Free Neutering Program May Get Cut

Animal advocates are crying foul over proposed budget cuts in Austin. Funding for free spay neuter program could be cut in half.

Emancipet is a non-profit that provides free pet sterlization services three days a week. Right now the city pays for two of those days. One proposal would eliminate one of those days to save $97,000.
But animal advocates say it will end up costing the city much more in the long run.

"We could very well see an explosion in intake and that could be set us back years," said Animal Advisory Vice Chair Larry Tucker.

Tucker says more unwanted pets will end up at the shelter and more of them will have to be euthanized. Emanicpet estimates the added costs could total more than $100,000.

"We're looking at the potential of an alternative funding source," said Health and Human Services Spokeswoman Carole Barasch.

Barasch says the city would rather use a donation fund to preserve both days of the free sterlization program, but no final decisions have been made.

Animal adocates say the city could save money by outsourcing services like offsite adoptions to local non-profits who can do the work cheaper than city staff.

City Manager Marc Ott will make final budget recommendations to the City Council July 22.