Residents and rescuers urge Fresno to fund mass spay-and-neuter and rescue support

A steady stream of speakers during the unscheduled communication portion of the Jan. 29 meeting urged the Fresno City Council to commit immediate funding and policy changes to address an escalating animal overpopulation and public-safety crisis.

Rescue organizers, foster parents and residents reported packs of free-roaming dogs, frequent abandoned litters, dead animals in public rights-of-way, and attacks on pets and people. “This is a crisis,” one speaker said. Several speakers representing California Spay and other nonprofit providers described existing capacity to carry out mass spay-and-neuter clinics if the city would release or reallocate funds, provide transport support and authorize voucher programs.

Speakers asked for specific actions including: city-funded mass spay-and-neuter events, better coordination with nonprofits and rescue groups, clarified enforcement that distinguishes between malicious breeders and community rescuers, and targeted outreach for low-income pet owners and unhoused residents who keep animals.

Councilmembers acknowledged the severity of the problem and described current efforts. The City’s Animal Center director had earlier explained the adoption-hold and foster-to-adopt deposits that aim to reduce no-shows while the city expands veterinary capacity. Councilmembers noted the shelter had provided nearly 10,000 services in the previous year, but advocates said prevention funding remained effectively zero in the shelter budget and that demand far outstrips capacity.

Council members asked advocates to submit concrete proposals and to work with staff during budget preparation so the administration and council can evaluate funding options. The City Manager and shelter staff said they would review requests and meet with community groups, noting limited existing staff and veterinary capacity and urging coordinated proposals that can be incorporated into the budget process.