| Item Title: | County Administration - Enforcement of Dog and Cat Sterilizations | | Submitted By: | Daniel Collins, County Administration (915) 588-0360 Lauralei Combs, Animal Welfare (915) 538-2116 | | Subject: | Approve and authorize the County Judge to sign a letter to Governor Greg Abbott requesting that enforcement of Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 828, regarding dog and cat sterilization, be suspended pursuant to Chapter 418.016 of the Government Code for the duration of the COVID-19 declared disaster. | | Background: | As described in the letter, attached, Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 828 requires that animal shelters, before they release a dog or cat, either sterilize the animal or make the new owners agree to sterilize within 30 days. Unfortunately, compliance with Chapter 828 is impossible because veterinary hospitals, including those El Paso County contracts with, have stopped elective surgeries, leaving shelters without sterilization services. City of El Paso Mayor Margo sent a similar request on May 12, also attached. | | Fiscal Impact: | N/A | | Recommendation: | Approve and authorize the County Judge to sign a letter to Governor Greg Abbott requesting that enforcement of Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 828, regarding dog and cat sterilization, be suspended pursuant to Chapter 418.016 of the Government Code for the duration of the COVID-19 declared disaster. | | Prior Action: | N/A | | Strategic Plan: | .. | | Strategic Plan Information: | |
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