L.A. to halt low-cost spay-neuter program
Citing a budget shortfall, Los Angeles animal control officials say they will end a voucher program that enabled residents to get low cost spaying and neutering for their dogs.
The program started last year, when the city voted to require all Los Angeles dogs and cats be neutered or spayed, with the exception of show animals, law enforcement and service dogs, and those deemed too old or sick for the surgery.
L.A. Animal Services General Manager Ed Boks says the agency was compelled by the city to make up a budget shortfall of $414,000. Ending the spay and neuter vouchers will save about $150,000, he said.
Animal welfare advocates, and some city council members, are displeased with the decision to end the program, according to the Los Angeles Times.
Councilman Dennis Zine’s office said he ”strongly opposes the recent decision made by the department to halt the voucher program” and will move later this week for the council to reinstate the program.
Posted by jwoestendiek March 17th, 2009 under Muttsblog.
Tags: animal, animal control, budget, cats, city, city council, control, dogs, ed boks, los angeles, low cost, low-income, mandatory, neuter, neutering, pets, population, program, shortfall, spay, spaying, sterilization, voucher
