HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda Statement 1987/01/13 Item 8 COUNCIL��w"v�u� AGmnDA STATEMENT
Item 8
Meeting Date I/13/87
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ITEM TITLE: Resolution / ���� *-- Amend Master Fee Schedule. for Adoption of
Animals
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SUBMITTED BY: Director of Public Safet
Y; j (4/5ths Vote: Yes
REVIEWED BY: City Manager
Staff has administered an Adoption Program at the Animal Shelter
since 1980. This program was significantly altered in 1986 when a
new law was passed that required dogs and cats to be either spayed or
neutered prior to adoption, or have the person make a deposit which
would be refunded after proof of spay or neuter was provided. Since
this program was implemented in June of 1986, the monthly average on
dog adoptions has decreased from thirty-three to twenty-one. Mercy
Crusade, Inc. , an animal welfare organization , has petitioned the
City to reduce the overall adoption fee in order to increase the
numbers of animals that are adopted .
RECOMMENDATION: Adopt resolution establishing new fees.
BOARDS/COMMISSIONS RECOMMENDATION: N/A
DISCUSSION:
The new 1986 legislation requires a spay/neuter deposit not to exceed
$40, and the Chula Vista Shelter has been requiring the full $40
deposit . This fee decision was made after calling a number of vet
clinics in the South Bay and determining that their average fee for
spay/neuter was in the $40 range. This means that a citizen who wants
to adopt a dog must pay the following fees in Chula Vista:
Spay/Neuter Deposit - $40, 00
Adoption Fee - 21 . 50
C. V. Dog License - 9. 00
Rabies Shot - -8,00
Total - $78. 50
Prior to the spay/neuter legislation , Chula Vista was charging $38. 50
to adopt an animal . The $40. 00 spay/neuter deposit has raised the
fee to the $78- 50 level . If the individual who adopts the animal has
it spayed/neutered , they can reclaim the $40. 00 and their total
expenditure is back to $38. 50.
The $21 . 50 adoption fee is based on the amount of staff time and food
provided in the care of animals prior to adoption . During the past
few years, the annual revenue from adoptions has averaged $7, 000-
Form Ar113 (Rev. 11/79)
Rage 2, Itec____8______
Meeting Date__1y13/87_-
In this report , staff will be recommending a reduction in our
adoption fee from $2l . 50 to $13. 00' This will decrease our annual
revenue from adoptions' It appears that the adoption of this
spay/neuter legislation will result in a loss of revenue to the City.
This new legislation did contain an A8-90 disclaimer which prohibits
the City the opportunity to petition the State for this loss of
revenue.
Anyone adopting a dog must pay $8. 00 as a rabies shot deposit . The
individual adopting a dog is provided with a list of clinics that
will provide the rabies shot for $8. 00, in addition to a free health
examination , a free grooming , and free puppy shots for dogs under six
months of age.
3ince the implementation of the spay/neuter program, the average
number of dogs adopted has decreased from 33 per month to 21 per
month. Obviously, the increase to $78. 50 for adoption has had a
negative impact . ApproximateIy 50% of the citizens who have placed a
spay/neuter deposit have not reclaimed the deposit by e^ hibiting
evidence of having the animal spayed or neutered . The law requires
these unclaimed funds tc be utilized for the following purposes:
I . A public education program to prevent overpopulation of
dogs and cats.
Z' A program to spay or neuter- dogs and oats.
3. A follow-up program to assure that animals sold or given
away by the pound or shelter are spayed or neutered .
4' Any additional costs incur-red as a result of the new
legislation .
The information that tel compares the rates in Chula Vista with
other jurisdictions in San Diego County, as well as two cities in
Orange County. (These figures only include spay/neuter deposits and
adoption fees; license fees and rabies shots are not included. )
Deposits
Neuter 'pay Adoption
Males Females Foes
San Diego County $25 $30 $ 5
El Cajon 20 30 lL
Escondido 30 30 15
Oceanside 20 20 15. 70
Irvine 15 15 15
Orange eo 25 14
Average $72. 50 $75 $ 13
Chula • Vista $4() $40 $71 . 50
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Page 7,l, Item___________
Meeting Date__1/ 13/87__
In reference to the spay/neuter deposit , we are $15 to $17. 50 higher
than the average' The purpose of the deposit is to encourage the
person adopting the dog to have the animal spayed or neutered .
Chart A lists the fees charged for spay and neuter service by
fourteen clinics that are located in the greater South Day area'
They exhibit a wide range of FeEs, and they also show that it ' s more
expensive to spay a fcmole than it is to neuter a male dog. The fee
also increases in proportion to the weight of the animal . Chart A
lists fees up to 60 pounds; the fee generally increases by T, 50 for
every pound of weight . There will also be an additional fee if the
dog is pregnant or obese. The majority of the dogs that we adopt at
the Chula Vista Animal Shelter fall in the 20 to 40 pound range. The
average fee to spay a dog in the 20 to 40 pound range at one of the
low cost clinics is $75, and the average cost to neuter the same size
dog is $22'
In analyzing these fees in comparison to the $40 deposit we have been
requiring , it is difficult tc establish the correct deposit in
relationship to the apparent intent of the new law. Staff ' s
contention is if you place the deposit fee too low, the individual
may not be motivated to spend additional money for the spay/neuter
service and , therefore, is willing to forfeit his deposit . In Chula
Vista our experience for the first six months with a $40 deposit is
that half of the adoptees have forfeited the depoc,it-
RECOMMENDATION
Staff ' s recommendation for a new fee schedule is as follows:
Current Feu Recommendation
Spay $40. 00 Under 40 Lbs. - $30- 00
Over 40 Lbs- - 40, 00
Neuter $40. 00 Under 40 Lbs. 20. 00
Over 40 Lbs. - 25. 00
Adoption Fee $21 , 50 $13. 00
Dog License $9. 00 No fee for first year .
Rabies Shot $8. 00 $8- 00
To reduce the adoption cost for the adoption program, staff is
recommending that they waive the license fee for the first year .
Several other jurisdictions follow this procedure, including the
County of San Diego. The County dog license fee is $l4- 0O-
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Page 1 , ILern8 ____
Meeting Date_1/13/87-
These recommended fees would reduce the current fee of $73, 50 as
follow :
Female dog under 40 pounds - $51 . 00
Female dog over 40 pounds - 61 ' 00
Male dog under 40 pounds - 41 . 00
Male dog over 40 pounds - 46. 00
The neuter/spay deposits vary depending upon the sex and weight of
the animal as a reflection of the actual fee schedules of clinics.
Staff is also recommending that senior citizens (60 years & older > be
allowed to adopt dogs for only the $8. C10 rabled shot and that the
spay/neuter costs be paid for by the City out of the unclaimed
spay/neuter deposit fund, as long as these Funds are available.
Finally, staff is recommending that the adoption fee for cats be
reduced from $51 . 50 to $25 for a male cat and $33 for a female cat.
Our current fee is $30 For the spay/neuter and $21 . 50 for adoption
for a total of $51 ' 50. This new fee includes a neuter for a male cat
of $12 and a spay deposit for a female cat of $20 and is based on the
lowest prices available at clinics in the South Bay- The recommended
new adoption fee for cats would be $13. 00 and the same as for dogs .
FINANCIAL IMPACT: The average annual revenue from adoptions will
decrease from $9, 000 to $5, 500.
WJW/m
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by e {�itVCouncil Cf
-'Chula Vista, California
Dated —
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