Allie Feldman Taylor

Allie Feldman Taylor is the founder and president of Voters for Animal Rights (VFAR), a New York City-based 501(c)(4) nonprofit organization focused on animal protection advocacy49. A veteran NYC animal advocate, Taylor established VFAR in 2016 as a "multi-issue political advocacy group" specifically targeting New York animal protection issues49.

Taylor's primary significance in the foie gras landscape stems from her leadership role in the successful campaign to ban foie gras sales in New York City. Working alongside Matt Dominguez, she coordinated much of the lobbying and grassroots outreach for the two-year campaign that launched in 20174743. Taylor's organization built a broad coalition of supporters and was instrumental in pressing council members through letter-writing campaigns and research delivery, including VFAR's finding that only 1.3% of restaurants in NYC served foie gras22.

As a vocal opponent of foie gras production, Taylor frequently spoke out against the industry, stating "Foie gras = cruelty, period," and specifically targeting Hudson Valley Foie Gras as evidence for the need for a ban127. Her advocacy work extended beyond the foie gras campaign, as she had previously impacted the 2013 mayoral race through her prior work with NYCLASS, demonstrating her established influence in New York City animal protection politics49. Taylor notably took no salary from VFAR during the organization's campaign work, reflecting her volunteer-driven approach to advocacy49.

Allie Feldman Taylor is a veteran New York City animal rights activist who founded Voters for Animal Rights (VFAR) in 2016 as a 501(c)(4) nonprofit focused on multi-issue political advocacy for animal protection in New York49. Prior to establishing VFAR, Taylor gained political experience through her work with NYCLASS, where she had already impacted the 2013 mayoral race by campaigning against Christine Quinn49.

Taylor's most significant achievement came through her leadership of the two-year campaign to ban foie gras sales in New York City, launched in 2017 alongside co-founder Matt Dominguez47. As VFAR's president, Taylor coordinated much of the lobbying and grassroots outreach for the coalition campaign, building broad support for what became a successful legislative effort43. Her organization conducted research showing that only 1.3% of restaurants served foie gras, data that Taylor and VFAR delivered to council members through letter-writing campaigns22.

Throughout the campaign, Taylor maintained a consistent public stance against foie gras production, frequently stating "Foie gras = cruelty, period" and specifically referencing Hudson Valley Foie Gras operations as evidence supporting the ban127. When the ban passed in 2019, Taylor and VFAR celebrated the victory as validation of their political strategy22. Taylor notably took no salary from VFAR during this period, while the organization allocated $14,400 (14.9% of expenses) for executive compensation to other staff or contractors49.

Following the foie gras campaign's success, Taylor continued leading VFAR's advocacy on other animal protection issues, including testifying before the New York City Council in May 2025 regarding funding for trap-neuter-return programs and pet food bank initiatives49.

Allie Feldman Taylor founded and leads Voters for Animal Rights (VFAR), the primary organization behind New York City's successful foie gras ban campaign. Taylor established VFAR in 2016 as a 501(c)(4) nonprofit focused on multi-issue political advocacy for animal protection in New York City 49. Drawing on her previous experience with NYCLASS, where she had already impacted the 2013 mayoral race by campaigning against Christine Quinn, Taylor positioned VFAR as a dedicated political advocacy group 49.

In 2017, Taylor and VFAR co-founder Matt Dominguez launched a comprehensive two-year campaign to ban foie gras sales in NYC 47. Taylor coordinated much of the lobbying and grassroots outreach efforts, building a broad coalition of supporters and working closely with other animal rights organizations 43. Her organization conducted targeted research, finding that only 1.3% of restaurants in NYC served foie gras, and delivered this data to council members through organized letter-writing campaigns 22.

Throughout the campaign, Taylor maintained an uncompromising public stance, frequently stating "Foie gras = cruelty, period" and specifically targeting Hudson Valley Foie Gras as evidence for the ban 127128. She accused the company of orchestrating misleading farm tours and consistently referenced their operations in advocacy efforts. Taylor's leadership proved effective when the NYC Council passed the foie gras ban in 2019, with VFAR celebrating the victory as a significant animal welfare achievement 22.

Beyond foie gras, Taylor continued her advocacy work, taking no salary from VFAR while the organization allocated $14,400 for executive compensation to other staff 49. In 2025, she testified before the NYC Council during budget hearings, urging continued funding for trap-neuter-return programs and pet food bank initiatives 49.

Allie Feldman Taylor, founder and president of Voters for Animal Rights (VFAR), has maintained a consistently strong anti-foie gras stance, positioning herself as one of New York City's most prominent advocates for banning the product. Taylor founded VFAR in 2016 as a multi-issue political advocacy group focused on animal protection in New York City49.

Taylor's opposition to foie gras centers on animal cruelty concerns, with her frequently stating "Foie gras = cruelty, period" and specifically referencing Hudson Valley Foie Gras farm as evidence supporting a ban127128. Her arguments consistently frame foie gras production as inherently cruel, without apparent evolution in her fundamental position over time.

As VFAR's leader, Taylor coordinated much of the lobbying and grassroots outreach during the successful NYC foie gras ban campaign from 2017-201943. She launched a two-year campaign alongside co-leader Matt Dominguez, building a broad coalition of supporters and working directly with bill sponsors47. Taylor's tactical approach included organizing letter-writing campaigns, delivering research to council members (such as findings that only 1.3% of restaurants served foie gras), and mobilizing public support2249.

Taylor's advocacy extends beyond rhetorical opposition to strategic political action. Drawing on her prior experience with NYCLASS, where she had already impacted the 2013 mayoral race, she transformed VFAR into an effective political force that turned "ideas once seen as fringe into law"49. Throughout the campaign and afterward, she has accused Hudson Valley Foie Gras of orchestrating misleading farm tours while maintaining her absolute position against the product127.

Her stance appears to have remained consistent rather than evolved—maintaining unwavering opposition to foie gras production as fundamentally cruel while developing increasingly sophisticated political strategies to achieve legislative bans.