Call NY Governor Hochul's Office to Demand Greater Bird Flu Safeguards in NYC

The New York Times

Demand a 30-day shutdown of live animal markets in New York City to create better bird flu protections

Call the Governor's office at 518-474-8390. Use this script or craft your own message:

“My name is [Name] and I am calling to ask that Governor Hochul reinstate a shutdown on live animal markets for an additional thirty days to allow time for critical disease surveillance and biosecurity measures. With the spread of HPAI among rats, cats, and other mammals, we cannot afford to wait. Please take action now to protect public health and animal welfare.”

Call Governor Hochul and urge her to implement better safeguards for human and animal health.

Bird flu is not just a bird problem anymore—it's a mammal problem, too. Urban rats have been infected with the virus in California, and it has been extremely deadly to cats who have contracted the virus from cattle.

Inspection reports and neighbor complaints about live animal markets in New York City have documented rats and cats wandering in and around these markets, as well as a host of alarming findings, including:

Dead birds in cages with live birds
Animal feed with mold and inadequate and/or dirty water
Live baby ducks kept in plastic grocery carts
Live bird cages overcrowded and heavily soiled with feces and feathers
Rat and mouse droppings, cockroaches, maggots, and flies
Dripping bags of blood, feces, feathers, undrained stagnant water, unused materials and dead animals around the buildings
Machinery with extensive accumulation of dark grime across food contact services
No knife and equipment sterilization

So far, Governor Hochul has shut down these markets for five days and ordered them to disinfect their facilities and test incoming birds, but these actions are not enough to prevent disease. Without immediate, further intervention, the 82 live markets across one of the most densely populated cities and travel hubs in the world are threatening the safety of our wildlife, our pets, and ourselves with each passing day.