City staff told the commission that the municipal animal holding facility is consistently full and the city plans both a kennel expansion and to expand spay-and-neuter services to reduce intake pressure.

The animal-control presenter said the animal holding facility currently has 10 kennels that are typically full. "As we speak, yes. That is that is I mean, that's our ongoing problem is that we don't have space," the staff member said during the departmental report. Staff proposed adding an additional 10 kennels (for a total of 20) and adding office space, a small conference room and a visiting area to support future on-site veterinary services.

Commissioners and staff emphasized that adding kennels alone will not solve long-term overpopulation. Several speakers pressed for expanded spay-and-neuter access. Staff reported that a veterinarian from YMR Veterinary Services in McAllen, Dr. Rivera (originally from Rio Grande City), has agreed to run a rabies clinic on Saturday, May 24, and has indicated willingness to provide spay-and-neuter services in Rio Grande City in the near future. Staff said the veterinarian has discussed bringing a mobile unit to the city by October if arrangements are finalized.

The commission discussed prior voucher programs: staff said the city previously distributed about 100 spay/neuter vouchers and roughly 90 had been used. Commissioners instructed staff to prepare a new batch of vouchers (discussed as another 100) and coordinate scheduling with the visiting veterinarian. City staff also said they are pursuing repeat voucher distribution and told commissioners they are working on procuring additional funding and scheduling multiple sessions to maximize use.

The animal-control report also included a tentative rabies clinic for May 24, and staff said they were continuing to explore grants and partnerships to secure recurring spay/neuter clinics rather than relying solely on additional kennels.