Agenda Item Wording:
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Accept Grant For Animal Reunification - Authorize the City Council to accept and appropriate a $5,000.00 grant from Best Friends Animal Society and authorize the City Manager to designate the Animal Services Manager to execute the Best Friends Grant Agreement for the use of funding additional efforts to reunite owners with their pets and support our foster program.
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Deadline for Action: 11/18/2024
Submitting Department: Community Services
Contact Name and Phone Number: Candace Harrington Animal Services Manager, 559-713-4682, candace.harrington@visalia.city <mailto:candace.harrington@visalia.city> Jason Glick Parks and Recreation Director, 559-713-4042, jason.glick@visalia.city.
Department Recommendation:
That City Council authorizes acceptance of a $5,000.00 grant from the Best Friends Animal Society and appropriate the funds for the use of funding additional efforts to reunite owners with their pets and support our foster program.
Background Discussion:
In September 2024, Animal Services staff were presented with an opportunity to participate in the Return to Home Challenge by Best Friends Animal Society. For the month of September, staff followed guidelines to assist more animals in getting home. During September, Visalia Animal Services had an increase of twenty-five animals reunited in 2024 in comparison to September of 2023. For this effort, Best Friends Animal Society awarded Visalia Animal Services with a $5,000.00 grant. The City of Visalia was notified of the award of the grant on October 25, 2024.
Proposed Use of Grant Funds:
This grant would be used to purchase three microchip scanners and create three microchip scanning stations in the community using $2,000.00. The remaining $3,000.00 would be used to purchase supplies to support Animal Services foster program, such as crates, food, blankets, bowls, collars, leashes and other needed supplies for the animals in foster care.
Fiscal Impact:
The Best Friends Animal Society Grant awarded to the City of Visalia will cover the costs for continued efforts to reunite owners with their pets and buy needed supplies for our foster program.
Prior Council Action: None.
Other: N/A
Alternatives: To refuse the $5,000.00 Best Friends Animal Society Grant and forego the opportunity to increase the number of animals reunited in our community and additional support to our foster program that helps find our shelter pets homes.
Recommended Motion (and Alternative Motions if expected):
recommendation
Move that City Council authorize acceptance of a $5,000.00 grant from Best Friends Animal Society and appropriate the funds for the use of funding additional efforts to reunite owners with their pets and support our foster program; and authorize the City Manager to designate the Animal Services Manager to execute the Best Friends Grant Agreement.
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Environmental Assessment Status: N/A
CEQA Review: N/A
Attachments: Attachment A: (Best Friends Grant Agreement 2024)