$22,000 from Amendment 5, Town Contract TT-19-126: Spay and Neuter Funding

Re: Town Contract TT-19-126

At the Taos Town Council meeting held on August 8, 2023, there was a discussion regarding $22,000 in funding that was appropriated by the Town and given to Stray Hearts Animal Shelter in late 2022 for the express use of Spay & Neuter.

Much of that discussion on 8/8 focused around the suggestion that Stray Hearts “misused” the appropriated $22,000 in funds for spay and neuter of animals AT THE SHELTER - rather than for spay and neuter outreach and services PROVIDED TO THE COMMUNITY. 

Please see Amendment 5 to Contract TT-19-126, concerning that $22,000 expenditure (also below).

The suggestion at the Town Council meeting on August 8 was that the $22,000 in funding was intended for spay and neuter mobile clinics and other, potentially owned-animal spay and neuter programs, instead of spay and neutering animals at the shelter (many of which would end up in Taos homes nonetheless, through foster or adoption).

Please NOTE: Amendment 5 states exactly: “funds to be utilized only for spay/neuter services” and does not specify in what regard those spay/neuter services be executed. 

Agreement 5 is woefully vague. I would also underscore that the animals of Stray Hearts (who received those spay/neuter services) were in part intakes from the Town and County - therefore a direct community service.

Jason Knowles
Director of Development
Stray Hearts Animal Shelter

If you have questions or comments about this statement: jason@strayhearts.org