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Joint Animal Services reports sharp rise in intake; staff blame pandemic-era spay/neuter gaps, housing and veterinary shortages
Summary
JASCOM reported a large increase in animal intake through March 31, including a nearly 49% increase in dog intake in the first quarter. Staff cited reduced spay/neuter access during the pandemic, higher veterinary costs and housing restrictions as drivers and discussed vouchers, high-volume clinics and potential legislative changes.
Joint Animal Services staff reported a substantial increase in shelter intake and field calls during the first quarter of 2025 and urged commissioners to consider longer-term solutions for spay/neuter access, veterinary shortages and housing barriers.
"We've already had almost a 49% increase in dog intake in the first quarter over last year," Executive Director Sarah Hock said, noting that intake is up even excluding an anomalous large-scale cruelty seizure earlier in the year. Hock said the shelter has seen an unusually high number of puppies and that warming months and kitten season could further increase intake.
Staff and outside speakers at the meeting attributed the rise to several interacting…
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