​“We are grateful the Los Angeles City Council increased the Free spay and neuter voucher reimbursement rate, from $70 to $120 for cats and $125 to $195 for dogs, which will help families access these critical surgeries. However, while the reimbursement rate increased, the total program funding remained flat, limiting the number of vouchers available per year. 

 

“This is a partial win for pets, their families, and the animal welfare community. However, without fully funding Free and Discount spay and neuter vouchers along with the Citywide Cat Program, Los Angeles cannot effectively address the shelter overcrowding and euthanasia crises – driven by thousands of unsterilized dogs and cats due to spay and neuter surgeries costing between $600-$1000, an expense beyond reach for thousands of families. 

 

“We recognize the city’s budget constraints, but we will continue to advocate for these programs which will not only lead to systemic change and meaningful impact, but are also fiscally responsible investments. Finally, CAMP would like to thank Councilmembers Hernandez, Blumenfield, and Jurado for their advocacy and prioritization of this program.”

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Zoey Knittel

Executive Director

Community Animal Medicine Project