Animal Shelter plans to increase spay and neuter surgeries to meet community needs

The San Jose City Council's recent budget study session highlighted a significant push to enhance animal welfare services, particularly through the spay and neuter programs. Council members discussed the need to restore and expand the Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) initiative and community spay and neuter surgeries, responding to growing concerns about animal overpopulation.

Matt Lesh, a key speaker at the session, revealed that the city performed approximately 6,200 surgeries last year, marking a 30% increase from the previous year. He expressed optimism about ramping up these efforts, aiming for a target of 7,000 to 8,000 surgeries in the upcoming fiscal year. This ambitious goal will be supported by hiring additional part-time staff and collaborating with external partners to maximize surgical capacity.

Lesh noted that the current weekly capacity stands at 45 surgeries, with plans to increase this by an additional 15 to 20 surgeries per week. He emphasized the importance of tracking these metrics closely, as they play a crucial role in addressing the broader issue of animal welfare in the community.

Council members underscored the need for clear communication with the public regarding these targets, aiming to provide updates before a vote in June. The discussions reflect a commitment to tackling the complex challenges of animal overpopulation, with spay and neuter initiatives being a vital part of the solution. As the city prepares to publish a Management Budget Analysis (MBA) in the coming week, stakeholders are eager to see how these plans will unfold and contribute to the overall welfare of animals in San Jose.