PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Candice Kumai, Animal Rescue Volunteer
6:40:13
·
125 sec
Candice Kumai, a volunteer for various cat rescue organizations including NYC ACC and Little Wanderers NYC, testified about the urgent need for accessible spay/neuter and veterinary services in New York City. She shared personal experiences of using low-cost clinics and the challenges faced by rescue volunteers.
- Emphasized the importance of low-cost clinics, citing her own experience of spaying her cat at age 20
- Highlighted the emotional toll on rescue volunteers, describing having to euthanize a cat shortly before appearing on a professional TV segment
- Urged New York to set a "golden standard" for animal rescue and welfare
- Expressed concern about negative media portrayals of cats, dogs, and animal rescue efforts
Candice Kumai
6:40:13
Hi, Lynn.
6:40:14
Hi, Joanne.
6:40:16
I'm Candice Qumai.
6:40:17
I am a volunteer frequently with various cat rescue between NYC ACC and Little Wanders and NYC among many others.
6:40:27
I love spending time getting to know the individuals that are at each of these organizations.
6:40:32
Professionally, I write and report on the Today Show, and for Vogue, Bon appetit, etcetera.
6:40:39
Throughout my years of volunteering, I've seen firsthand the dire need for accessible space, neuter, and veterinary services across New York.
6:40:49
I know this because when I was 20, I used a low cost clinic to stay my own cat, Cece.
6:40:57
I had her for 20 years.
6:40:59
She saved my life numerous times.
6:41:02
I hope that one day when I have a twenty year old daughter that she'd be able to do the same thing here in New York, and experience the love of a companion pet.
6:41:13
Flash to now at 42, I'm going on set to report about health and wellness on the Today Show, and nobody knows that I had just had to euthanize a cat that was in an accident on behalf of one of the rescue groups I'm with.
6:41:29
It is literally hours before some of us step into our professional positions that we have to do this kind of work and put on a brave face every day.
6:41:40
I also urge you to put on that golden standard that we know that New York has to be an example for the rest of the world to follow.
6:41:49
I most recently have read horrible articles in places like New York Magazine, Curved, Vox, the Cut, that exacerbate the situation that all of us in animal rescue are up against.
6:42:02
They write horrible things about cats, dogs, and animal rescue.
6:42:07
And I urge them to really seek out the truth and get to know all of us neighbors together in our community.
6:42:14
Thank you so much for your time.
6:42:16
It really truly means the world to all of us.
