Item No. 17.
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER
BY: JUDDY MONTENEGRO, INTERIM ASSISTANT TO THE CITY MANAGER DATE: JANUARY 27, 2026
SUBJECT: DISCUSSION REGARDING A CAT SPAY AND NEUTER REBATE PROGRAM
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The City Council will receive an update from staff regarding SEAACA's Cat Spay and Neuter Programs, as well as SEAACA's current financial position to continue expanding such programs. Cat spay and neuter programs provide affordable or free sterilization surgeries (spaying for females, neutering for males) to control pet overpopulation, reduce shelter intake, improve cat health, and decrease nuisance behaviors
RECOMMENDATION
That the City Council:
Receive an update regarding SEAACA's Cat Spay and Neuter Programs and consider staffs recommendation to have SEAACA continue and expand its Cat spay and neuter programs based on recent information gathered from SEAACA.
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At the Fiscal Year 2025-26 City Budget Workshop held on June 3, 2025, Council Member Pemberton requested that staff look into the creation of a Cat Spay and Neuter Rebate program to assist residents with veterinary costs associated with these procedures.
On September 9, 2025, during a regularly scheduled City Council meeting, staff presented its findings based on information gathered from similar programs offered by surrounding cities, and asked for the Council's direction on the creation of a City cat spay and neuter program, which included a one-time appropriation of up to $20,000 from the General Fund -Fund Balance. Following staffs presentation, the City Council took no action on the item and requested that staff evaluate the programs SEAACA is currently offering to the public.
ANALYSIS
Per the Council's direction, staff contacted SEAACA, and it shared that it has multiple spay and neuter services programs underway. Those programs with data from SEAACA are provided below. Staff is still waiting to receive data on two of the mentioned programs.
1. No Cost Spay/Neuter Clinic (Partner: Michelson Found Animals) - September 20, 21, and 22, 2025
• Downey Data:
o Dog Spay: 10
o Dog Neuter: 6
o Cat Spay: 15
o Cat Neuter: 9
Total: 40 (18% of total surgeries)
2. Low Cost Spay/Neuter Services (Partner: Good Mobile) - October 9 and October 30, 2025 • Data Pending
3. No Cost Spy/Neuter Clinic (Partner: Michelson Found Animals) - December 6, 7, and 8, 2025 • Data Pending
4. Big Meow and Big Wolf Programs - Relaunched December 2025 SEAACA relaunched their Big Meow and Big Woof programs in December 2025. These are low-cost spay and neuter programs that were previously suspended. The program aims to reduce pet overpopulation by providing affordable sterilization, vaccines, and microchipping for owned, community, or rescued cats. The program is available to residents within SEAACA's service area, which includes Downey. Staff will be requesting data for these programs to determine how many Downey residents have applied.
It is our understanding that while the Big Meow and Big Wolf Programs are now operating, SEAACA plans to continue securing partnerships for No Cost Spay and Neuter Programs.
In addition to SEAACA, the City shares information on other related services offered to the community by other local agencies via its social media platforms. For example, the City recently re -posted an upcoming event, "Vet @ The Park," promoted by Supervisor Janice Hahn, which offered free services such as vaccines, microchips and pet food. While this is not Cat Spay and Neuter Program, these types of services are also included in Cat Spay and Neuter Programs.
It should be noted that staff has not received any phone calls, emails, or Downey Connect requests regarding this topic.
SEAACA Funding
In 1976, the City of Downey entered into a joint powers agreement, creating SEAACA with other partner agencies, for the purpose of providing animal control services. SEAACA provides animal control services for fourteen (14) cities in the southeast Los Angeles County and northwest Orange County. As part of this agreement, the City provides annual funding to SEAACA for these services. Below is a table indicating the amount of funding SEAACA has received from the City over the last few years:
Budget FY 2021-22
Budget FY 2022-23
Budget FY 2023-24
Budget FY 2024-25
Budget FY 2025-26
$631,000
$667,000
$896,000
$950,000
$1.1 million
It is important to note that SEAACA's fund balance as of June 30, 2025 was approximately $11 million, putting their reserves at over 100%. It is estimated their fund balance will be close to $15 million as of December 31, 2025. To put this into perspective, the City's reserve balance policy is at 35% and the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) states that a minimum balance should be two (2) months of an agency's operations; this amounts to approximately 17%.
Based on the information provided in this report, staff believes that a prudent route for creating a Cat Spay and Neuter Program would be to request that SEAACA make these types of programs an ongoing priority by allocating monies every budget from its own funds. City funds could be used to offset these services, but the City does provide a significant financial contribution annually to SEAACA, and a large portion of the existing SEAACA fund balance is from City provided revenues. Therefore, Staff believes that initially SEAACA could fund these programs from its own resources, before the City would need to provide additional funds. SEAACA has available funds and these types of programs fall under its purview.
If the City Council agrees with the recommended approach, City staff can work with the new Executive Director of SEAACA to ensure this service is a priority and that there is ongoing funding for these programs.
CITY COUNCIL PRIORITIES
Fiscal Responsibility
Efficiency & Adaptability
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact.