PROTECTING OUR ECOSYSTEMS AND ANIMAL FRIENDS

Our four legged, winged, and finned friends are some of our most important constituents - they regulate our ecosystems, promote ecological diversity, and provide us with companionship, love, and support. Despite this, animals are too often collateral damage expended for profit and human consumption - from animal testing to inhumane labor to unjust breeding practices. The relationship between animals and people is symbiotic, and intersectional discussions of environmental justice, housing justice, and equitable open spaces must include animal rights. 

Especially as climate change continues to impact New York City, we have an obligation to proactively work to mitigate the loss of plant and animal biodiversity, especially in urban spaces. This means protecting animal rights and green spaces, and ensuring our City’s rich ecosystems are able to withstand, buffer, and survive the extreme negative consequences of climate change.  A fervent animal lover, ecofeminist, and cat guardian, Shahana will advocate for increased animal rights, welfare, and protections, while also promoting intersectional policies acknowledging diverse cultural and religious practices. 

As Councilmember, Shahana will: 

+ Expand animalcare resources and fight animal cruelty

  • Partner with local veterinary clinics and shelters to provide reduced cost or free veterinary services and pop-up vaccinations for animals in lower-income communities and people experiencing homelessness
  • Eliminate the NYPD from animal control calls, retire canine officers, and disband the mounted police unit, ensuring retired horses are transferred to ethical sanctuaries and stables
  • Fully fund New York City’s WildlifeNYC and Animal Care Centers
    • Ensure sufficient PPE and safe staffing for veterinarians at Animal Care Centers to avoid burnout, fatigue, and mental health risks, ensuring animals and doctors receive quality treatment
  • Advocate vocally against inhumane animal treatment, labor, and cruelty, including supporting legislation to ban puppy mills, moving Happy the elephant to an animal sanctuary, and banning horse carriages in Central Park

+ Promote ecological resilience by funding better open spaces for animals and people

  • Ensure District 39’s dog runs and parks are fully funded and equipped with accessible, clean dog space, dog-friendly water fountains, free dog waste bags, and dedicated play spaces for smaller dogs
  • Advocate with the Department of Parks for more equitable distribution of enclosed dog runs across low-income neighborhoods of color
  • Expand environmental and conservation education in public schools by partnering public parks, community gardens, school administration, and PTAs

+ Approach animal rights with an intersectional, anti-racist lens

  • Pass Intro 1483 and 1484 so that New Yorkers with companion animals are not denied access to safe housing and shelters. As a domestic violence survivor advocate, Shahana knows that forcing survivors to choose between stable housing and abandoning companion animals unnecessarily extends cycles of abuse
  • Partner with Voters for Animal Rights and grassroots, culturally-competent, Black, brown, and Indigenous-led animal rights groups. Shahana is committed to VFAR’s current campaigns, particularly providing healthy, plant based food for New Yorkers
  • Contract with ethical and sustainable farms, instead of factory farms or support unsustainable agriculture practices like monocropping
  • Expand food justice in public schools, providing Halal, Kosher, vegetarian, and vegan meals in school cafeterias