DEPARTMENT: Animal Care Services
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Kathy Davis
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: City Wide
SUBJECT:
ACS Pets for Life Grant
SUMMARY:
An Ordinance ratifying the submission of and authorizing acceptance and appropriation of the $50,000 Pets for Life grant from the Humane Society of the United States for a period of one year from the date of acceptance
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
ACS will continue to build on its success through the implementation of innovative solutions. ACS will focus its efforts and resources in FY2014 on (1) enhancing field enforcement; (2) increasing community spay/neuter services; (3) maximizing kennel capacity; and (4) maintaining its successful Live Release Program.
Over the course of the last few months, ACS has actively searched for grants and community programs that coincide with the mission of ACS. ACS has been awarded two grants: The Pets for Life Grant for $50,000 and the Feral Cats Spay/Neuter Grant for $10,000. The following provides background for the grants and the strategy for their usage:
In September 2013, ACS was awarded a $50,000 grant by the Humane Society of the United States for its Pet for Life initiative. The Pets for Life initiative, founded by PetSmart Charities, is a community outreach initiative designed to extend animal welfare resources and information to pet owners who either have not received such services or received services without any long-lasting impact. The initiative is centered in communities that have the lease access to services and information and is a two-pronged program: (1) provide direct services to pet owners in under-served communities; (2) train/mention other organizations to do the same.
If accepted, ACS would utilize this program in the 78202 zip code (located in District 5) by allocating $30,000 for additional spay/neuter services. The remaining funds would be allocated towards meeting the targeted community needs throughout the City such as: Community education and training; vaccination clinics, flea treatment, or product and services associated with pet retention.
ISSUE:
An Ordinance ratifying the submission of and authorizing the acceptance and appropriation of the $50,000.00 Pets for Life grant from the Humane Society of the United States for a period of one year from the date of acceptance. The Pets for Life initiative grant of $50,000.00 would allow ACS to pay for an additional 566 free community spay/neuter surgeries in the 78202 zip code (located in District 5) during FY 2013. ACS would also utilize the funds towards meeting the targeted community needs through services such as: Community education and training, vaccination clinics, flea treatment, or product and services associated with pet retention. By providing 566 free community spay/neuter surgeries, the City could avoid over 1,981 stray pet births annually.
ALTERNATIVES:
If the ordinance is not approved, Animal Care Services would be limited to the number of free spay/neuter surgeries it would be able to provide in 78202 zip code (located in District 5) which has a high concentrated population of stray animals. In addition, the City could see an increase in stray animals located in this zip code.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The acceptance of this grant in the amount of $50,000 for a period of one year from the date of acceptance does not require a City cash match contribution, nor does it authorize an increase in personnel count.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends ratifying the submission of, accepting and appropriating the $50,000 Pet's For Life Grant for the Humane Society of the United States for a period of one year.