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Q&A
Council Member Brannan questions DOHMH on animal welfare and spay/neuter services
2:51:50
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174 sec
Council Member Justin Brannan engages in a Q&A session with Deputy Commissioner Corinne Schiff about the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene's approach to animal welfare in New York City, focusing on feral cat populations and spay/neuter services. They discuss the work of Animal Care Centers (ACC) and the availability of low-cost spay/neuter services for income-eligible pet owners.
- Brannan expresses concern about overcrowded animal shelters and suggests more focus on Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) services, especially in under-resourced communities.
- Schiff reveals details about a $3 million, six-year contract with ASPCA to provide spay/neuter services through the Animal Population Control Fund.
- The discussion highlights the need for a more comprehensive approach to managing the city's animal population beyond just improving shelter facilities.
Justin Brannan
2:51:50
I mean does DOHMH have any larger vision for how to do better by our city's animal population?
2:51:57
Specifically our feral cat population?
2:52:00
Is there any real big thinking around this?
Corinne Schiff
2:52:04
So I would say that our work with animal care centers over the last decade or so, including with council support and really leadership, has made our open admission shelter a national leader in this area.
2:52:18
As you know, we are on the cusp of being able to finally open a full service shelter in every borough.
2:52:25
We're developing the shelter in The Bronx now.
2:52:28
Chair Shulman was at our opening for the Queen site, which is a beautiful state of the art facility.
2:52:34
The Brooklyn site is under full renovation.
2:52:36
We expect that to open in 2026.
2:52:39
We have a really beautiful new pet adoption center in Manhattan.
2:52:44
And I think, you know, it's an extremely challenging area.
2:52:47
We've got great leadership at ACC, a really mission driven staff.
2:52:51
They think a lot about all of these different kinds of issues.
2:52:54
And I would just encourage everyone here, we have pets available for adoption.
2:52:58
I hope that people will choose ACC when they're ready to add a pet to their family.
Justin Brannan
2:53:04
I mean we appreciate the work ACC does.
2:53:07
It's a thankless job.
2:53:09
I just think there needs to be some thinking around the reason why the animal shelters are overflowing is because people don't have access to TNR services a lot.
2:53:19
Especially in under resourced communities.
2:53:21
So we hear a lot about the shelters are at capacity and there needs to be that conversation about that ecosystem.
2:53:30
The reason why the shelters are overcrowded is because of we don't have enough, you know, TNR resources for folks.
2:53:38
So upstream sort of way of thinking, right?
2:53:44
That I would love for you guys to think about.
Corinne Schiff
2:53:48
So we do have programs to help people who can't afford to spay and neuter their pets to be able to get that service.
Justin Brannan
2:53:55
And that's through ACC?
Corinne Schiff
2:53:57
That contract right now is with ASPCA to provide through the Animal Population Control Fund.
Justin Brannan
2:54:03
And what and how much is that fund?
Corinne Schiff
2:54:05
That is a $3,000,000 contract for six years.
Justin Brannan
2:54:10
So if I have a if I have a cat and I wanna get it spayed, there's a way for me to do it?
Corinne Schiff
2:54:17
If you meet income eligibility requirements then that service is available to you.
Justin Brannan
2:54:23
When did that service start?
Corinne Schiff
2:54:26
I don't remember the start date for the Animal Population Control Fund which is under the AD code.
2:54:33
But that, the current contract began 11/01/2022 and expires October '28.
Justin Brannan
2:54:42
Okay, turn it over to Chair Schulman.
2:54:44
Thank you.