Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Animal Services topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council advances animal-services fee ordinance on first reading; changes would allow owner-requested euthanasia and cost recovery
Summary
On first reading the council approved amendments to the animals chapter to authorize owner-requested humane euthanasia, authorize seizure/impound actions for public nuisance animals and authorize recovery of associated costs; the ordinance would take effect Jan. 1, 2026, if adopted.
Ashley Wilno (animal services manager) presented a first-reading ordinance to amend the city code’s animals chapter. Staff said the ordinance would update departmental designation for animal services within the code, explicitly authorize the animal services manager to perform owner-requested humane euthanasia for dogs and cats (with associated fees), and allow animal services to accept, seize, impound, inspect, register and euthanize public nuisance animals while collecting costs incurred.
Wilno told the council that, upon delivery of an animal for owner-requested euthanasia, ownership would transfer to the city and the owner would be required to pay related fees. The proposed changes also formalize that animal services management now sits in the Parks, Recreation & Culture department. If the ordinance is approved on second reading, staff said it would become effective on Jan. 1, 2026.
Council Member Pham moved and Council Member Galante seconded; the motion passed on first reading. Additional public hearings or staff follow-ups were not specified in the meeting record for this item.
