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Animal services seeks $80,000 for part‑time veterinarian and $140,000 in overtime ahead of new shelter opening
Summary
Tulsa Animal Services told the Urban Economic Development Committee on June 4 it needs an additional $80,000 for a part‑time or contract veterinarian and roughly $140,000 in overtime funding to support operations as it readies to move into a 24,000‑square‑foot shelter planned for July 2026.
Tulsa Animal Services presented a budget and capital update focused on veterinary services, staff capacity and operations tied to a new shelter under construction.
Department presenters (Sherry and Colton) said the new shelter is on schedule, with tentative construction completion of July 8, 2026, and that the new facility will be roughly 24,000 square feet (the current facility is about 16,000). Staff recommended expanding medical and operations capacity in advance of the move. Key figures cited in the briefing:
• Current authorized staff: 45 team members; recommended staffing for new facility: 62.5 positions (department formula).
• Current veterinary services budget: $30,000 (primarily diagnostic lab and necropsy costs). Department requested adding $80,000 to fund a contract or part‑time veterinarian to decrease adoption surgery wait time and increase the shelter’s live outcomes.
• Overtime: staff estimated about $140,000 annually in overtime/standby pay related to after‑hours calls, holiday staffing and other operational needs; the department said prior vacant positions sometimes absorbed overtime but that with a separate animal services department the safety net is reduced.
• Operational statistics (2024–through May 25): total intakes ~12,000; spay/neuter surgeries ~6,000; save rate about 77–78%; ACO (animal control officer) calls for service ~22,000 (average monthly ~1,300).
Presenters described expanded partnerships — mobile clinic services, spay/neuter vouchers, microchip programs, and collaboration with Invest North and Best Friends — that reduce city costs and increase return‑to‑owner opportunities. They also noted increases in cruelty/abuse investigations and work with Tulsa Police and the district attorney on those cases.
Councilors pressed for budget clarity. Committee members highlighted three priorities for near‑term consideration: (1) add veterinary capacity to prevent the high stress/turnover dynamic staff described, (2) formally budget overtime rather than relying on vacancies, and (3) develop a multi‑year staffing plan and recruitment pipeline so the shelter opens with a phased staffing ramp to avoid chronic overwork.
Formal action: the committee heard the department’s request and asked staff and budget offices for follow‑up figures; no council appropriation was recorded in the meeting transcript.
