Int 1029-2026

Int. No. 1029 By Council Members Epstein, Hanif, Zhuang, Brewer, J. Sanchez, Brooks-Powers, Farías, Abreu, Marte, Wilson and Morano ..Title A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to establishing low-cost veterinary clinics ..Body Be it enacted by the Council as follows: Section 1. Chapter 8 of title 17 of the administrative code of the city of New York is amended by adding a new section 17-820 to read as follows: § 17-820 Low-cost veterinary clinics. a. Definitions. As used in this section, the following terms have the following meanings: Area median income. The term “area median income” means the income limits as defined annually by the United States department of housing and urban development (HUD) for the New York, NY HUD Metro FMA Area (HMFA), as established in section 3 of the housing act of 1937, as amended. Veterinary clinic. The term “veterinary clinic” means an establishment that provides services by a veterinarian licensed by the state of New York. b. Veterinary clinics. Subject to appropriation, no later than 1 year after the effective date of the local law that added this section, the commissioner shall establish and maintain at least 1 veterinary clinic in each borough. Each such veterinary clinic shall provide veterinary services to companion animals, including but not limited to preventative medical care that consists of intake services, vaccinations, spay and neuter services, and the subcutaneous insertion of a microchip intended to be used to identify a companion animal. c. Fees for veterinary services. The commissioner shall determine the fees for veterinary services provided by each veterinary clinic to companion animals. A household that has an income of no more than 120 percent of the area median income shall be eligible for veterinary services at a reduced fee on a sliding fee scale based on household income. A household that makes no more than 30 percent of the area median income or receives public assistance shall be eligible for veterinary services at no cost. d. Report. No later than 2 years after the effective date of the local law that added this section, and annually thereafter, the commissioner shall submit to the mayor and the speaker of the council and post on the department’s website a report on veterinary clinics established pursuant to subdivision b of this section that includes the following information for the previous year, disaggregated by clinic: 1. The total number of companion animals that were provided with veterinary services, further disaggregated by species; 2. The number of companion animals that were provided with veterinary services at a discounted fee; 3. The number of companion animals that were provided with veterinary services at no cost; and 4. Any challenges with establishing, operating, or maintaining such veterinary clinic. § 2. This local law takes effect immediately. JEF LS #22269/22758/24509/24860 8/21/26 1:41 PM