Subject: Request to Restore and Fund Public Spay-Neuter/TNR Access in San Jose

Dear [[Recipient’s Title and Name]]:

As  a San José resident, taxpayer, and deeply concerned constituent, I am  writing to urge immediate action to restore public access to affordable  spay/neuter services in our city. The current lack of investment in this  critical public health service is not only unacceptable–it is directly  fueling a worsening crisis of animal overpopulation, public health  risks, and strain on our already overburdened shelter system.

According  to your own budget records, San José spent only $2,400 on public  spay/neuter services in the last fiscal year–a city of over 1 million  residents. This figure is staggering in light of the city’s $5 billion  annual budget, and stands in sharp contrast to pre-COVID operations,  when the city collaborated with local clinics and operated a robust  network of low-cost sterilization services for owned, stray, and feral  animals.

The entire public-facing spay/neuter system in San José  was dismantled during the pandemic–the in-house clinic shut down,  partnerships with local veterinarians were terminated, and  county-assisted voucher programs were allowed to lapse. The result is a  dramatic and visible increase in the homeless animal population, with  San José Animal Care Services now turning away many animals, citing lack  of space and capacity. Yet we continue to see no plan or clear funding  commitment to reverse this dangerous trend.

Even with the recent  passage of Resolution No. RES2024-230, which defines low-cost fees for  public spay/neuter, the city has not announced any investment, capacity  targets, or implementation strategy. Nor has it responded to analyses  submitted by local advocates outlining the investment levels needed to  meet community demand.

Meanwhile, shelters across California  reported 450,000 intakes in 2024, with euthanasia at a three-year high.  San José cannot continue to treat animal services as a footnote in the  budget. This is not just about pets–it is a matter of community health,  equity, and responsible governance.

I respectfully call on the City Council to:

– Immediately reinstate and fund public spay-neuter/TNR assistance, at minimum to pre-COVID levels.
– Rebuild partnerships with local veterinary clinics, providing financial support through vouchers or collaborative funding.
–  Work jointly with Santa Clara County officials to establish a reliable,  well-funded network of spay-neuter/TNR providers, ensuring regional  coordination and consistent access.
– Establish a transparent application system for residents to access assistance and services.
– Commit to regular public reporting on funding, progress, and service capacity.
– Pursue state-level funding assistance and explore partnerships to scale operations to the needs of our diverse community.

San  José has both the resources and the responsibility to lead on this  issue. Animals are not a luxury–they are part of our neighborhoods, our  families, and our public health ecosystem.
It’s time their welfare was treated as a priority, not an afterthought.

Sincerely,

[ Your Full Name ]