Tulsa Animal Welfare Commission backs updated animal-services fee schedule, will send proposal to city council

The Tulsa Animal Welfare Commission voted March 10 to recommend an updated fee schedule for Tulsa Animal Services and directed staff to forward the proposal to the City Council for consideration.

Commissioner Christine Coonsweiler, chair of the commission, moved to accept the proposed fee schedule during the meeting; the motion was seconded and carried on a voice vote. "I move we accept these proposed fees," Coonsweiler said before the vote.

The commission’s recommendation updates a fee schedule the presenters said has not been revised since 02/2008 and would raise several charges to help the shelter recoup rising personnel, fuel and veterinary costs. Staff described increases in impound and daily-housing fees, a new one-time rabies-observation fee for animals held for bite investigations, higher sterilization deposits and a broader restructuring of adoption and permit charges.

Why it matters: Tulsa Animal Services staff told the commission the department has been operating with rates that…