Humane Society report: PB-funded "Animals Matter" has helped 128 pets; group asks committee to consider funds for encampment clinics

The Humane Society of the North Bay told the Vallejo Participatory Budgeting Advisory Committee on Thursday that its PB-funded Animals Matter program has provided spay/neuter surgery, microchips and vaccines to dozens of local pet owners and shelters and that roughly $23,000 of the original $75,000 grant remains.

HSNB board member Katie Kogut, who said she joined the board in January 2026, described the program as a voucher and referral model that prioritized Vallejo residents who lack the resources to pay full-market surgical fees. The program has served 128 owned pets so far (69 cats, 59 dogs), Kogut said, with an average program cost of about $226 per surgery after guardian contributions.

The report matters locally because the program fills a gap left by pandemic-related declines in routine surgeries and by rising veterinary costs, officials said. Kogut said the PB grant paid set amounts for shelter pets and community services and helped negotiate discounted rates with private veterinary partners, including Community Cat Advocates, SNP (a mobile spayneuter provider), New All Creatures Veterinary in Vallejo and Silverado Veterinary Hospital in Napa.

HSNB described the original PB funding plan as $75,000 allocated roughly as follows: $10,000 to spay/neuter shelter animals, $10,000 to feral cat trapneuterreturn work, $15,000 for administrative costs, with the balance for owner-directed vouchers. Kogut said the shelter spent $10,000 on shelter animals, approximately $3,200 so far on administration (the board absorbed additional administrative work), and has used the remainder on owner referrals and TNR partners.

Kogut said eligibility requires Vallejo residency and evidence of financial need (EBT/Medi-Cal enrollment or a written attestation). The default guardian contribution is $50 (a reduced $20 rate or a waived fee are available), and HSNB triages referrals to high-volume, lower-cost clinics when appropriate while reserving private partners for pets with special needs.

On outcomes, Kogut said the program has reduced the risk of relinquishment and improved household safety in cases where unneutered animals created aggression; she recounted several clients who said assistance allowed them to keep pets they otherwise would have surrendered. The program also treated feral and community cats via partner TNR efforts.

With about $23,000 remaining, HSNB asked the committee to consider allocating part of that balance (Kogut cited $5,000 as an illustrative amount) to support a mobile clinic program that the Solano County Sheriffs Office and Fairfield Shelter have been running to reach homeless encampments. Kogut said Fairfieldled clinics have focused heavily in Vallejo and that an additional $5,000 clinic would allow more rounds of outreach while the partnershipbased work continues.

Commissioners asked whether repurposing funds would require a contract amendment; staff replied that any change to the award terms would need a contract amendment and should be placed on a future agenda so the commission can decide formally. Commissioners also discussed operational differences when serving unhoused residents (for example, follow-up and re-finding animals) and the programs stated intent to serve low-income and homeless Vallejo residents.

Joseph Hayden, HSNB board president, said the board is pursuing a longer-term goal of establishing a permanent low-cost spayneuter clinic but that the immediate request before the committee was how to use the remaining PB funds to maximize impact.

The committee did not take an immediate vote on reallocating funds; staff and HSNB were asked to place a contract-amendment or agenda item for a future meeting if commissioners want to consider a formal change.