Council authorizes application for state spay-and-neuter pilot grant to reduce feral population

The Borger City Council authorized staff to submit an application for a Department of State Health Services spay/neuter pilot program and to allow the city manager to execute necessary documents.

Mister Milam, representing animal services, explained the pilot program is funded through state allocations (approximately $13 million over two years for the statewide pilot) and that the city would likely apply in a mid-tier amount (the transcript cited $50,000 as the tier-1 amount and indicated the city might seek a $50,000–$75,000 award). He said the grant is reimbursement-based and would require the city to pay costs up front and seek reimbursement from the state.

Milam described operational details: he had contacted regional veterinarians and cited a vendor estimate of $60 for the spay/neuter procedure plus $10 for a required rabies vaccine, for a total per-animal cost around $70 if animals are transported to an outside clinic. He said the local vet quoted a higher per-animal price (over $200), so transporting to available regional providers would maximize grant funds.

Milam and staff said the grant focuses on feral animals in the shelter’s custody and cannot be used to subsidize personal pet spay/neuter costs. He noted roughly 70% of feral cats brought into the shelter are currently euthanized and argued the grant would help reduce that euthanasia rate by enabling a trap-neuter-release program and related operations.

Council approved the resolution to submit the application; staff will continue clarifying program terms with the state and prepare necessary administrative processes if selected.