Speaker Julie Menin and Council Member Harvey Epstein Announce Fall Slate of Animal Welfare Caucus Programming

Events Include Adoption Pop-Ups, Vaccination Clinics, Pet Food Pantries, and Emergency Preparedness Workshops

NEW YORK - New York City Council Speaker Julie Menin and Council Member Harvey Epstein, Co-chair of the Council's Animal Welfare Caucus, today announced a slate of fall programming promoting responsible pet ownership and affordable pet services. The series kicked off over the weekend with a mobile adoption event in East New York with Council Member Chris Banks alongside Animal Care Centers of NYC (ACC).

Events are spread across the five boroughs and include adoption events, vaccination clinics, pet food pantries, and service animal preparedness workshops.

The programming is being organized by the Council's Animal Welfare Caucus, which was established in March 2026 by Speaker Menin to improve the quality of life for animals and the New Yorkers who care for them. Led by Council Member Epstein, the Caucus works to advocate for the humane treatment of animals and advance legislation that makes pet ownership more affordable.

"Every New Yorker who welcomes an animal into their life deserves access to affordable, reliable care, and that's exactly what this fall's programming delivers," said Speaker Menin. "From mobile adoption fairs to vaccination clinics, our fall program is meant to meet pet owners where they are, across the five boroughs to bring access to essential pet needs closer to your door. I am grateful to Council Member Epstein for leading this initiative, and thank you to our partners across the animal welfare community for bringing this programming to life."

"Every New Yorker should be able to care for their pets, regardless of their income, and that means making sure families have access to the food, veterinary care, and resources they need," said Council Member Epstein. "I'm excited to help lead the implementation of these programs, and I am grateful to the Speaker for her leadership in improving access to essential resources for pets across the city. Alongside adoption events and other community-based efforts, these investments will help keep pets healthy, keep families together, and give more animals the loving homes they deserve."

The full list of events, through the end of the year, is listed below:

August

• Aug. 8: Animal Care Centers Mobile Pet Adoption with Council Member Chris Banks, Brooklyn
• Aug. 16: Positive Tails Vaccine & Wellness Clinic, Brooklyn

September

• Sept. 19: Animal Care Centers Mobile Pet Adoption with Council Member Harvey Epstein, Manhattan
• Sept. 24: Community Cat Shelter Building Class, Queens
• Sept. 27: NYCEM Annual Pet & Service Animal Preparedness Fair, Manhattan
• Sept. 27: Animal Care Centers Mobile Pet Adoption with Council Member Shaun Abreu, Manhattan

October

• Oct. 4: LIC Feral Feeders Pawp Up Adoption Event, Queens
• Oct. 11: Mobile Pet Adoption with the ASPCA, ACC and Council Member Linda Lee, Queens
• Oct. 15: City Hall Chamber Event, Manhattan
• Oct.17: PuppyKittyNYC Adoption Event, Queens

November

• Nov. 13: Volunteer Day, PuppyKitty NYC, Queens

December

• Dec. (Date TBD): Positive Tails Vaccine & Wellness Clinic, the Bronx

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