By Alex Lane - The Humane Society of Amador County, or A-PAL, went before the Board of Supervisors Tuesday to request funds to allow the low-income Spay/Neuter program to continue in Amador County. A-PAL was given 12,000 dollars to maintain a low cost 15 dollar program at the end of 2004, but less than 3000 was spent and the program was revised to be free of charge to qualifying applicants. In March 2007, A-Pal requested an additional 15,000 to continue the program. Those funds have been depleted to 735 dollars. “The disturbing thing is that our (shelter populations) are increasing rather than decreasing. However, that number would be much higher if this program weren’t in place,” said Susan Manning, A-PAL President. “I do think this is a good investment and the cost of animal control would increase without this program,” said County Administrative Officer Terri Daly. As an example, Manning noted the dramatic increase in shelter impounds of cats and kittens over the past year, which she attributed to unchecked population growth and a challenging economy. Between 1999 and 2007, over 4,747 cats have been saved through the “Save Our Kittens” program. The Supervisors were in agreement that the program required additional funds in order to continue. Supervisor Novelli, who acted as Chairman because Supervisor Forster was sick, recommended and approved postponing the item for further discussion in a future Board meeting.
Thursday, 30 October 2008 03:40
A-PAL Requests Funds From Board Of Supes
By Alex Lane - The Humane Society of Amador County, or A-PAL, went before the Board of Supervisors Tuesday to request funds to allow the low-income Spay/Neuter program to continue in Amador County. A-PAL was given 12,000 dollars to maintain a low cost 15 dollar program at the end of 2004, but less than 3000 was spent and the program was revised to be free of charge to qualifying applicants. In March 2007, A-Pal requested an additional 15,000 to continue the program. Those funds have been depleted to 735 dollars. “The disturbing thing is that our (shelter populations) are increasing rather than decreasing. However, that number would be much higher if this program weren’t in place,” said Susan Manning, A-PAL President. “I do think this is a good investment and the cost of animal control would increase without this program,” said County Administrative Officer Terri Daly. As an example, Manning noted the dramatic increase in shelter impounds of cats and kittens over the past year, which she attributed to unchecked population growth and a challenging economy. Between 1999 and 2007, over 4,747 cats have been saved through the “Save Our Kittens” program. The Supervisors were in agreement that the program required additional funds in order to continue. Supervisor Novelli, who acted as Chairman because Supervisor Forster was sick, recommended and approved postponing the item for further discussion in a future Board meeting.
