NYC Council Approves $500,000 in Funding for New Program That Can Be Citywide Model to Expand Affordable Spay and Neuter Services, Helping Low-Income Cat Owners and Reducing[...]

New initiative will pay for 3,500 surgeries, easing financial barriers for low-income New Yorkers, relieving overwhelmed shelters, and getting cats off the street

City Hall, NY - Today, the New York City Council voted to allocate $500,000 in Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 budget funding to launch a new program expanding affordable spay and neuter services to reduce cat overpopulation that has overwhelmed rescuers and shelters, while providing affordable services for low-income cat-owners. The program will support 3,500 surgeries for both rescue and Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) volunteers and pet owners, reducing the financial burden of care that can help tackle the city's cat overpopulation crisis. It is a model for a program that could be implemented citywide, and marks the first time the Council is funding an initiative dedicated to animals.

The Council is allocating the funding to Flatbush Cats, a Brooklyn-based nonprofit organization dedicated to ending overcrowded animal shelters by making veterinary care accessible and affordable for more New Yorkers. In addition to creating thousands of new appointments, the initiative will free up capacity for TNR volunteers to utilize American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) facilities in the Bronx, Queens, and East New York.

The City is experiencing an urgent cat overpopulation problem, with animal shelters stretched beyond capacity, an issue largely driven by the lack of spay and neuter services that results in unchecked breeding. The rising costs associated with pet care and veterinary services lead to more abandoned pets and the need for accessible care in New York City is massive. More than half of all New Yorkers - over 4.7 million people - live in households that cannot afford a basic vet visit. Free-roaming cats can create challenges for communities, including threats to other animals, the spread of illnesses, and noise pollution from fighting and mating. Humane and effective TNR programs are essential to improving conditions for both cats and neighborhoods.

This new funding marks a critical step forward, but it addresses a fraction of the citywide need for spay and neuter services. Flatbush Cats will design a measurement program to evaluate the impact of these targeted investments, creating a scalable model to demonstrate the value of increased citywide funding in the years to come.

"Providing affordable spay and neuter services is critical to making veterinary care more accessible for cat owners and easing the growing challenges of cat overpopulation and overcrowded animal shelters," said Speaker Adrienne Adams. "With this new City Council funding, we are making cat veterinary services affordable for New Yorkers to support more humane conditions and strengthen the quality of life in our neighborhoods. The Council is proud to support this pilot program by Flatbush Cats as an important step towards advancing sustainable solutions for our city."

"As Finance Chair and an animal lover, I'm proud that our city is investing in affordable spay and neuter services for the first time ever," said Council Member Justin Brannan, Chair of the Committee on Finance. "This new, fully funded $500,000 pilot program will ease overcrowding in our animal shelters and ensure New York's incredible rescue organizations have the resources to continue their vital work effectively. Thank you to Speaker Adrienne Adams and all the advocates who never stopped pushing for this humane, common-sense solution. Together we can and will make the world's greatest city a more human place."

"As Chair of the Health Committee, I am proud to have championed this critical investment in spay and neuter services," said Council Member Lynn Schulman, Chair of the Committee on Health. "This funding will expand access to low- and no-cost care through Flatbush Cats, helping reduce the number of stray animals, support responsible pet ownership, and promote healthier communities across our city. I want to extend my deepest gratitude to Speaker Adrienne Adams and my colleagues for recognizing that animal welfare is a public health issue and for making this a priority in our budget."

"Every pet deserves to see a vet - and today we take one step closer to making that a reality in New York City," said Will Zweigart, Executive Director of Flatbush Cats. "We are grateful to Speaker Adams and the City Council for investing in solutions that make veterinary care affordable for those who need it most. This pilot will show what is possible when we expand access to affordable, essential care - and make the case for increased citywide investment to meet the enormous need across New York City."

"We applaud the City Council for investing in affordable spay and neuter services, a smart and humane step forward that will fund 3,500 additional surgeries," said Allie Taylor, President, Voters For Animal Rights. "This pilot program will prevent thousands of cats from suffering on the street, ease the burden on overcrowded shelters, and give New York's volunteer animal rescuers the support they desperately need. By showing that upstream prevention is the most effective way to address the city's cat overpopulation crisis, the Council is laying the groundwork for expanded, citywide investment in the years ahead. As New Yorkers who care deeply about animals, we know firsthand how urgently this help is needed - and we are grateful to the Council for listening to the rescuer community and leading with compassion.

"High-volume spay/neuter, including TNR, is the most humane and sustainable solution to cat overpopulation," said Tanya Copeland, President of Bronx Community Cats. "It reduces the burden on our community and municipal shelter system. By targeting high-density areas, it ensures resources will be allocated in an efficient and impactful way. We commend City Council leadership for championing this allocation and eagerly await the results of how this pilot program with Flatbush Cats can be scaled to The Bronx, the area with the greatest need."

"The City is taking an important first step toward addressing a long-standing gap in services, and we commend the City Council for recognizing the critical role of affordable spay/neuter in keeping animals and communities healthy," said Michelle Villagomez, senior director of municipal affairs for the ASPCA. "The ASPCA is proud to provide spay/neuter and welcomes additional providers to help meet the overwhelming need."

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