PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Representative from Voices for Shelter Animals on Animal Welfare Crisis in NYC
7:18:21
·
3 min
The representative from Voices for Shelter Animals emphasized the severity of the animal welfare crisis in New York City, highlighting the need for immediate action and systemic changes. They called for the establishment of a dedicated animal welfare committee on the city council and a department of animal welfare to address the numerous issues facing animals in the city.
- Advocated for stronger enforcement of animal abandonment laws and a moratorium on backyard breeding
- Highlighted the need for emergency overflow spaces for animals and better support for people facing crises with their pets
- Criticized the current shelter system, particularly the Manhattan shelter, for inadequate care and misleading adoption practices
- Stressed the importance of continuing the dialogue beyond this single hearing to implement meaningful changes
UNKNOWN
7:18:21
voices for shelter animals.
7:18:22
As you've heard, this crisis is out of control.
7:18:24
It's created a mental health crisis.
7:18:27
We need help.
7:18:29
This council, we don't have anything as been said.
7:18:33
These animals in the city have no standing.
7:18:35
We have even asked.
7:18:36
I've been fighting for an animal welfare committee on the city council.
7:18:39
We can't even get that.
7:18:41
We need a department of animal welfare.
7:18:43
This what's what's going on, there's so much cruelty in this city.
7:18:47
Right now, we need a new we need a crackdown on animal abandonment, which is in the law against the law, but we need a special force, a special unit.
7:18:56
This shouldn't be with the police.
7:18:58
We have to send a message because this is really out of control.
7:19:03
We need to have a moratorium as we said before.
7:19:06
We need a moratorium on backyard breeding right now.
7:19:09
We need to have no nonsense laws, and we've never had anything shelter reform for these animals as much as we fought for it.
7:19:17
Everything else has been covered with spend staying new to microchipping, all the things that need that's needed to help the rescues.
7:19:24
But how can we have healthy dogs come in to the Manhattan deplorable shelter, then they get desperately ill.
7:19:33
And then the rescues put on burdens or the rescues on burdens, hey, you take on the financial cost.
7:19:38
You've saved them.
7:19:40
How can this be?
7:19:41
We need emergency overflow spaces right now.
7:19:45
We need we need places.
7:19:48
When you're if you're a homeless person, you've lost everything.
7:19:52
I've seen people on the Internet help.
7:19:54
I've lost everything.
7:19:55
Where are they to go?
7:19:57
The city cannot tell me that we can't get more beds for people in a crisis situation.
7:20:01
We didn't go with pets.
7:20:02
Victims of the domestic violence.
7:20:04
If you get arrested and you have no family member, where is the door going to the kill shelter?
7:20:10
We need the police.
7:20:11
They shouldn't be taking dogs tied to poles into the kill shelter.
7:20:14
We need to have another funnel where these dogs go.
7:20:17
There's so much that needs to be done and that's the opportunity to speak with this, which is the problem.
7:20:22
So I'd like to know after this, can we continue this?
7:20:25
Because this is so much we need an entity to address what's been given you today because something needs to happen but no one has the time and no one has the energy.
7:20:35
Many council members not even interested in this in in this concept.
7:20:39
But right now, to continue, because this is important, we have animals sitting in the shelter right now.
7:20:45
Right now, who are not getting walked, them when they start to deteriorate, but they put in killous.
7:20:51
They give them these bios to make them look unadoptable.
7:20:54
To make them look dangerous.
7:20:56
And then when people get them, they're nothing like the bio.
7:20:59
It's being used against them.
7:21:01
I have people calling me, what is this got to stop.
Lynn C. Schulman
7:21:03
You can you please sum up?
UNKNOWN
7:21:05
Well, I'm summing up that we need an opportunity, so we don't have to sum up.
7:21:09
We need an ongoing dialogue.
7:21:10
We need to coordinate this information.
7:21:12
We need a database.
7:21:14
Some people don't even know what to do.
7:21:16
When they lose an animal.
7:21:17
There is so much needs to be done.
7:21:19
The question is, will we be given an opportunity to adjust this again?
7:21:23
This is not a one oversight hearing.
Lynn C. Schulman
7:21:25
And if we I appreciate that and I appreciate your testimony.
UNKNOWN
7:21:30
But my question is, will this be continued and will this be an organized thing to continue?
7:21:36
Because this is a big thing.
7:21:37
It's not a one shot deal.
Lynn C. Schulman
7:21:39
Yes.
7:21:40
This this hearing is gonna be we're gonna get all the information, and we're gonna figure out what we're gonna do afterwards.
UNKNOWN
7:21:47
So But how do we get involved in the process?
7:21:49
Because, you know, we'd like to be part of the process, not left out of the process.
Gale A. Brewer
7:21:53
We I've I've I've I've
UNKNOWN
7:21:55
been given I have I have a model a a model just election in housing, but I couldn't get anyone to to to to enforce it.
7:22:03
I mean, to work like
Lynn C. Schulman
7:22:04
you're gonna circle back after we go through all the testimony.
7:22:08
We have to wait until testimony is submitted that people have up 72 hours to do that.
7:22:12
And then we're gonna circle back with folks.
7:22:14
So Thank you.
7:22:15
Thank you very much.
UNKNOWN
7:22:16
And I hope we're given an opportunity that we have forums and everything.
Deborah Thomas
7:22:20
Thank you.