Agenda Item # 5
Columbus Consolidated Government
Council Meeting
01/28/2014
Agenda Report # 69
TO: Mayor and Council
SUBJECT: Pet Smart Charities Grant
INITIATED BY: Department of Public Works
Recommendation: Approval is requested to submit a grant application and any
subsequent extensions and if approved, accept funds from Best Friends Animal
Society, Pet Smart Charities, for the purpose of implementing a Trap, Neuter
and Release (TNR) program for all feral or free roaming cats in Muscogee County
and amend the local governmental fund by the grant amount. This grant requires
no local match.
Background: This is a Best Friends Animal Society and Pet Smart Charities
Grant that will provide the funding to continue a Trap, Neuter and Release
programs for all feral or free roaming cats.
Analysis: The Animal Care and Control Center has diligently implemented the
Save-A-Pet Program which includes a component to start a TNR Program, but
didn?t have the funding to do so. Accepting a grant of this nature will allow
this program to be started. Implementation of this program will have a drastic
effect the reduction of our euthanasia rate for cats.
Financial Considerations: The City is not required to provide matching funds
to participate in this grant.
Legal Considerations: The City Attorney has reviewed this grant request and
approved as to form.
Recommendations/Actions: Approve a resolution authorizing the Director of
Public Works to submit a grant application and any subsequent extensions and if
approved, accept funds from the Best Friends Animal Society, Pet Smart
Charities grant for the continuation and implementation and operation of a TNR
Program for Muscogee County.
A RESOLUTION
NO. ______
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS TO SUBMIT AN
APPLICATION FOR A GRANT TO FUND A TRAP, NEUTER AND RELEASE PROGRAM FOR CATS IN
MUSCOGEE COUNTY. THIS GRANT IS BEING ADMINISTERED AND PROVIDED, WITH NO LOCAL
MATCH REQUIREMENT, BY BEST FRIENDS ANIMAL SOCIETY.
WHEREAS, the implementation of a Trap/Neuter/Release activities program
which includes spay/neuter of healthy stray, feral and/or free-roaming cats
that enter the Animal Care and Control Center and returning them to their
original habitat; and proactively locating additional cats in and around the
return area and providing TNR services for these ?hot spots? areas. The
overall goals of this program is to significantly reduce the shelter?s
euthanasia rate; increase the shelter?s live release rate; reduce the
population of community cats who are at high-risk of entering the shelter; and
mitigate cat nuisance/cat calls for service; and,
WHEREAS, Best Friends Animal Society will award grant funds over a 36
month period. The specific amount of funding to the awarded organization will
be determined by a mix of interventions, number of community cats in your
target area, ability to decrease euthanasia rates, likelihood of success, and
level of resources your organization can contribute to the project; and,
WHEREAS, the department of Public Works does not require a local match.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE COUNCIL OF COLUMBUS, GEORGIA, HEREBY RESOLVES AS
FOLLOWS:
That the City Manager is hereby authorized to submit an application for
a grant and any extensions to fund the Animal Care and Control Centers Trap,
Neuter and Release program and if awarded accept the grant and any subsequent
extensions from Best Friends Animal Society, Pet Smart Charities Grant with no
local match requirement and amend the local governmental grant fund by the
award of the grant.
Introduced at a regular meeting of the Council of Columbus, Georgia,
held the ___________ day of ___________ 2014, and adopted at said meeting by
the affirmative vote of ______ members of said Council.
Councilor Allen voting __________.
Councilor Henderson voting __________.
Councilor Huff voting __________.
Councilor McDaniel voting __________.
Councilor Turner Pugh voting __________.
Councilor Woodson voting __________.
_____________________________
_________________________
Tiny B. Washington, Clerk of Council , Mayor
Attachments
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