Nonprofit organization initiates
volunteer-run city s/n fund
San Jose, California

Introduction

The Spay/NeuterTrust Fund

SPCA Petitions County

The Ballot Initiative

Coalition of Organizations Petitions County

Nonprofit organization initiates volunteer-run city s/n fund
In 1991, the county of Santa Clara was putting to death 30,000 animals a year, over 22,000 of whom were cats. There was no plan to reduce the number of animals being born, only more efficient ways of killing the unwanted animals.

Ellen Dimond and Judy Jones organized The Coalition for Humane Legislation to reduce dog/cat overpopulation. San Jose was the target area; San Jose City Councilman Jim Beall agreed to be the political sponsor.

Public awareness was raised through outreach at community events, and a mailing list was developed. Some seed funding was raised through sale of tee shirts, comedy night parties, an art exhibit, and an elegant garden party. A postcard campaign urged the mayor and city council to adopt an ordinance requiring cat owners to obtain a permit for their dogs/cats who produced litters (purposely bred or not). Cat breeders and feral cat colony caretakers were strongly opposed.

The City council did not approve a breeding ordinance; however, following a proposal by Councilman Jim Beall, they adopted a free s/n program available to all residents of the City of San Jose. The program included feral cats. Not only does the voucher program pay for the s/n, but it pays for cats who are pregnant, in heat, cryptorchidism and other maladies that need to be taken care of at the time of surgery.

The application process is simple - people request vouchers in person or by mail. Volunteers run the program so the city does not have to hire anyone. Simple proof of residency is required, and there is no limit on the number of cat vouchers a resident can obtain (although they can only get eight at a time).

Since the beginning of this program, some changes have been made:
  • Dog vouchers have been eliminated
  • An application form must be filled out
  • There is a $5.00 co-payment per cat
  • “owned cats “ must have a license

At this time, 15 veterinarians participate in the program, five of whom do early spay/neuter. San Jose contributed $65,000 from its general fund to the program for fiscal year 1998/99.

Readers, keep in mind… In 1974, the National League of Cities annual Congress of Cities adopted the following national Municipal Policy on Pet Control:

Dog and cat overpopulation in urban areas is now recognized as a threat to health as well as an assault on urban aesthetics, a pollutant, and a safety hazard. It also represents a major city expenditure. Citizens and governments must be made aware of the seriousness of the problem.

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Articles:
Writing A Grant Do's and Dont's
Successful Grant Applications (a PDF of a PowerPoint presentation)

Granting Foundations:
DJ & T Foundation
PETCO Foundation
PETsMART Charities Foundation

Fundraising Initiatives:
Putting the Fun Back in Fundraising
Finding Funding to Fix Feral Felines
iGive.com

Government Grants or Appropriations:
Block Grants

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