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PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Will Zweigart, Founder and Executive Director of Flatbush Cats
5:09:10
·
138 sec
Will Zweigart, founder of Flatbush Cats, expresses strong support for increased funding for spay/neuter programs and a pet food bank pilot program for low-income New Yorkers. He emphasizes the importance of these initiatives in reducing shelter overcrowding and supporting pet owners facing financial difficulties.
- Flatbush Veterinary Clinic has completed 9,000 spay/neuter surgeries in less than two years, supporting over 650 TNR certified rescue groups.
- Zweigart highlights the need for affordable veterinary care and pet food assistance, describing community clinic days that offer vaccines, microchips, and pet food distribution.
- He argues that these initiatives are cost-saving measures that will improve lives and reduce shelter intake over time.
Will Zweigart
5:09:10
My name is Will Zweigert.
5:09:12
I'm the founder and executive director Flatbush Cats.
5:09:14
We're a nonprofit helping to reduce overcrowded animal shelters in New York City by providing affordable access to veterinary care.
5:09:22
We express our strongest support for the council's budget recommendations to increase spay neuter funding for TNR.
5:09:30
As a long time rescuer and trap neuter return volunteer, I know firsthand how challenging it is to do the city's work for free without the resources needed for the job.
5:09:41
That's why we built Flatbush Veterinary Clinic which currently supports over 650 TNR certified rescue groups and individuals who are doing all they can to reduce the outdoor cat population as you've heard today.
5:09:55
And yesterday we completed our nine thousandth spay neuter surgery in less than two years.
5:10:03
But this problem is huge and if we're serious about supporting pet shelters and rescuers, we need a spay neuter appointment for every pet.
5:10:12
We also express our strongest support for the council's budget recommendations to create a pet food bank pilot program for low income New Yorkers.
5:10:21
One thing we can all agree on, pets are family.
5:10:25
But we regularly meet folks who are having to choose between feeding themselves or their pets.
5:10:31
And I don't need to tell you who eats first.
5:10:35
So we've started hosting no cost community clinic days at Flatbush Vet Offering vaccines, microchips, and a pop up pet food pantry.
5:10:46
We have one of these tomorrow.
5:10:48
We can distribute a literal ton, over 2,000 pounds of pet food in a single day.
5:10:54
And with your support, events like these could be happening all across the city.
5:10:58
Imagine the impact that would have on working families who are so stressed right now about affording groceries.
5:11:04
We have an opportunity to make New York a better place to live and save money in the process.
5:11:11
These are cost saving upstream measures that will not only improve the lives of pets and their families, they will contribute to reduced shelter intake over time.
5:11:21
We stand ready to support these initiatives and New Yorkers and their pets stand behind you.