PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Christina, Independent Rescuer and Colony Caretaker from Graves End, Brooklyn
4:55:13
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93 sec
Christina, an independent cat rescuer from Graves End, Brooklyn, testifies about the challenges faced by volunteer rescuers in managing stray and abandoned cats. She emphasizes the financial strain of providing care without adequate low-cost resources and urges the city council to fund affordable spay/neuter services and support for rescuers.
- Highlights the gap between the city's animal welfare efforts and the limited availability of low-cost spay/neuter programs
- Stresses the financial burden on individual rescuers who pay out-of-pocket for animal care
- Calls for high-volume, low-cost spay/neuter services and increased support for rescuers and pet owners
Christina
4:55:13
Good afternoon.
4:55:14
My name is Christina, and I am an independent rescuer and a colony care taker from Graves in Brooklyn in District 47.
4:55:21
I began rescuing cats after the pandemic when I saw the alarming number stray and abandoned cats in my neighborhood.
4:55:26
What began as a simple effort to help has become a significant part of my life but it's important to emphasize that this is volunteer work, not my full time job.
4:55:34
Like many other individual rescuers, I do this out of compassion on top of my other responsibilities.
4:55:40
While the city has made strides in animal welfare, the reality is that there are limited low cost space and new programs available.
4:55:47
This gap leaves rescuers, many of whom are working on their own and paying out of pocket with an overwhelming financial strain.
4:55:54
Spaying and neutering is essential to managing the population of community cats, but without affordable resources, it's difficult to keep up.
4:56:01
The cost of procedures, medication, ongoing care, quickly pile up, leaving rescuers financially strained.
4:56:08
In addition, we are taking responsibility for the care of abandoned friendly cats for the pets left behind to fend for themselves.
4:56:14
These animals require urgent help, but the financial burden of caring for them falls heavily on individual risk rescuers like myself with limited resources.
4:56:23
I urge the city council to fund high volume, no to law cost, low cost stay and meter services, and provide more support to rescuers and pet owners in the city.
4:56:32
Community cats and abandoned pets need care, and individuals like myself who are stepping up to assist are doing our best, but we need more support.
4:56:40
This would not only help individual rescuers, but also improve the overall quality of life for both the animals and our communities.
4:56:46
Thank you.