Save City Funding for Spay/Neuter Programs

City's Final Town Hall Meeting on Budget Cuts
Date: June 30, 2009
Time: 6:30 pm
Location: Givens Recreation Center

The City of Austin will hold its final Town Hall meeting regarding proposed budget cuts on Tuesday, June 30 at 6:30 p.m. at Givens Recreation Center.

Ask the City Manager to restore the $30,000 for the Feral Cat Sterilization Program and the $195,000 for spay/neuter services provided by Emancipet in low income areas.
If these two important program are cut from the City budget, it will result in an increase of unwanted puppies and kittens and increased killing of dogs and cats at the Town Lake Animal Center.

The City staff is saying that the money in the Donations Fund can be used to pay for these programs. The problem with saying that is that this year's Donations Fund already goes to pay for additional spay/neuter services so cutting the City funds and using Donations Funds is a cut to spay/neuter programs any way you look at it.

If you cannot attend the forum (or even if you can and do attend) also write to City Manager Marc Ott at Marc.Ott@ci.austin.tx.us and ask him NOT to cut spay/neuter programs for the pets of low income residents or for feral cats.

Austin American-Statesman:City budget cuts put free sterilization programs in jeopardy. Animal advocates say cutting back on spaying and neutering would increase euthanasia rate. Read article