A resolution was recently introduced to fund spay/neuter procedures for the animals of low-income residents in Sullivan County in the amount of $10,000, with a plan to seek donations and partnerships with local vets to continue the fund in perpetuity. At the last minute, without consulting animal welfare experts, and without the opportunity for public comment, the resolution was completely rewritten and passed to lower the adoption fees for our shelter, as a one-time fund. 

We need to get to the root of the problem by eliminating unwanted litters, not treat the symptoms of animal overpopulation by focusing just on adopting animals out of the shelter. Spaying and neutering pets is one of the best ways to prevent unwanted litters, so the resolution as initially written should have been passed. 

Commissioner Pat Shull stated that if a person couldn’t afford to fix his or her pet, then he or she shouldn’t own a pet, so he wouldn’t support a fund to help low-income pet owners. This is an elitist statement that disregards the many animal owners who are low-income, disabled, or homeless, but still make excellent pet owners. Low-income residents of our county should still be able to enjoy the companionship and health benefits of pet ownership. 

This petition is to request a rewrite of the resolution to reinstate the spay/neuter fund as originally written - to benefit low-income residents of Sullivan County who want to spay or neuter their pets but can’t afford to. This is an action for the Sullivan County Commission.