🎉🐴 IT’S OFFICIAL: ROMANCH’S LAW HAS PASSED! 🐴🎉 Today, the @NYCCouncil voted to END horse-drawn carriages in New York City. 🗳️✅ After DECADES of fighting, failed bills, and too many lives lost, New York has finally said: no more. 💪 Here’s what Romanch’s Law does: 🚫 No new carriage licenses, starting now 🐎 Carriages off NYC streets by June 1, 2028 🤝 A transition plan for carriage workers THANK YOU to @SpeakerMenin @juliemenin, Council Member @chrismartenyc, Council Member @harveyforny, Health Chair @lynn4nyc Schulman, Majority Leader @shaunabreu, Council Member @shahanafrombk, Council Member @ShirleyAldebol, the Animal Welfare Caucus, every co-sponsor and Council Member who voted YES, and @nycmayor Mamdani for committing to sign Intro 943 into law. 🙌 And thank YOU. Every email, every call, every rally. You made this happen. 📣 This is what political power for animals looks like. 🔥 Next stop: Mayor Mamdani’s signature. ✍️

GOOD MORNING NYC! 🌞 Today's the day we #BanHorseCarriagesNYC and pass Romanch's Law!

🐘 Patty is the LAST elephant at the Bronx Zoo — living alone, with no herd, no family, and no space to roam. Elephants are highly social, wide-ranging animals who walk for miles and live in tight-knit family groups. Keeping them captive is bad enough — keeping them in isolation is simply not humane. 💔 The Wildlife Conservation Society, which owns the Bronx Zoo, has been "considering" sending Patty to sanctuary, but considering isn't a commitment, and Patty doesn't have time to wait on a maybe. Sanctuaries exist RIGHT NOW that could give her space, companionship, and a better life. ✍️ SIGN THE PETITION urging the Bronx Zoo and Wildlife Conservation Society commit to retiring Patty to an accredited sanctuary: vfar.org/patty Patty has waited long enough. She deserves sanctuary. 🐘💜 #WorldElephantDay #FreePatty

After 10 years of building Voters For Animal Rights from the ground up, I have big news to share. I have accepted the position of Director of the NYC Mayor’s Office of Animal Welfare. I’m incredibly honored to continue fighting for animals from inside City Hall, and I’ll remain involved with VFAR in an advisory capacity. Over the past decade, together we’ve proven something extraordinary: political advocacy for animals works. Together, we have: 🐘 Passed NYC’s ban on wild animals in circuses 🦆 Passed NYC’s foie gras ban 🐹 Ended the sale of guinea pigs in pet stores 🐶 Passed the Backyard Breeder Law 🐙 Led passage of NY’s industrial octopus farming ban, now awaiting the Governor’s signature 🐱 Secured historic city funding for affordable spay/neuter services and pet food pantries 🗳️ Helped elect dozens of animal champions to public office None of this happened because of one person. It happened because thousands of New Yorkers volunteered, donated, organized, voted, and showed up for animals. It is my privilege to introduce the exceptional leaders who will lead VFAR into its next era: 🌟 Julie Cappiello is now President. She helped bring VFAR to life in 2016 and has been essential to VFAR’s growth, transforming our digital fundraising, communications, and grassroots engagement while helping shape our political strategy. 💫 Mian Osumi is our Policy & Advocacy Manager — our first-ever hire! She is a savvy, nimble social justice organizer. She will be on the ground organizing electoral & legislative campaigns across NY State. ✨ Suriya Khan joins our Board of Directors. An experienced nonprofit leader and true systems disruptor, Suriya brings decades of wisdom and experience challenging the status quo. She works to transform food systems and advance a more sustainable and just world. With Julie leading the organization, Mian leading our campaigns, and Suriya guiding our governance, I know VFAR’s best days are ahead. Please continue supporting the organization we’ve built together. The animals are counting on us, and together, we’ll keep delivering the victories they deserve. With gratitude, Allie Taylor – at New York, NY

🐘 10,000 AND COUNTING! 🐘 More than 10,000 of you have signed VFAR's petition urging the Bronx Zoo and the Wildlife Conservation Society to send Patty to sanctuary — and we are NOT slowing down. Last week, Bronx Zoo leadership announced they're considering an elephant sanctuary for Patty. That's huge, but no final decision has been made yet, and Patty is still waiting. Haven't signed yet? Now's the time: 🔗 vfar.org/patty