinic.
3:39:45
Years ago, when you advocated for Spain noodle clinic, they said, oh, they're gonna take the bills away from local beds.
3:39:51
I walked into a bed.
3:39:53
It cost me $80 plus before even doing anything.
3:39:57
We have dog dogs popping up where the dogs, the shelter has to be more creative in the foot traffic, find ways to increase adoption while at the same time, decrease your animal intake.
3:40:09
And lastly, you worry about euthanasia.
3:40:11
Nobody knows what it's like.
3:40:13
When I used to work at the shelter, I had it turning in my stomach every day.
3:40:17
I had it to use the nature.
3:40:19
The pressure was enough, but, you know, you gotta save your soul.
3:40:23
I'm trying to skip here now.
3:40:26
TNR could just summarize, but Yeah.
3:40:29
TNR is important.
3:40:31
Euthanasia can't solve the problem.
3:40:33
It's not the only solution.
3:40:35
But, basically, the bottom line is we need to stay in New York City because we are the greatest city in the world.
3:40:43
We should not be having this problem.
3:40:44
Okay.
3:40:45
And like I said, 6 shelters in New York City alone.
3:40:48
Nothing in Queensland.
3:40:49
I'm living here.
3:40:51
I'm 72.
3:40:51
I'm gonna be living 65 years in the same house in Queens.
Lynn C. Schulman
3:40:56
We just opened ACC, just opened shelter in India.
UNKNOWN
3:40:59
I know.
3:40:59
I know.
Lynn C. Schulman
3:41:00
You know.
3:41:01
Anyway, thank you very much.
UNKNOWN
3:41:02
Sure.
3:41:02
Let me thank you.
3:41:04
Mail your copy.
3:41:05
Thank you.
3:41:05
Okay.