City Council

(10) 23-0452 NEIGHBORHOODS AND COMMUNITY ENRICHMENT COMMITTEE REPORT relative to rate increases for the Spay and Neuter Program and Citywide Cat program, and amendment to existing contracts to apply the recommended new rates. Recommendations for Council action: INSTRUCT the City Administrative Officer to report relative to the November 28, 2023 Department of Animal Services (DAS) report, attached to the Council file, with recommendations concerning rate adjustments, programming, funding, and appropriations to move forward with the increasing rates. RECEIVE and FILE the November 8, 2023 DAS report, attached to the Council file. Fiscal Impact Statement: The DAS reports that the total amount of funds available for animal sterilization varies year to year. The FY 2023-24 Adopted Budget provided $2.4 million for the Spay and Neuter Program to supplement the projected revenue to reimburse participating veterinary practices. DAS estimates that the $500,000 from the Unappropriated Balance for the Citywide Cat Program will fund approximately three months of free-roaming cat sterilizations and that the program will need additional funds to fund sterilizations for the remainder of the fiscal year. Increasing the rates as described in this report will result in a $4,155,985 increase to the Animal Sterilization Fund in the current fiscal year.