PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Marlan Roberts, Executive Director of New York Lifesaving Center at Best Friends Animal Society
3:51:17
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139 sec
Marlan Roberts, Executive Director of Best Friends Animal Society's New York City Life Saving Center, testified in support of Animal Care Centers of NYC (ACC). She highlighted Best Friends' contributions to ACC, including grants and adoption event sponsorships, and emphasized the need for continued funding to address challenges faced by ACC due to high animal surrender rates.
- Best Friends provided a $150,000 grant to ACC over two years for the Wheels of Hope program, facilitating 650 animal transfers annually.
- The organization sponsored adoption events, covering fees for over 100 dogs and cats finding homes.
- Roberts stressed the importance of additional funding for ACC to expand services and save more animals, given the rising cost of living and veterinary care leading to increased pet surrenders.
Marlan Roberts
3:51:17
Thank you.
3:51:18
My name is Lauren Roberts, and I'm the executive director of Best Friends Animal Society's New York City Life Saving Center in Lower Manhattan.
3:51:26
It's the privilege to stand be to be before you all today, especially after witnessing the grand opening of the Paul a Malone Queen's Animal Care Center.
3:51:34
The center truly exemplifies a strong commitment to its 4 legged residents and their human families.
3:51:39
And I extend my heartfelt gratitude to their dedicated staff and volunteers as well as all the organizations that support their success.
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Best friends at animal society is a leading animal welfare organization with the mission to end the killing of dogs and cats and America shelters by 2025.
3:51:54
Our reach extends nationwide with a significant local impact here in New York City.
3:51:59
We work with animal care centers of New York City in several impactful ways.
3:52:03
Best France provides a $150,000 grant to ACC, New York City over a 2 year period.
3:52:09
Supporting the facilitation of 650 animals annually to rescue partners to help ease their capacity challenges, also known as the Wheels of Hope program.
3:52:18
We sponsored this year 2 off-site adoption events covering all adoption fees for ACC which resulted in over 100 dogs and cats finding living homes, and we are committed to continuing this support in 2025.
3:52:31
Additionally, we pulled directly from animal care and control centers capacity to our center in New York City.
3:52:38
I'm here today in strong support of animal care centers of New York City, the largest animal shelter in our city.
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This which is on track to achieving a remarkable 90% 90% save rate for the animals in their care.
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This despite their success, the shelter faces ongoing challenges due to the high number of animals being surrendered.
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Families are often forced to make the difficult decision to give up their pets due to the rising cost of living, veterinary care, and other financial pressures.
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This situation places increased demands on ACCs and families already strained resources.
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With ACCs facility oriented capacity, we urgently seek that the the council continue to allocate additional funding to CCs, New York City, and the community funded services.
3:53:22
By doing so, you will be supporting a vital institution dedicated to the welfare of both animals and people and helping to make a significant positive impact in our community.
3:53:29
Continue financial support when will enable the shelter and the community to expand their services.
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And save even more animals.
3:53:36
Thank you.
Lynn C. Schulman
3:53:37
Thank you.