DATE: October 15, 2024
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: Chief of Police
SUBJECT: Adopt a Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to Accept and Appropriate $100,000 in California for All Animals Grant Funding Awarded by the University of California, Davis Koret Shelter Medicine Program For Use by the Hayward Police Department’s Animal Services Bureau
RECOMMENDATION
That the Council adopts a resolution (Attachment II) authorizing the City Manager to accept and appropriate an $100,000 in California for All Animals grant funding awarded by the University of California, Davis (UC Davis) Koret Shelter Medicine Program for use by the Hayward Police Department’s Animal Services Bureau.
SUMMARY
In 2022, The Hayward Police Department’s Animal Services Bureau (“HASB”) applied for and was awarded $55,000 in grant funding from the UC Davis Koret Shelter Medicine Program as part of their California for All Animals Spring 2022 Grant. The funds provided free spay and neuter services to 456 community cats through the HASB’s Trap, Neuter, and Return (TNR) program. Recently, the HASB applied for, and was awarded, additional grant funding in the amount of $100,000.
Through TNR, community cats are humanely trapped, spayed or neutered, vaccinated, microchipped, ear tipped and then returned to their outdoor homes. Community cats are cats that live in the community and may or may not have an identified caregiver. Community cats can be feral (unsocialized) or friendly domesticated. Feral community cats are not able to be handled and are euthanized when turned into the shelter. With the increased grant funding, free TNR services will now be available to all Hayward residents interested in participating in the TNR of community cats in their neighborhoods. The additional grant funds combined with donations received in FY 24 specific to spay and neuter programs will provide services to upwards of 980 community cats. TNR of feral community cats keeps them out of the shelter where they would be euthanized and immediately stops their ability to reproduce, stabilizing cat colonies and reducing populations over time.
BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION
In 2022, the HASB applied for and was awarded $55,000 in grant funding from the UC Davis Koret Shelter Medicine Program as part of their California for All Animals Spring 2022 Grant. Acceptance of the grant was approved by Council in September 2022. The availability of grant-funded TNR services led to a strong response and high levels of participation from Hayward residents. The grant was specifically targeted at project neighborhoods and low-income community cat caregivers, and due to the high volume of applications received, we had to cease accepting new submissions. As a result of the grant, 456 cats were spayed or neutered and provided other services for free and returned to their outdoor homes.
HASB had the opportunity to apply for grant renewal and was awarded an additional $100,000 in grant funding. With the increased funding, we will be able to offer free TNR services for community cats to all Hayward residents until funds are exhausted. Additional donation funds received in FY 24 specifically for spay and neuter programs will be utilized to subsidize the free TNR opportunity with the goal of providing services to upwards of 980 cats in a year.
The overpopulation of cats is not unique to Hayward. Trap, Neuter, Return (TNR) has been found to be the most humane and effective approach for handling of community cat populations. Scientific studies show that TNR stops the cycle of new litters of kittens and stabilizes the population of community cats, reducing the population overtime. Community cats are cats that live in the community and may or may not have an identified caregiver. Community cats can be feral (unsocialized) or friendly domesticated. Feral community cats are not able to be handled and are euthanized when turned into the shelter.
FISCAL IMPACT
Acceptance of the California for All Animals grant will not have a measurable impact on the General Fund.
STRATEGIC ROADMAP
The California for All Animals supports the Enhance Community Safety & Quality of Life priority outlined in the Council’s Strategic Roadmap although it does not fit into a specific project.
NEXT STEPS
If council adopts the attached resolution, staff will appropriate the funding into the Police Department’s budget and administer the grant per the terms and conditions of the University of California and Koret Shelter Medicine Program’s California for All Animals grant agreement.
Prepared by: Jennie Comstock, Animal Services Administrator Recommended by: Bryan Matthews, Chief of Police
Approved by:
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Dustin Claussen, Interim City Manager