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Q&A
Council Member Brannan questions DOHMH on trap-neuter-return programs and animal welfare initiatives
2:48:36
·
3 min
Council Member Justin Brannan engages in a Q&A session with DOHMH officials, primarily focusing on trap-neuter-return (TNR) programs, spay and neuter services, and broader animal welfare initiatives in New York City. He presses the department on funding allocation, strategies for managing feral cat populations, and coordination with other city agencies on pet retention and rescue support.
- Brannan advocates for city funding of TNR programs, suggesting that the city is currently relying too heavily on volunteer efforts.
- DOHMH officials explain their current role in providing information and best practices for TNR, but confirm they do not directly fund these programs.
- The discussion touches on the Animal Population Control Fund, which provides subsidized spay and neuter services for income-eligible pet owners.
Justin Brannan
2:48:36
Given the council's proposal for a $1,500,000 TNR initiative, what steps is DOHMH prepared to take to ensure that funds are equitably distributed and to support frontline community based cat rescue?
Michelle Morse
2:48:52
I'm gonna pass that one to my chief financial officer.
Aaron Anderson
2:48:56
And I think we should call up Corinne Schiff.
2:48:59
You're talking about trap new to return?
Justin Brannan
2:49:00
Yep.
2:49:01
Got it.
2:49:01
Sorry, I switched topics.
Corinne Schiff
2:49:10
So we we appreciate the council's interest in supporting TNR practitioners.
2:49:15
We're in discussion with OMB about the funding proposal.
Justin Brannan
2:49:18
Okay.
2:49:19
Is there a citywide strategy in place to mainly manage the the feral cat populations?
Corinne Schiff
2:49:29
So the department has information on our website on best practices for TNR and we have the opportunity for TNR groups to be listed on the website.
2:49:39
We list some of the practitioner groups on the website and we open that up for anyone to be able to respond.
Justin Brannan
2:49:47
But you're not actually giving them any money to do it?
Corinne Schiff
2:49:50
We do not fund TNR programs.
Justin Brannan
2:49:54
We believe you should.
2:49:55
I think the city is taking advantage of the compassion of animal welfare advocates who do this work out of the goodness of their heart.
2:50:04
I think it's the responsibility of a municipality to deal with this.
2:50:10
I mean how does DOHMH assess the current capacity to meet the citywide demand for spay and neuter services?
Corinne Schiff
2:50:20
So we do have a different program under local law, the Animal Population Control Fund where we provide subsidized spay and neuter services for people who own cats and dogs.
2:50:32
We do that via a contract and for people who meet income eligibility.
Justin Brannan
2:50:40
Are there any other investments or partnership that DOHMH has pursued to expand access to TNR in high need and under resourced areas?
Corinne Schiff
2:50:50
So our work in TNR is really to provide information about best practices.
Justin Brannan
2:51:01
And how is DOHMH working with other city agencies like HRA or ACC or the Mayor's Office of Animal Welfare to develop a coordinated response to pet retention and rescue support?
Abby Jeffrey
2:51:16
We work very closely.
Corinne Schiff
2:51:19
Of course we fund ACC.
2:51:21
ACC is the city's open admissions animal shelter, ACC shelter, as you know.
2:51:26
And they have a very robust program to work with foster groups to do adoption and pet surrender counseling for people in addition to the sheltering services that they provide.
2:51:39
We work very closely with the mayor's office on animal welfare, but I would defer questions on exactly what their programs are to their lead.
Justin Brannan
2:51:48
So last question for me.