Animal Welfare Leaders Urge Mayor Mamdani to Address Pet Affordability Crisis in New York City

Nonprofit groups call for increased funding and enforcement of animal welfare laws to help struggling pet owners

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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Just over a month into Mayor Zohran Mamdani's tenure, local animal welfare leaders are urging his administration to step up for New York City's pets and their owners. Pet owners in the city have been dealing with a pet affordability crisis as costs of vet care and pet supplies rise, leading to overcrowded shelters and more strays on the streets. Nonprofit groups Flatbush Cats and Voters for Animal Rights have released a policy campaign outlining suggestions to ease the crisis, including enforcing existing animal rights laws and funding affordable vet clinics and pet food pantries.

Why it matters

The pet affordability crisis in New York City has led to an increase in pet surrenders and strays, putting a strain on the city's animal shelters and resources. Addressing this issue could help keep more pets in loving homes and reduce the burden on the city's animal welfare system.

The details

The groups are calling for the mayor to appoint a new director of the Mayor's Office of Animal Welfare who will strongly enforce existing animal rights laws, such as those regulating animal breeding, licensing, and sterilization. They also want the city to provide more funding for affordable vet care, including low-cost spay/neuter clinics and a pet food pantry pilot program. The groups estimate their proposals would require $15.3 million in city funding for Fiscal Year 2027.

  • In 2024, animal activists and elected officials slammed the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene for publicly stating it did not need more funding for spay/neuter, while privately expressing greater need.
  • In 2025, Animal Care Centers of NYC took in more than 16,000 animals, including nearly 10,000 strays and 6,534 owner surrenders, up from just over 7,000 strays and 5,740 owner surrenders five years earlier.

The players

Zohran Mamdani

The current mayor of New York City, who has pledged to govern "audaciously" and address unaddressed issues in the city.

Will Zweigart

The founder of Flatbush Cats, a nonprofit organization that is part of the policy campaign.

Allie Taylor

The founder of Voters for Animal Rights, another nonprofit organization involved in the policy campaign.

Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH)

The city agency responsible for funding most affordable spay/neuter surgeries and overseeing the city's municipal shelters.

Animal Care Centers of NYC

The city's animal shelter system, which has seen a significant increase in intakes of strays and owner surrenders in recent years.

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What they’re saying

“The first thing he did after being sworn in was go to a rent-controlled apartment building in Flatbush to talk to the residents about unaddressed issues. This is someone who wants to hear about unaddressed issues and wants to put the full force of the city into addressing them.”

— Will Zweigart, Founder of Flatbush Cats (Brooklyn Paper)

“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'.”

— Will Zweigart, Founder of Flatbush Cats (Brooklyn Paper)

“When you report those to 311, you usually get an email back within a day that just says 'unfounded, case closed.' It's impossible to have investigated those cases in a day.”

— Allie Taylor, Founder of Voters for Animal Rights (Brooklyn Paper)

What’s next

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The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.