Agenda Item Wording:
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Animal Services Department Grant Authorization - Authorize staff to apply for the American Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals grant for up to $95,000 to reduce and waive return to home fees for pets in the shelter along with reduce pet adoption fees and appropriate if awarded.
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Prepared by: Candace Harrington, Animal Services Manager 559-713-4682, candace.harrington@visalia.gov
Jason Glick, Parks & Recreation Director 559-713-4042, Jason.Glick@visalia.gov
Department Recommendation: Authorize the Visalia Animal Services Department to apply for the ASPCA grant for up to $95,000 to create a pilot program reducing and fully subsidizing return to home fees along with reduced pet adoption fees by the extension deadline of November 5, 2025. Staff is also requesting to appropriate the grant if awarded.
Summary:
Animal Services staff is requesting authorization to apply for the American Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) Grant for up to $95,000. $50,000 of these funds would go towards subsidizing and waiving return to home fees. The remaining $45,000 would go towards reducing and waiving adoption fees for shelter animals. These funds, in total, would help 413 shelter animals go home and find a new home. Any leftover funds will be allocated to return to home fees for owners outside the City of Visalia. The grant has to be spent during the 2026 calendar year. The grant funding is available to anyone who is reclaiming or adopting a dog with first priority to Visalia residents and remaining funds able to be provided to other agencies housing animals at the Animal Care facility.
Background Discussion:
Animal Services staff was presented with an opportunity to apply for an American Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) Grant. The application to be submitted by staff requests a total of $95,000, which was divided between a request for $50,000 to reduce and waive return to home fees for 142 pets and $45,000 to reduce and waive adoption fees for 271 pets.
The City was notified of the grant opportunity and has until the October 17th deadline to apply. Visalia Animal Services was granted an extension to submit the grant application by November 5, 2025 pending City Council approval.
Proposed Use of Grant Funds:
This grant would be used to reduce the return to home fees by at least $300 for each pet being returned home in the City of Visalia for a total of up to $50,000. Additionally $45,000 would be used to reduce or waive adoption by at least $130 for each pet being adopted. If there are grant funds left over, funds will be allocated to return to home fees for owners living outside the City of Visalia.
Fiscal Impact: The grant to the City of Visalia for reduced and waived return to home fees will cover the return to home cost of up to 142 animals being reunited with their owners. The other grant portion for reducing and waiving adoption fees would cover 271 adopted pets. Totaling the impact for the animals at 413 receiving a positive outcome. The operation of this program would use current City staff and would not result in any material increase in cost to the Animal Services Fund. No General Fund money is requested for this program.
Prior Council Action: None
Other: N/A
Alternatives: To not apply for the Grant.
Recommended Motion (and Alternative Motions if expected):
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Move that Council Authorizes staff to apply for the ASPCA grant for up to $95,000 for reduced and waived adoption and return to home fees; and appropriate if grant is awarded.
Environmental Assessment Status: N/A
CEQA Review: N/A
Deadline for Action: 11/3/2025
Attachments: Attachment A: ASPCA Grant Information