Animal welfare leaders urge Mamdani to step up for New York City's pets * Brooklyn Paper

"Just over a month into Mayor Zohran Mamdani's tenure, local animal welfare leaders are urging his administration to step up for the city's pets and their owners. Pet owners in New York City and across the U.S. have for years been dealing with a pet affordability crisis as costs of vet care and pet supplies rise. Combined with the rising cost of living, providing care for animals has become prohibitively expensive for some New Yorkers, leading to overcrowded shelters and more strays on the streets."

"The groups first want Mamdani to shore up the city's existing animal rights regulations, starting with a new head of the Mayor's Office of Animal Welfare. Multiple city agencies, like the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene and the NYPD, are responsible for managing animal-related laws and regulations, and the office was created to coordinate those efforts and assist the mayor. But as of fall 2024, the director of the Mayor's Office of Animal Welfare was also its only full-time staffer."

"The new director should "share the mayor's vision," Zweigart said, and "shouldn't be afraid to call out issues that need to be addressed." "This person needs to have the ability to speak up and push for common-sense policy changes, particularly with a mayor like this, who has said 'We are going to govern audaciously,'" Zweigart said. With someone new in the lead, the platform says the city must do better to enforce existing laws regulating animal breeding, licensing and sterilization."

Pet affordability in New York City has worsened as veterinary care and pet supply costs rise alongside the overall cost of living, leaving some owners unable to afford care and increasing shelter overcrowding and street animals. Local animal welfare groups are urging immediate action during Mayor Zohran Mamdani's early tenure, including appointing a new head for the Mayor's Office of Animal Welfare to coordinate city agencies. The Mayor's Office was understaffed, with the director serving as the only full-time employee. Advocates call for stronger enforcement of laws on breeding, licensing, and sterilization and a director who will push policy changes.

Read at Brooklyn Paper