Hillsborough County Spay/Neuter Voucher Program in Jeopardy

The Animal Coalition of Tampa, or (ACT),  is a decade old nonprofit organization whose focus is to end the killing of healthy, adoptable cats and dogs as a means to control the pet population in Hillsborough County. 

But an email sent from county officials last month may put ACT's mission in jeopardy.

On May 23, Hillsborough County Animal Services notified ACT executives via email that the countywide spay/neuter voucher program (SNVP) had been temporarily discontinued.  Although vouchers already issued would be honored, no new ones would be accepted this fiscal year.

“The email went on to say that there will be no new approvals until further notice.  Due to significant budgetary issues faced by county government this [7,500 surgeries per year] may or may not be an attainable goal for the immediate future,” said Jennifer Anderson, program director.

Now, ACT board members and clinic executives plan to attend the county commissioners workshop this afternoon to support the Animal Services proposed budget in an attempt to fund the reinstatement of the voucher program. 

At the county commissioners request, ACT recruited an “outside expert” to assess the situation for the continuation of the program. 

According to a seven-page evaluation compiled by attorney Peter Marsh of Concord, New Hampshire: “to help further reduce the number of animals impounded by Hillsborough County Animal Services, it will be necessary for about 9,000 owned cats and dogs living in Hillsborough County households to be sterilized through the SNVP each year.”

ACT is primarily funded through public donations, events, grants and the low fees they charge for their products (including flea prevention and heartworm prevention at up to 60 percent off national brand prices) and services.

According to their website, ACT – which is the only clinic of its kind in the county – was established to give residents an affordable way to carry this process out by “providing high volume, high quality, low cost procedures and other services that keep animals in their home and out of our county’s shelter.”

The voucher program was established on June 19, 2002 to assist low income families and individuals get their pets fixed.  Hillsborough County residents who qualify (meet income requirements) complete an application and submit a $10 application fee. 

If eligible, they receive a voucher that can be redeemed at a participating veterinary clinic, at no additional cost to the client.  The county then reimburses the clinics at a set rate for each procedure. 

Since the ACT Clinic opened its doors in Hyde Park in 2006, founder Linda Hamilton and her team lowered the county’s euthanasia rate by 50 percent.

Due to the organization’s low fees, they have grown from 5,000 spays and neuters a year (in 2006) to 12,000 (in 2010). 

“The majority of our clients would not have been able to spay or neuter their pets without this financial assistance," said Anderson. "ACT means that there is hope for these people and their animals.  We are here when there is nowhere else to turn.  After all, it’s about the animals, not the money."

Check Patch on Friday for an update on this story.

Want to get involved?

In addition to monetary donations, ACT is requesting the community’s support in getting word to the county commissioners that terminating the program is unacceptable, and will only result in the loss of more lives.

• Click here to send a pre-written email to Hillsborough County Commissioners
• Send an email of your own through their website
• Determine what district you are in and who your commissioner is.  Call (813) 272-5660 and ask to speak with them. 

Visit the ACT website, follow their blog, or call them at (813)250-3900 for more information.