Fernley will begin a low-cost spay and neuter voucher lottery aimed at reducing accidental litters and easing chronic overcrowding at the Lyon County Animal Shelter.
Animal Services Program Manager RanDee Gahr told the council that, like other jurisdictions around the country, the city is seeing too many animals and too few homes. She said expanding access to affordable spay and neuter services is one of the most effective ways to reduce shelter intake.
The program will start small to avoid overwhelming local veterinarians. Gahr presented a proposal for the city to accept 20 applications each month and select five through a lottery.
Owners will pay a co-pay of $50 for a cat neuter, $75 for a cat spay, $75 for a dog neuter and $100 for a dog spay. Approved vouchers must be used within 60 days.
Animals will receive a mandatory rabies vaccine at the owner’s cost and a free microchip through the program.
Gahr said the city will also donate up to 10 vouchers a year for seniors or residents who are truly indigent and cannot afford the co-pay. Those donated vouchers may also be used in court diversion cases involving owners with multiple chronic escape incidents, particularly when unaltered dogs are contributing to unwanted litters.
The goal, she said, is to reduce accidental and unwanted litters, increase licensing compliance, expand microchipping and lessen the burden on the shelter, which remains overwhelmed with unwanted dogs.
Gahr also reported on the city’s microchip and pet pantry programs launched in May 2024. In just over a year, she said the city has microchipped 129 pets, fed 180 animals through the pantry and distributed 2,400 pounds of food.
The city will partner with Moffit Animal Clinic and Animal Care Center for the procedures. Gahr said staff are exploring grant opportunities with help from new Grants Coordinator Trisha Livingston, but she said Fernley has historically not met criteria for national spay and neuter grants because it does not operate its own shelter.
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