PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Rachael Ziering, Founding Executive Director of Muddy Paws Rescue
2:46:43
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146 sec
Rachael Ziering, Founding Executive Director of Muddy Paws Rescue, testified about their work as a foster-based dog rescue group and ACC partner. She highlighted challenges in spay/neuter services and adoption processes, emphasizing the need for more accessible and efficient systems.
- Muddy Paws Rescue has taken in over 100 dogs from ACC this year, focusing on large dogs and seniors.
- The organization faces difficulties in securing free spay/neuter appointments, often resorting to paying for private surgeries.
- Muddy Paws recently partnered with another rescue group to bring a part-time vet on staff, allowing them to take in more dogs from ACC.
Rachael Ziering
2:46:43
My name is Rachel Zeering, and I'm the founding executive director at Muddy Pause Rescue.
2:46:47
We're a foster based dog rescue group, and we've been a new hope partner, rescue partner for ACC since 2017.
2:46:52
To date this year, we've taken an over a hundred dogs from ACC, twelve dogs from the ASBCA, many of whom originated at ACC and three strays directly from the public.
2:47:00
The majority of these dogs have been large dogs and seniors.
2:47:03
Of the ninety six dogs we've taken from ACC since January 1st, 15 were altered prior to entering the shelter and 23.
Lynn C. Schulman
2:47:09
You don't have to read so quickly.
2:47:11
You can submit We wanna hear what you have to say.
2:47:15
Just summarize it so that we can get the gist of it, and you can submit it because we do we're all gonna pay attention.
Rachael Ziering
2:47:21
Okay.
2:47:22
Of the 96 dogs we've taken from ACC since January 1st, fifteen were altered prior to entering the shelter, and the rest 23 were altered by the shelter, and the rest we altered in our care through private vet clinics or in the last few months using our own clinic.
2:47:35
There are many reasons for this, none of which come back to a lack of care or dedication from any one individual at ACC.
2:47:41
And most of which relate to the Don's health scheduling and the national shortage of vets and vet techs.
2:47:46
Theoretically, we can utilize the a for free ultra surgeries, but trying to get these appointments is much like trying to get concert tickets for Backstreet Boys in the nineties.
2:47:54
For many years, we jumped through all the hoops to secure those appointments, but it wasn't sustainable.
2:47:58
And we concluded that paying $300 to $700 for these altered surgeries at private vet clinics was worth it to reduce the time and energy we were putting in to try and just secure the free appointment.
2:48:07
For a long time, this meant that we had to very carefully pick and choose who we pulled from ACC and give priority to those who are already altered.
2:48:13
In March of this year, we partnered with another rescue group to bring a vet on staff part time, Doctor Miller, who you heard speak before.
2:48:19
And we began doing our own surgeries in house.
2:48:21
And this has allowed us to say yes to far many far more dogs from ACC.
2:48:25
In my opinion, these issues are far more complex than we could ever identify or address in a single hearing, and we would love to be a part a larger scale solution to support New York City Animals, whatever that might look like.
2:48:36
That was the extent of what I had prepared for today, but I'd just like to add in response to some earlier questions about adoption processes.
2:48:42
MoneyPause is a huge proponent of open adoptions and utilizing technology to support open adopt and we love to be a part of any task force or initiative related to this.
2:48:52
We have implemented a registration process versus an application process.
2:48:56
And while changing the verbiage isn't the only important part of this, it has made for a much more welcoming and accessible process for potential adopters.
2:49:04
Thank you to everyone whose boots on the ground at ACC for saving lives daily, and thank you for letting me speak very quickly today.