Council directs interim animal‑shelter programs and asks staff to return with implementation plan

The Tracy City Council on March 4 directed staff to pursue a package of interim measures to relieve overcrowding at the Tracy Animal Shelter while a Phase 2 facility evaluation is completed, and asked staff to return with a plan addressing enforcement, outreach and nonprofit partnerships.

Shelter manager Bridal Pasquale presented a menu of immediate and intermediate options staff developed after community meetings and a facilities reevaluation by outside architects. Immediate options — described as feasible within 30–60 days — included: (A) increase funding for low‑cost spay/neuter for owned dogs in the city (staff estimated $16,200 annually for about 100 additional surgeries); (B) subsidize adoptions (staff estimated $97,200 annually if the city covered fees for roughly 400 dog adoptions); (C) a foster incentive program (estimated $10,000 annually, $100 per 30 days of foster care); and (D)…