Wearing green shirts emblazoned with the phrase “I Cat NY,” more than 150 animal lovers crowded the chambers of the New York City Council on Friday to highlight the growing crisis of overcrowded animal shelters that has swept across the city.
Among the voices raised was that of Michelle Villagomez, senior legislative director at the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, who outlined how a host of challenges, including restrictive housing policies and the spiraling costs of veterinary services and pet food, have made it increasingly difficult for New Yorkers to keep their pets.
Villagomez emphasized that while Animal Care Centers (ACC) receives millions in funding, it remains woefully inadequate to address the severity of the situation. “ACC needs more support from the city,” Villagomez said. “The takeaway is that it’s not enough.”
Animal Care Centers, a nonprofit organization tasked with accepting animals of all ages and health conditions, has been at the forefront of the Big Apple’s response to the pet crisis, benefiting from city funds and opening new facilities in the Bronx, Staten Island, and most recently in Queens. Yet, the Queens shelter, which opened just a few months ago, has already reached capacity, forcing administrators to house dogs in offices and hallways. While the shelter system spans all five boroughs, the shelters are so overwhelmed that ACC has even urged the public to refrain from bringing more animals in, although they continue to accept them due to the severity of the situation.
“Adoption alone won’t solve the problem,” admitted ACC CEO Risa Weinstock, acknowledging that the issue requires much broader solutions.
During the hearing, advocates also called for enhanced programs aimed at controlling the growing stray population, which has surged nearly 10% in the first six months of this year compared to the same period in 2023. Furthermore, they pressed for more pet-friendly housing legislation, pointing out how apartment restrictions on certain dog breeds and size limits make it especially difficult to place larger dogs into permanent homes.
Although ACC has been able to offer some relief by providing food and medical services to help families retain their pets, their resources are limited, and they can only support about a fifth of the animals in need. Meanwhile, shelters across the city report that free and subsidized veterinary services are often fully booked within minutes of becoming available, further straining the ability of pet owners to care for their animals.
