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Council hears report on nearly $1 million in unspent spay/neuter trust funds, approves outreach steps

2150229 · January 25, 2025
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Summary

Councilmember Wendy Walters called item 23 special and pressed the animal services department on nearly $1 million in unspent trust funds for spay/neuter programs. Department staff estimated roughly $960,000 would remain unspent this fiscal year; the council approved a committee report to pursue outside partnerships and mobile clinics.

Councilmember Wendy Walters called item 23 special on April 17 to press the city’s animal services department about unspent trust funds earmarked for spay/neuter programs. Department representatives told the council they expect to spend approximately $1.1 million on sterilization activities this fiscal year but that trust funds will nonetheless remain; the department estimated roughly $960,000 in unexpended trust funds at year‑end.

Walters and members of the Budget and Finance Committee urged the department to use outside partners and mobile units to reach neighborhoods where vouchers go unused because residents lack transportation or access to participating veterinarians. Councilmembers and committee members cited a proposal from a nonprofit (Actors and Others for Animals) and authorized steps to pursue mobile‑unit outreach and third‑party partnerships to increase uptake of spay/neuter services.

The council approved the committee report on the item by a recorded vote of 10 ayes. Council members said they will continue oversight in budget hearings to ensure trust funds are spent for their intended purpose.

Ending Committee and council members directed the department to pursue outside partnerships and mobile clinics to increase use of existing spay/neuter funds and to report back during the budget process.