PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Sarah Borok, Representative of City Veterinary Care, on behalf of Dr. Andrew Kaplan
4:06:58
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143 sec
Sarah Borok presents testimony on behalf of Dr. Andrew Kaplan, a veterinarian and founder of the Toby Project. The testimony emphasizes the importance of free and low-cost spay/neuter services and veterinary care for animal welfare in New York City, highlighting the financial benefits to the city and the need for increased funding and support.
- Dr. Kaplan's private practice provides over $350,000 worth of free veterinary care annually to rescue charities.
- The Toby Project has performed over 190,000 spay and neuter surgeries since 2009.
- The testimony calls for a well-funded, large-scale spay/neuter initiative targeting low-income pet owners to prevent shelter overpopulation and reduce city costs.
Sarah Borok (On Behalf of Dr. Andrew Kaplan)
4:06:58
So I'm my name is Sarah Borock, and I am here on behalf of Doctor.
4:07:04
Andrew Kaplan of SEDIVET.
4:07:05
He's one of our partner vets, and I'm gonna read his testimony.
4:07:13
My name is Doctor.
4:07:14
Andrew Kaplan, and I am a licensed veterinarian in the state of New York with over 30 years of professional experience.
4:07:20
I own a private practice on the Upper West side where we provide over $350,000 worth of free veterinary care every year for 35 non profit animal rescue charities.
4:07:33
I am also the founder and president of the Toby Project, a free and very low cost spay annuter service operating in the Bronx and Queens servicing low income pet owners since 2009.
4:07:44
During which time we have performed over a 190,000 spa and neuter surgeries.
4:07:51
The work that we do alongside grass roots rescuers comes from our hearts.
4:07:56
We do it because we care, we are driven, and we will continue.
4:08:00
However, even if they are not doing the actual work, most taxpayers in the city care as well.
4:08:07
Additionally, our sacrifice financially benefits the city.
4:08:11
More animals receiving care in my private hospital means fewer tax dollars spent on those same animals in our own municipal animal shelter.
4:08:19
The more animals that receive spray and neuter surgeries from the Toby Project, the fewer dollars are spent on those same animals in our municipal shelters, and the fewer animals are born to perpetuate the cycle of unwanted births and unnecessary death.
4:08:35
This all works, but in order for it to be truly successful, it has to scale up, and the entire responsibility cannot fall on the few private entities burning themselves out to prevent this house of cards from falling.
4:08:48
If not from a compassion point of view, it financially benefits the city to prevent the existence of the very animals that would ultimately need medical care through a massive, well funded, Spain Neuter Initiative targeting targeting low income pet owners.
4:09:04
This is a prove this is proven in the publication by attorney Peter Marsh replacing myth with math using evidence based programs to eradicate shelter overpopulation.
4:09:14
With an ounce of prevention, this problem can be solved and ultimately add a huge financial benefit to New York City.
4:09:20
Thank you.