Title
Strategic Planning for Community Spay and Neuter Clinics
End
FileID
File ID: 2026-01453
End
Location
Location: Citywide
End
Recommendation
Recommendation: Review and comment.
End
Contact
Contact: Ryan Hinderman, Communications and Customer Service Manager, (916) 808-7911, rhinderman@cityofsacramento.org, Community Development Department
End
Presenter
Presenter: Ryan Hinderman, Communications and Customer Service Manager, (916) 808-7911, rhinderman@cityofsacramento.org, Community Development Department
End
Attachments
Attachments:
1-Description/Analysis
2-PowerPoint Overview of $500,000 Spay and Neuter Funding
3-Animal Intake Heat Map
End
Description/Analysis
IssueDetail
Issue Detail: During the preparation of the FY 26/27 budget, the Community Development Department made a budget augmentation request for $500,000 from the City’s General Fund for the Animal Care Services Division to partner with the nonprofit organization Animal Balance to conduct 10 high-volume spay and neuter clinics for community-owned pets. Each clinic is anticipated to perform approximately 200 surgeries for a total of approximately 2,000 surgeries. This request was made to help meet the need for spay and neuter services for underserved community members not able to afford this vital surgery with the goal of reducing unplanned litters and thereby decreasing the number of animals being brought to the Front Street Animal Shelter. On June 9, 2026, City Council adopted the FY 26/27 budget which included $500,000 to hold 10 clinics with Animal Balance.
This item was added to the Animal Wellbeing Commission’s (Commission) Follow-Up Log on June 10th, 2026. Recognizing that spay and neuter is a priority for the Commission, staff are bringing this item for discussion to gather input from the Commission. Specific questions for the Commission include:
• Which areas of the City have the greatest need for spay and neuter of community-owned pets (see attached map of stray animals and areas designated as disadvantaged communities by the State)?
• Which facilities would have the capacity and meet the criteria required to hold these high-volume spay and neuter clinics?
• Do you have thoughts on which pet owners (e.g. lower-income, transportation barriers, etc.) and breeds to prioritize?
As next steps, the Animal Care Services Division will review the input from the Animal Wellbeing Commission, develop a schedule, enter into a Memorandum of Understanding with Animal Balance that conducts the 10 clinics within FY 26/27 (July 1, 2026 - June 30, 2027) and being working with Council offices and the community to plan and advertise the clinics.
Based on initial conversation with Animal Balance, it is anticipated that the first clinic will be held in December 2026.
End
PolicyConsiderations
Policy Considerations: None.
End
EconomicImpacts
Economic Impacts: None.
End
EnvironmentalConsiderations
Environmental Considerations:
Review and comment on Strategic Planning for Community Spay and Neuter Clinics is exempt from review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) as it consists of an organizational activity that will not result in direct or indirect physical changes in the environment (CEQA Guidelines Section 15378(b)(5). Any actions that could result in a physical change in the environment would be identified as projects and would be subject to CEQA review. This report simply provides an opportunity for review and comment on how to effectively expend the funding for community spay and neuter.
End
Sustainability
Sustainability: Not Applicable.
End
Commission/Committee Action
Commission/Committee Action: Not applicable.
End
RationaleforRecommendation
Rationale for Recommendation: This funding will provide substantial benefit to the community and has the potential to prevent future intakes at the Animal Care Services Division by reducing roaming behaviors and preventing litters of puppies and kittens. A discussion of strategies for implementing these clinics can help maximize the benefits produced by this funding.
End
FinancialConsiderations
Financial Considerations: On June 9, 2026, City Council adopted the FY 26/27 budget which included $500,000 to hold 10 high-volume spay and neuter clinics with Animal Balance. This review and comment staff report on Strategic Planning for Community Spay and Neuter Clinics has no financial impact for the City of Sacramento.
End
LocalBusinessEnterprise
Local Business Enterprise (LBE): Not applicable.
End