Title
Discussion of Shelter Redemption Procedure and Ways to Incentivize Spay and Neuter for Owners Reclaiming Pets
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FileID
File ID: 2026-00730
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Location
Location: Citywide
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Recommendation
Recommendation: 1) Review and comment; and 2) Pass a Motion to send a recommendation to the Personnel and Public Employees Committee regarding redemption of animals by their owners including incentivization of spay and neuter on first impound.
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Contact
Contact: Ryan Hinderman, Interim Animal Care Services Manager, (916) 808-7911, rhinderman@cityofsacramento.org, Community Development Department
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Presenter
Presenter: Ryan Hinderman, Interim Animal Care Services Manager, (916) 808-7911, rhinderman@cityofsacramento.org, Community Development Department
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Attachments
Attachments:
1-Description/Analysis
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Description/Analysis
IssueDetail
Issue Detail: On January 21st, 2026, the Animal Wellbeing Commission added to the follow-up log, a request to discuss the shelter’s current procedure related to the redemption of animals by their owners, including the spay and neuter requirement for animals with two or more at-large impounds, and ways to incentivize voluntary spay and neuter on first impound.
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PolicyConsiderations
Policy Considerations: Not applicable.
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EconomicImpacts
Economic Impacts: None.
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EnvironmentalConsiderations
Environmental Considerations: None.
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Sustainability
Sustainability: None.
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Commission/Committee Action
Commission/Committee Action: Not applicable.
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RationaleforRecommendation
Rationale for Recommendation: Spay and neuter are particularly important for animals with multiple instances of being found at large. Being unaltered can be a contributing factor in roaming behaviors and increases the chances the animal could breed if it encounters another unaltered dog. According to Sacramento City Code 9.44.190, an animal that has been previously redeemed after being impounded for being at large shall be spayed or neutered prior to a subsequent redemption. While this does not allow mandatory spay or neuter on first impound, there are ways it could be incentivized. This discussion will focus on potential procedures and incentives for spay and neuter of impounded animals, as well as how to maximize the number of animals reclaimed by owners.
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FinancialConsiderations
Financial Considerations: Not applicable.
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LocalBusinessEnterprise
Local Business Enterprise (LBE): Not applicable.
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