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Local spay/neuter clinic seeks county funding, says free surgeries prevent overpopulation
Summary
Representatives of a newly opened Taos County free spay/neuter clinic requested county support of $85 per surgery for non‑town clients and highlighted more than 800 surgeries completed in three months; speakers said funding would reduce animal overpopulation and public‑health risks.
At the start of the meeting's public‑comment period, multiple speakers representing local animal‑welfare organizations asked Taos County for financial support for a free spay/neuter clinic. Donna Carr, who identified herself as program director, said the clinic recently opened in El Prado and provides free spay/neuter services, vaccines and microchips to Taos County residents and is run largely by volunteers.
"In just over three months, we've completed over 800 surgeries," Carr said, and requested "$85 per surgery for each non‑town client," describing the amount as roughly half the cost of other options and a pay‑for‑performance model: "If we don't spay or neuter, we don't bill a penny." Leanne Mitchell, president of the local nonprofit (stated in remarks), said at projected volume the county's $85 contribution for half of 2,000 surgeries could prevent an estimated 1,000 litters this year.
Jim Riley, who said he has experience with national animal welfare organizations and worked as an analyst, told commissioners the permanent clinic would reach far more animals than episodic mobile clinics and urged funding. Other local rescuers said free clinic access helps reduce other public‑health burdens by enabling needed follow‑up care for rescued animals.
What happens next: speakers asked commissioners to consider the funding request and to review the written public‑funding proposal staff circulated earlier in the year; no formal vote on funding occurred during the meeting.
