PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Rachel Pousson, Independent Cat Rescuer and Trap Bank Manager for Neighborhood Cats
4:28:39
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136 sec
Rachel Pousson, an independent cat rescuer and trap bank manager for Neighborhood Cats, testifies about the impact of unaffordable veterinary care and spay/neuter services, particularly on seniors. She highlights how these issues can lead to forced surrenders, delayed care, and significant emotional distress for elderly pet owners.
- Pousson emphasizes that seniors often face unique challenges due to limited income, health issues, and lack of transportation.
- She outlines several consequences of inaccessible vet care, including shelter euthanasia, uncontrolled breeding, and neglect of both animal and human health.
- The testimony underscores the intense emotional toll on seniors who may prioritize their pets' needs over their own well-being.
Rachel Pousson
4:28:39
Hello.
4:28:40
My name is Rachel Pousson.
4:28:43
I'm an independent cat rescuer, although I've done a lot of volunteering for neighborhood cats through the years and a few other work organizations as well.
4:28:50
I live in district 33.
4:28:52
Lincoln wrestler is my representative.
4:28:56
I'm also the trap bank manager for neighborhood cats, for those who need traps.
4:29:02
Alright.
4:29:02
I just wanna mention a few things about this whole issue of unaffordable and unavailable, vet care, and Spain neutered, etcetera, etcetera, especially as a in regard to how it affects seniors.
4:29:14
Here's my credential for seniors.
4:29:18
Just to remember, in general, many seniors not all are characterized by limited or fixed income.
4:29:24
Health challenges, be they mental or physical.
4:29:27
Social support issues possibly, transportation limits, So this is a backdrop.
4:29:33
So the problem with Faye Neuter and vet costs could be forced surrender of cats that are a beloved part of this person's family leading to the killing in shelters, which is a horrible thing we all Think of possibly delayed, split space, and neutering services leading to pregnancies, and those many, many kittens that cannot find homes or that die on the streets at a 50% to 75% rate.
4:30:02
Sick cats or dead cats because of that delayed care.
4:30:06
Again, tragedies.
4:30:09
The extreme distress and depression developing among seniors who love their animals or who are devoted to their feral colonies that they care for, and they see the deterioration and they can't do anything about it because they have no resources to fall back on.
4:30:25
Seniors neglecting their own health including medications, nutrition, etcetera, etcetera, or living in worse housing because they're trying to take care of their animals and the ones outdoors as well.
4:30:37
And, you know, that's that's how it goes.
4:30:39
People self sacrifice Just just a couple.
4:30:44
Sure.
4:30:44
Intense loneliness and grief at loss of animals, increased morbidity and mortality and seniors, social isolation, and just great deal of anger over the losses.