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Committee raises spay/neuter voucher amounts, adds rabbits and quarterly reporting
Summary
The committee approved increasing spay/neuter voucher rates to the CAO's Alternative 1, expanded the change to include rabbits and on-site and mobile contractors, and directed quarterly funding status reports before funds are exhausted.
The Budget and Finance Committee on June 4 amended and approved adjustments to the city's spay-and-neuter voucher program to increase voucher values and expand coverage to include rabbits, while ordering more frequent reporting on program funding.
After presentations and public comments urging higher voucher amounts and inclusion of rabbits, the committee voted 4–0 (Hutt absent) to adopt Alternative 1 from the CAO report dated Jan. 16, 2025, with clarifying language that the increase apply to on-site contractors, contracted mobile spay-and-neuter clinics and the citywide cat (TNR) program. The committee instructed the Department of Animal Services and the CAO to report to the Arts, Parks, Libraries and Community Enrichment Committee and the Budget & Finance Committee on the program's funding status before funds are exhausted; the committees asked for quarterly reports.
Councilmembers noted that increasing voucher amounts will not increase the pool of funds, so higher per-procedure payments will reduce the total number of vouchers available unless the city increases the program's funding. Public speakers representing rabbit rescue organizations urged raising the rabbit voucher to $250; the committee's action adopted Alternative 1 language and instructed departments to identify ways to close funding gaps and recommend phasing approaches.
Ending: The committee approved the increased voucher rates and the added rabbit category and asked departments for quarterly status reports and recommendations for maintaining program access.
