The Hen Report: “This Is Big” | NYC Bans Horse Carriages

In this episode of The Hen Report, Jasmin and Mariann discuss groundbreaking news: New York City’s horse-drawn carriage industry may finally be coming to an end under Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s administration. They trace the decades-long grassroots fight to ban carriage horses in NYC—from protest carols at Columbus Circle to the strategic political organizing that made this moment possible—while highlighting the activists and organizations, including Voters for Animal Rights and the work of Allie Feldman Taylor, who helped build the political power behind the bill. The conversation also explores the vital role of grassroots activism in the broader animal rights movement, the upcoming City Council vote on October 22nd, and what this iconic victory could mean for animals far beyond New York City.

• NYC Horse-Drawn Carriage Ban: Mayor Mamdani announced the industry is coming to an end, with the City Council vote expected on October 22nd and a potential phase-out date of June 1, 2028. The bill includes humane disposition requirements for the horses.
• Decades of Grassroots Organizing: The hosts reflect on their personal history with this campaign, including Christmas carols rewritten as protest songs, and explain why this long-fought battle is a testament to the power of persistent grassroots activism.
• Key Organizations and Activists: A spotlight on the groups that made this possible—including Voters for Animal Rights, NYCLASS, Equine Advocates, and the ASPCA—with special recognition for Allie Feldman Taylor, who now heads the NYC Mayor’s Office of Animal Welfare.
• The Catalyst and the Context: The tragic death of a young man from India after a carriage accident helped trigger this moment, but it was the years of organizing beforehand that made the movement ready to act when tragedy struck—drawing international press coverage from the UK, Australia, and India.
• The Broader Grassroots Movement: The discussion expands to celebrate grassroots activism across the animal rights movement, including the upcoming interview with Cat Phipps about live export protests in the UK, the March to End Animal Testing, and a reminder that local, in-person advocacy remains essential to creating lasting change for animals.

RESOURCES

• • • • • Animal Law and Policy Institute at Vermont Law & Graduate School
        • The Effects Of Digital Advocacy: What A Single Exposure To Digital Animal Advocacy Can (And Can’t) Do
        • New York City’s iconic horse-drawn carriages expected to take their last trot
        • Horse-drawn carriages in New York City expected to be outlawed

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Join hostesses Jasmin Singer and Mariann Sullivan on this unique and fun award-winning podcast that focuses on changing the world for animals.

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