County renews spay-and-neuter contract, increases monthly support to $1,200

Van Zandt County commissioners approved a contract to provide spay-and-neuter services to county residents beginning Oct. 1, 2025, through Sept. 30, 2026, and increased the monthly contract amount from $1,000 last year to $1,200. A speaker identified as Kathy Zonicker reported that, from October 2024 through August 2025, the program had spayed and neutered 418 animals; commissioners noted that accounting for litters could mean thousands of animals kept off the streets. A commissioner clarified that the contract covers half the cost of spay-and-neuter services for users of the program and said the monthly increase is intended to cover full usage and help the nonprofit provider manage payroll timing. The court approved the contract with the corrected end date of Sept. 30, 2026, by voice vote.