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This trend is attributed to a number of factors, including the pandemic-induced economic downturn, rising pet ownership costs, and a lack of awareness about pet care. The pandemic-induced economic downturn led to a surge in pet adoptions, as people sought companionship during lockdowns. This surge was fueled by a combination of factors, including the desire for a furry friend to alleviate loneliness and the perception that pets could provide emotional support.
* **David J. DeLuca, the lawyer representing the animal shelter.**
* **Dr. Michael F.
“The common thread to these intakes is financial hardship,” she said. “Job losses, housing instability, pet restrictions in housing, the rising cost of basic pet care, pet food and veterinary services.” Stewart Mitchell, a Brooklyn-based writer and animal rescuer, said that when his cat got sick with Feline Infectious Peritonitis in 2021, he had to rely on help from friends, family and online followers to pay the more than $9,000 vet bill. “No parent or caretaker should have to deal with the stress of dealing with an expensive vet care bill when we already have enough to worry about, like getting our rent paid, clothing our children, putting food on the table, and taking care of utility bills,” he said. “Council, you have the power today to impact so many lives in a positive way, human and animal.”
Advocates stress need for low-cost spay/neuter A lack of affordable spay and neuter services is a significant contributor to the population of strays and shelter animals, advocates say. Unaltered animals can produce unwanted litters either in homes or on the streets, increasing the stray population or leaving owners with more animals to re-home or care for. Dr. LaCheryl Ball, director of surgery at Flatbush Vet, said that though she and her colleagues in veterinary medicine are committed to tackling the animal overpopulation crisis, they cannot do it alone. “Those that have pursued spay/neuter as a career shoulder the push to do as many surgeries as we can daily, and many of my peers have considered permanently leaving the field after being overworked and underpaid while witnessing suffering and neglect on a daily basis, and feeling there is not enough support for there to be an end in sight,” she said.
City support could allow more affordable vet clinics to open, more vets to be trained, and more animals cared for, she said, which would reduce shelter populations. **Detailed Text:**
The potential for city support to positively impact animal welfare is significant. One key area where city support can make a tangible difference is in the accessibility of veterinary care.
This figure highlights the significant need for affordable spay and neuter services in low-income communities. The ASPCA estimates that 1.5 million cats and dogs are euthanized annually in the United States. This number represents a staggering 25% of the total number of animals entering shelters.
This is a common practice in government budgeting, he said. “It’s like a game of chicken.”
* City agencies, like the Department of Health (DOH), privately express their budget needs. * When called upon by OMB or the mayor, these agencies publicly claim they are “fine” with their current budget.
“It is unfathomable to me that they would show up to a City Council hearing, and when asked if they want more money for spay/neuter, to basically say ‘Nah, we’re good,’” Taylor said. “I hope that what you saw today is indicative that we absolutely need change.” Scaling up existing resources Advocates said the need for veterinary care extends beyond pet owners, especially for individual rescuers who spend their own money caring for animals. “I am worried that the city of New York right now is taking advantage of, if not exploiting the compassion of animal lovers,” Brannan said, adding that those animal lovers are willing to spend their “last dime” feeding feral cat colonies.
Walker’s work is driven by a deep sense of compassion and a desire to help animals in need. She believes that all animals deserve a second chance, and she is dedicated to providing them with the rescue and rehabilitation services. Walker’s work is not without its challenges.
The clinic is a model for other clinics, and it is designed to be scalable.