The cost of caring for a pet in New York City has skyrocketed, putting even basic veterinary care out of reach for many households. In this episode, we hear from families navigating impossible choices, from high intake fees to relying on food stamps to feed their cats. We unpack how affordability, access, and inequality converge to leave more pets at risk, and more cats struggling outside.

Featured Voices:

* Karen Sabbie Smith — Colony Caretaker

* Nicolle Bradford — Community Member, Sally’s mom

* Mike Begej — Colony Caretaker

* Sassee Walker — Colony Caretaker

* Miss Pam — Colony Caretaker

* Patrice Johnson — Colony Caretaker

* Andrea Phillips — Community Member; Mom to Coco, Romano, and Asiago

* Andrea Westmoreland — Community Member, Grace’s mom

* Maxwell Branch — Community Program Director, Flatbush Cats

Learn More / Related Links:

* To learn more about Flatbush Cats, visit our website: flatbushcats.org

* Full episode transcript here.

Underfoot is hosted by Will Zweigart and Virginia Marshall. Field reporting by Sarah Gabrielli, with additional reporting by Priscilla Alabi. Episodes were recorded at Good Studio in Brooklyn, and mixed and mastered by Will Whatley. Special thanks to d3tails for sharing their music for this episode. Podcast art was created by Lazy Chief and the series was Executive Produced by None Other.

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