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...
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