PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Megan Salerno, Operations Volunteer at Waggytail Rescue
4:31:02
·
121 sec
Megan Salerno, an operations volunteer for Waggytail Rescue and independent cat rescuer, urges the NYC City Council to invest in low-cost veterinary services to address the cycle of cats and kittens living on the streets and to make pet care more affordable for communities.
- Highlights the financial challenges faced by rescuers and pet owners when dealing with animal care
- Emphasizes the need for high-volume, low-cost spay/neuter services and affordable veterinary care
- Argues that such investments would reduce the number of animals needing homes, make pet ownership more sustainable, and support rescuers in their efforts
Megan Salerno
4:31:02
Good afternoon.
4:31:04
I wanna start by sincerely thanking the council for the opportunity to testify here today.
4:31:09
My name is Megan Salerno, and I'm an operations volunteer for Wagitil Rescue, as well as an independent cat rescuer in my neighborhood in Brooklyn, New York.
4:31:18
I'm here today to urge the council to invest in low cost veterinary services that we can end the cycle of cats and kittens living and dying on our streets and empower our communities to ride all animals with the care and dignity they deserve without fear of a financial burden.
4:31:35
My time and rescue, like so many other rescuers, has been plagued by the question, how much?
4:31:42
When a neighbor found a sick and starving kitten behind their apartment, I was forced to work through how much of my savings I could part with in order to take that kitten to an emergency vet.
4:31:52
When multiple unfixed cats made themselves at home in a local backyard, the homeowner and I nervously calculated how much it would cost to get them spayed and neutered.
4:32:01
And when a box of kittens was found dumped in the park, with a note that made it clear that their former owners had also been haunted by the question, how much?
4:32:09
My rescue and I had to shoulder the time and financial commitment required to give these kittens a chance.
4:32:16
These stories are clearly not unique to my experience.
4:32:19
Rescuers and rescue organizations across the city are regularly having to make tough decisions, but whether they can afford even the most basic vetting for the animals in their care.
4:32:29
With load cost of that options not being able to meet the needs of those in our city, I fear that the answer to the question how much will soon be too much for rescuers like me who just wanna make a difference.
4:32:40
By investing in high volume, low cost bay neuter, and affordable veterinary care, the city council will tackle the animal crisis in our city on multiple fronts.
4:32:49
Low and no cost vetting will reduce the amount of animals in our city that need homes and care.
4:32:54
Will make pet ownership possible and sustainable for the people the council represents and will support rescuers like me and helping as many animals as we can.
4:33:02
Thank you.