PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Sheila Sanchez, Member of the Public and Animal Rescuer
6:47:12
·
5 min
Sheila Sanchez, a long-time animal rescuer and former president of Francis Albert Park, shared her experiences and challenges in animal rescue. She highlighted the financial and emotional toll of rescuing and caring for animals, particularly cats, over the past 20 years. Sanchez emphasized the need for more accessible and affordable veterinary care, including spay/neuter services and emergency care.
- Described personal experiences of rescuing and caring for numerous cats, including difficulties in affording medical care
- Highlighted the challenges of finding affordable veterinary care, especially for emergencies
- Called for more support for animal rescuers and pet owners, including low-cost clinics and better access to care
- Advocated for the creation of a separate department for animal welfare to address ongoing issues in animal rescue and care
Sheila Sanchez
6:47:12
I can hear prepared for 2 minutes.
6:47:16
My name is Sheila Sanchez.
6:47:19
I am part of the northwest branch of Democrats, and I was the president of Francis Albert Park, but more than anything else, I'm a animal lover.
6:47:31
And a rescue.
6:47:37
After hearing my fellowship rescuers, I realized to after the pandemic, I lost track with what is going on.
6:47:51
And I realized that I came as two people really, the pet owner and the rescue.
6:47:59
For 20 years, I lived in the same place, and I was locking off the mainland of cats.
6:48:06
So he allowed me to practically have a rescue in the house.
6:48:10
I never asked for help other than what is offered for other rescuers or like my friend here used to call the cut angels in the neighborhood.
6:48:21
I fed them.
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I took them to the ASPCA truck.
6:48:28
I got a hell of the neighbors to actually borrow me their Medicaid cards so I can afford to repay the animals because I never had the money.
6:48:41
Even though I have 2 jobs in my own little business.
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But I lost my house and 22.
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And a of my cats.
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Only 2 are still with me.
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My miss Hissie Hissie Hissie Hissie 4.
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2 was supposed to be, uh-huh, faster for 10 days.
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And has been 13 years now.
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And my last fellow, so I couldn't let there when I knew today were going to condemn the house.
Lynn C. Schulman
6:49:18
I'm
UNKNOWN
6:49:21
sorry.
Sheila Sanchez
6:49:26
The other five two were eighteen year old, and I have to ask for help, and I have to surrender it to a senior cut home because I couldn't take care of the cost anymore.
6:49:44
My gypsy died from a sudden kidney failure and my year towards 18 for a fatal seizure.
6:49:55
At the time, I couldn't afford a bed.
6:49:58
I still cannot afford a bed.
6:50:02
The last one, my Malefika we were almost able to get to the ER, but she died anyway.
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And I was told to us because of the poison that they used to kill the mosquitoes.
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For kidney failure.
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And I finally broke economically and emotionally.
Lynn C. Schulman
6:50:28
If you could summarize
Sheila Sanchez
6:50:29
Yes, please.
Lynn C. Schulman
6:50:30
Thank you.
Sheila Sanchez
6:50:32
A year ago, we rescued a dog.
6:50:36
My Lucy.
6:50:37
Oh, she most rescued me.
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She was supposed to be my my support animal.
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She came sick and scared.
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She has been a stolen for a homeless mentally ill person who wasn't able to take care of her and fat her, cut foot, and kept her in a small bag all the time.
6:50:56
Thanks to the installation of all the rescuers.
6:51:00
She came at me.
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Thanks to the Convenient War of Rescuers, I was able to get her vaccines and nearer her.
6:51:07
But I shouldn't have to have wait 6 months, and she has been able to go to an executive or a low clinic.
6:51:15
For 20 years, I have done rescue.
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I don't know what I would have done this law for the ASPCA's trucks, but that wasn't enough.
6:51:28
For 20 years, they push for their animal shelter in the Bronx, but that is not enough.
6:51:33
Organizing with other rescuers, trapping, releasing, it is not enough.
6:51:38
Every single spring, every single station really.
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I will have new sets of cadence that needed help and a frightened, hungry, new cat living with me till or if I found a new home, when my baby Lucy was hit by a truck driver, She dares my hands because she's a holiday.
6:52:03
It's impossible to find where to get your animal.
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It's something wrong.
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Here I am today asking for more support, more help, and I see nobody should go with any of us has go through.
6:52:22
But more than anything else, I am asking you, for the age, the the age of the day of age to have had a divorce for the animal welfare because the marriage is not working for a long as us.
6:52:39
Thank you.
