File #: Int 1172-2025    Version: * Name: Pilot program to establish a pet food pantry.
Type: Introduction Status: Committee
Committee: Committee on Health
On agenda: 1/23/2025
Enactment date: Law number:
Title: A Local Law in relation to a pilot program to establish a pet food pantry
Sponsors: Robert F. Holden, Lynn C. Schulman, Farah N. Louis, Kamillah Hanks, Joann Ariola
Council Member Sponsors: 5
Summary: This bill would require the Commissioner of Health and Mental Hygiene to establish a pet food pantry in at least one location for at least 12 months. It would also require the Commissioner to deliver a report on the impact of the pilot program and feasibility of continuing or expanding the program.
Indexes: Report Required
Attachments: 1. Summary of Int. No. 1172, 2. Int. No. 1172, 3. January 23, 2025 - Stated Meeting Agenda

Int. No. 1172

 

By Council Members Holden, Schulman, Louis, Hanks and Ariola

 

A Local Law in relation to a pilot program to establish a pet food pantry

 

Be it enacted by the Council as follows:

 

Section 1. a. Definitions. As used in this section, the following terms have the following meanings:

Pet. The term “pet” means an animal that is kept primarily for companionship in compliance with all applicable laws.

Pet food pantry. The term “pet food pantry” means a program that provides pet food for free to people for their pets.

b. Pilot program. Within 6 months of the effective date of this local law, the commissioner of health and mental hygiene shall establish at least 1 pet food pantry.

c. Duration. The commissioner of health and mental hygiene shall maintain the pet food pantry for at least 12 months after it is established.

d. Reporting. No later than 18 months after the effective date of this local law, the commissioner of health and mental hygiene shall submit to the mayor and the speaker of the council a report on the pilot program established pursuant to subdivision b of this section. Such report shall include the following information:

1. An analysis of the utilization of the pet food pantry, including any available data on the number of pet owners that visited the pantry and quantities of food distributed;

2. The effect, if any can be determined, of the pet food pantry on the number of pet surrenders to nearby animal shelters;

3. The estimated cost of expanding the pilot program, on a per pet food pantry basis; and

4. An evaluation of the feasibility of continuing the pet food pantry and establishing pet food pantries in additional locations.

§ 2. This local law takes effect immediately.JGP

LS #2403/16837

12/9/2024 12:00 PM