Title
Approve and authorize the Director of the Health Department or Assistant Director of the Health Department, on behalf of Monterey County, to submit a grant proposal to Friends of Community Animal Services (FoCAS) for grant funds not to exceed $5,000 for a County Feral Cat Spay/Neuter Program (“Community Cats”) for Monterey County Animal Services; to receive these funds in conformity with the program proposal; and, to execute any documents associated with the application and/or necessary to receive and utilize the grant funds.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
Approve and authorize the Director of the Health Department or Assistant Director of the Health Department, on behalf of Monterey County, to submit a grant proposal to Friends of Community Animal Services (FoCAS) for grant funds not to exceed $5,000 for a County Feral Cat Spay/Neuter Program (“Community Cats”) for Monterey County Animal Services; to receive these funds in conformity with the program proposal; and, to execute any documents associated with the application and/or necessary to receive and utilize the grant funds.
SUMMARY:
The Health Department’s Environmental Health Bureau/Animal Services is in need of a program to address the feral cat community in unincorporated Monterey County. The City of Salinas has such a program and has shown success in stopping the growth of their feral cat community. Addressing the feral cat community with a spay/neuter program will mitigate the spread of disease by maintaining populations at reasonable levels and will keep populations from exponential growth leading to undue suffering of cats due to lack of resources. This pilot program will be a six-month program to assess future actions in regard to the feral cat community.
DISCUSSION:
Feral cat communities are unadoptable groups of cats that survive in pockets by community members providing regular food and water for these feral groups at certain locations. While this practice is compassionate, it can also lead to unreasonable feral cat populations which can spread disease and cause suffering as, if there is no increase in food, the growing population is threatened with starvation and suffering due to the population/resource imbalance.
The goal is to allow stop the growth of these populations through the spay/neuter program, thereby reducing the spreading of disease through the cat population and the local human community. As County resources cannot address this need for this fiscal year, this grant will help accomplish this goal with minimal resources and no County funds.
This pilot program will be funded through grand funds by Friends of Community Animal Services (FoCAS), a local 501(c)(3) non-profit whose mission “is to adequately fund and support the protection, shelter, and care of lost and abandoned animals throughout Monterey County.”
Expenditures will be invoiced to FoCAS on monthly basis and will not exceed $1590.01 per month or a total of $5,000 for the program.
This work supports the Monterey County Health Department 2018-2022 Strategic Plan initiative: 2) Enhance community health and safety by emphasizing prevention. It also supports one of the ten essential public health services, specifically: 6) Enforce laws and regulations that protect health and ensure safety.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
The Office of County Counsel-Risk Management has reviewed this grant request. The Auditor-Controller’s Office has reviewed grant request. The grant is between Friends of Community Animal Services (FoCAS) and Monterey County Environmental Health /Animal Services.
FINANCING:
There is no impact to the General Fund resulting from this Board action; there are adequate funds available in Animal Services Board Approved Budget [1-4000-8442-HEA01] for this program to allow for reimbursement by the non-profit.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS STRATEGIC INITIATIVES:
Check the related Board of Supervisors Strategic Initiatives:
☐Economic Development:
• Through collaboration, strengthen economic development to ensure a diversified and healthy economy.
☐Administration:
• Promote an organization that practices efficient and effective resource management and is recognized for responsiveness, strong customer orientation, accountability and transparency.
☒Health & Human Services:
• Improve health and quality of life through County supported policies, programs, and services; promoting access to equitable opportunities for healthy choices and healthy environments in collaboration with communities.
☐Infrastructure:
• Plan and develop a sustainable, physical infrastructure that improves the quality of life for County residents and supports economic development results.
☒Public Safety:
• Create a safe environment for people to achieve their potential, leading businesses and communities to thrive and grow by reducing violent crimes as well as crimes in general.
Prepared by: Rob Durham, MA III, 8979
Approved by: Elsa Jimenez, Director of Health, 4526
Attachment:
Grant proposal on file with the Clerk of the Board