Animal Services Receives Gift of $90K in Flea Meds

LOCAL GOVERNMENT

In San Angelo: Animal Services received some needed relief this week: city council discussed and passed along two measures on Tuesday that will help the shelter.

First, a donation of flea and tick prevention medication valued at $90,000 dollars; and an increase to the Animal Services budget to meet higher-than-expected operational needs, approving an extra $60,883 for animal medical expenses.

Council members approved a resolution allowing the Animal Services Division to accept a $90,000 donation of NexGard flea and tick prevention from the organization People Assisting Animal Control (PAAC).

The council was told for context the donation provides approximately 1,500 feline doses and 1,500 canine doses, representing a six-month supply of medication for animals housed at the shelter. Current retail pricing would place these doses at approximately $25 each, or $37,500 total, while the canine doses are valued at approximately $35 each, or $52,500 total.

City of San Angelo Neighborhood and Family Services Director Angela Bloss told council members the donation was made in response to concerns surrounding the New World screwworm.

Animal Services Manager Amanda Weddle said that the medication will support recommendations from the state veterinarian, adding “The in-pound numbers are approximately at 3,000, so it will cover all of those. Now, of course, weight, species… it’s not going to level out exactly.”

She said the emergence of the New World screwworm has also affected shelter operations.

“When we talked to the state veterinarian with the current New World Screwworm, it did put a damper in our SNR [Spay and Neuter] program and as far as releasing adopted animals that were fixed and they recommended that treatment. This organization reached out to us from the grant application and offered to assist us with this,” she said.

The council also approved the first reading of a budget amendment increasing Animal Services revenue and expenditures by $60,883 after adoption revenue exceeded budget projections.

Finance Director Jonathan Flores said the additional funding will primarily be used to cover medical expenses for animals housed at the shelter through the remainder of the fiscal year.