Animal Welfare

As the founding director of Jurukan Inc. and a dedicated neighbor in Richmond Hill, I believe that a community is defined by how it protects its most vulnerable—including those who cannot speak for themselves.

STATEMENT: A Voice for Our Companion Animals

In District 38, we understand that our pets are not just property; they are members of the family. Recognizing a critical gap in our local support systems, I spearheaded the creation of the first Queens Pet Pantry. This initiative was built through a technical collaboration with the Mayor's Office of Animal Welfare, the ASPCA, and the Humane Society to provide essential supplies to pet owners during their times of greatest need.

Advocacy Through Action

My commitment to our companion animals extends beyond providing food. I have leveraged my professional experience in bilingual programming to provide translation services for these agencies, ensuring that vital information on pet health and socialization reaches every neighbor in our "New American Neighborhood," regardless of the language they speak.

The Architect’s Promise

As your representative, I will continue to be a champion for animal welfare. We must recognize that the only voice our companion animals have is us.

• Integrating Care: I will advocate for pet-friendly policies in our housing and public spaces to ensure families are never forced to choose between their homes and their pets.

• Health and Safety: I will continue to support webinars and local workshops that educate our community on responsible pet ownership and socialization.

I am committed to building a district that listens to every voice—even the ones without words.

The history of animal welfare is a testament to our evolving moral landscape. As a founding director who has collaborated with the Mayor's Office of Animal Welfare and the ASPCA, I view this history as the blueprint for our current responsibilities to our companion animals.

A Global History of Animal Protection

The fight to protect those who cannot speak for themselves has moved from early legislation to a global movement for rights and dignity.

The Early Foundations (1600s–1700s)

• 1635–1641: Early protections began in Ireland with acts against cruel farming practices, followed by the Massachusetts Body of Liberties, which prohibited "Tirranny or Crueltie" toward animals.

• 1687: Japan demonstrated early ethical leadership by reintroducing a ban on eating meat and killing animals.

• 1780: Philosopher Jeremy Bentham shifted the debate by arguing that the capacity to suffer, not the capacity to reason, should dictate our treatment of animals.

The Rise of Organized Advocacy (1800s–1900s)

• Martin’s Act (1822): The UK passed the first formal animal protection legislation, sparking a global increase in concern for the lives of dogs and cats.

• The Brown Dog Affair (1906): Public outrage over animal experimentation in medical institutions led to massive protests in London, successfully bringing the cause into the media spotlight.

• The US Movement (1860s): The first SPCAs were launched in the United States, focusing on urban animal control and educational work regarding pet keeping.

The Modern Era of Rights and Welfare (1950s–1980s)

As factory farming and laboratory testing increased, new organizations emerged to challenge the status quo.

• The Emergence of the HSUS (1954): The Humane Society of the United States was formed to tackle issues like humane slaughter and laboratory regulations.

• Legislative Milestones: The Humane Slaughter Act (1958) and the Animal Welfare Act (1966) finally gave animal welfare a permanent place on the US political landscape.

• Welfare vs. Rights: By the 1970s, the movement split into two philosophies: Animal Welfare (humane use of animals) and Animal Rights (the fundamental right to life and freedom from exploitation).

• Grassroots Mobilization: The 1980s saw an explosion of visibility through groups like PETA (1981), which used investigative approaches to energize the public.

The Current Landscape (1990s–Present)

The focus has shifted from passing bills—which are often difficult to enforce—to changing popular culture.

• Ethical Consumerism: There is now a massive awareness of how our lifestyle choices, from diet to beauty products, impact animal suffering.

• Global Solidarity: Since 2006, professionalized alliances have formed in India, the Philippines, and across Africa, creating a united front for animal protection.

The Architect’s Perspective

Understanding this long and winding road reminds us that we are the only voice our animals have. In District 38, I am committed to continuing this legacy by ensuring our local policies reflect the compassion and ethical standards our history has fought so hard to establish.

As we move through the 21st century, the movement for animal protection has transitioned from grassroots activism to significant legislative and corporate shifts. As a Community Architect who launched the first Queens Pet Pantry, I view these milestones as the structural blueprint for how we must protect our companion animals today.

Animal Welfare in the 21st Century: A Timeline of Progress

The last two decades have seen a surge in corporate accountability, legal protections, and a fundamental shift in how we perceive animal consciousness.

Corporate Accountability & Legal Battles (2001–2006)

• 2001–2004: Open rescues documented abuses in industrial farming, while major corporations began to respond to consumer pressure; McDonald’s settled a lawsuit over non-vegetarian ingredients in their fries, and Forever 21pledged to stop selling fur.

• 2005–2006: While Congress initially pulled funding for horse meat inspections, the period also saw the passage of the Animal Enterprise Terrorism Act. Investigations into the Burlington Coat Factory revealed that items marketed as "faux" fur were actually made from real fur.

Shifting Standards in Entertainment & Cosmetics (2007–2016)

• 2007–2011: Horse slaughter for human consumption ended in the U.S. in 2007, though it was briefly legalized again in 2011. Meanwhile, the European Union took a global lead by banning cosmetics testing on animals.

• 2012: A landmark moment in science occurred when an international convention of neuroscientists published the Cambridge Declaration on Consciousness, stating that many non-human animals possess the neurological structures for consciousness.

• 2013–2016: The documentary "Blackfish" galvanized public opinion against captive orca shows, leading SeaWorld to eventually announce an end to its orca breeding program and theatrical performances.

Recent Victories and New York’s Leadership (2018–2019)

• 2018: Following the tragic death of a French bulldog named Kokito on a flight to New York, the WOOFF Act was introduced to prohibit airlines from storing animals in overhead compartments. Even classic brands like Nabiscoupdated century-old packaging to depict animals "cage-free".

• 2019: This year marked major strides for animal welfare in our own backyard, as New York State became the first to ban cat declawing. Nationally, the EPA announced plans to phase out mammalian testing for chemical toxicity, and California became the first state to ban the sale of new fur items.

The Architect’s Vision for District 38

As a resident of Richmond Hill with a deep commitment to our local pet community, I believe our history proves that progress is possible when we demand transparency. My work providing translation services for pet health webinars is part of this larger effort to ensure that the 21st-century standards of care are accessible to everyone in our district.

We must continue to build on this momentum, ensuring that our local policies protect the animals who share our homes and our lives.

Based on my experience as the founding director of Jurukan Inc. and my personal commitment to our community's four-legged family members, I have developed a comprehensive plan for animal welfare in our district.

The Backyard Plan: Protecting Our Families and Pets

As a neighbor in Richmond Hill, I know that for many of us, our "castle" isn't complete without our pets. My dedication to this cause is personal—my family grew up with cats, dogs, birds, fish, snakes, and turtles, and we are currently "owned" by our beloved dog, Frenchie.

The Queens Pet Pantry: A Grassroots Success

During the pandemic, I noticed a critical gap in services: while the ASPCA provided emergency pet supplies in Brooklyn, Manhattan, and the Bronx, Queens was left out.

• The Initiative: After contacting the ASPCA, the Humane Society of New York, and the Mayor’s Office of Animal Welfare, I secured training and supplies to launch the Queens Pet Pantry.

• Systems Innovation: I developed an online and call-in tracking system that was so effective the ASPCA adopted it for their own data management.

• Expansion: This program eventually secured several truckloads of supplies through the Queens Borough President's office for distribution across the borough.

• Education: Since then, I have partnered with the Mayor’s Office of Animal Welfare to provide Spanish-language translation for seminars on pet health and safety.

My 2026 Policy Commitments

I believe that leadership is about seeing a need and taking action. As your representative, I will implement the following:

• Ending the Domestic Trade: I will work to limit the sale of cats, dogs, and rabbits to shelters only, as too many store-sold pets originate from abusive conditions.

• Dedicated Advocacy: I will designate a specific member of my staff to handle animal welfare issues exclusively.

• Support for Rescues: We must allocate consistent funding to maintain our vital non-profit animal rescue organizations.

• Modernizing Transit: The horse carriage industry is antiquated and cruel; it is time for this practice to be retired in favor of more humane alternatives.

Protecting Vulnerable Pet Owners

• Senior Housing Rights: I support legislation to ensure that no individual over the age of 62 is denied housing simply because they have a companion animal.

• Pet-Friendly Shelters: I advocate for plans (such as Intro 1483) that require the city to provide pet-friendly accommodations for homeless individuals and families, ensuring they are never forced to choose between a bed and their pet.

• Wildlife Coexistence: We will continue to support and expand the WildlifeNYC program to manage the diverse animals that live right in our own backyards.

In our district, we take care of our own—and that includes our animals.