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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE / DIVISION OF ANIMAL SERVICES - Director of Animal Services Tom Moss and Animal Care Center Manager Christine McClintock
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Requested Action(s)
recommendation
a) PUBLIC HEARING - Conduct public hearing to consider adoption of the proposed ordinance setting fees to be charged by the Tehama County Department of Agriculture, Division of Animal Services in connection with spaying/neutering of dogs and cats adopted from the Tehama County Animal Care Center
b) ORDINANCE NO. 2138 - Request adoption of an ordinance setting fees to be charged by the Tehama County Department of Agriculture, Division of Animal Services in connection with spaying/neutering of dogs and cats adopted from the Tehama County Animal Care Center
1) Waive the reading
2) Accept the introduction
3) Adopt the ordinance
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Financial Impact:
The spay/neuter fees will have no direct impact to the Division of Animal Services budget as the charges for these services are offset by the fees collected.
Background Information:
Tehama County Code Section 7.08.105.0 established the adoption fee increment for County spayed/neutered animals (charged in addition to the standard adoption fee). This fee is the same amount that is charged by the contracted veterinarian.
The current contract expired on March 31,2024, and the new proposed contract will include price increases to the County that warrant the adjustment to the spay/neuter fees.
• Cat spaying/neutering will increase from $75 to $80
• Dog spaying/neutering will increase from $130 to $140
The County transports newly adopted animals to the contracted veterinarian, who will spay/neuter the animals prior to releasing the animal to the new owner. The County may also select appropriate impounded animals, which will be spayed/neutered prior to adopting animals to new owners. The spay/neuter fees will be charged as an adoption fee increment for these animals, in addition to the regular adoption fee. The spay/neuter fees are established pursuant to the County’s constitutional police power (Cal. Const. art. XI § 7). In accordance with Article XIII C of the California Constitution (Prop. 26), the adoption fee increment for spay/neuter services is imposed for a specific government service provided directly to the payor that is not provided to those not charged and does not exceed the reasonable costs to the County for providing service.