Your guide to NYC's public proceedings.
PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Sally Taylor, President of Voters for Animal Rights
5:02:12
·
116 sec
Sally Taylor, President of Voters for Animal Rights, testified in support of proposed funding for animal welfare initiatives in New York City. She emphasized the importance of the $1.5 million for TNR (trap-neuter-return) programs and $1 million for pet food pantries to address animal overpopulation and prevent pet surrenders due to financial hardship.
- Taylor highlighted the disparity in per capita spending on animal care between NYC ($2.89) and other major cities like Los Angeles ($10), Miami ($13.70), and Dallas ($15).
- She urged the City Council to view the proposed funding as a first step towards sustained investment in high-volume, low-cost spay/neuter services and accessible veterinary care.
- Taylor expressed a vision for future expansion, hoping for high-volume, low-cost spay/neuter clinics in all 51 city council districts.
Sally Taylor
5:02:12
My name is Sally Taylor, and I'm the president of Voters for Animal Rights, a volunteer run organization in NYC.
5:02:18
I'm also a cat rescuer in Bushwick.
5:02:21
Thank you chairs Justin Brannan and Lynn Schulman for leading the initiative to fund 1,500,000.0 for spay neuter for TNR and 1,000,000 for the creation of a pet food pantry program.
5:02:30
Coming off last September hearing where over 350 local animal rescue groups were heard, we're delighted that the city council has come together with our community to collaborate on meaningful solutions for both animals and the people who care for them.
5:02:42
Regarding the 1,000,000 in funding for the pet food pantry program, it's it's important to recognize that the number one reason people surrender their pets is financial hardship.
5:02:50
Establishing pet food pantries in high need, high surrender areas such as the South Bronx and East New York would help families stay together with their pets and reduce the strain on animal care centers.
5:03:01
Regarding the 1,500,000.0 for funding for TNR, the high cost of spay neuter procedures and veterinary care combined with insufficient support from city government has led to the current crisis.
5:03:11
We urge the New York City Council to adopt the funding proposal and to treat it as a stepping stone towards sustained investment in high volume, low cost bay neuter services and accessible veterinary care for New Yorkers including both rescuers and pet owners.
5:03:25
For context, the New York City Department of Health currently allocates just $2.89 per capita for animal care.
5:03:32
By contrast, Los Angeles invests $10 per capita, Miami invests $13.70 per capita, and Dallas nearly $15.
5:03:41
While the proposed funding may seem modest right now, it represents an essential first step in addressing the urgent issue.
5:03:51
I look forward to the day when all 51 city council districts have their own high volume, low cost bay neuter clinics.
5:03:58
The proposed f y twenty twenty six funding is a crucial first step towards making that vision a reality.
5:04:03
Thank you for this opportunity to speak on behalf of the dedicated cat rescuers of New York City.