Middletown Board of Estimate approves MOU with Montgomery Veterinarian Hospital to cap emergency care costs for seized animals
May 02, 2026 | Middletown, Orange County, New York
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On April 30, 2026, the Middletown Board of Estimate approved a resolution authorizing a memorandum of understanding with Montgomery Veterinarian Hospital to provide limited emergency veterinary services for animals seized by the city in cruelty, neglect or related enforcement cases.
The MOU, supporters said, seeks to set a clear, capped price for after‑hours emergency care for animals taken into custody so the city is not hit with unexpectedly large veterinary bills. Chief said the agreement is "specific to animals that we take into custody that are in need of emergency medical care, veterinarian care" and emphasized the city’s interest in limiting costs while ensuring animals receive necessary care.
Why it matters: board members framed the agreement as both a fiscal protection for city funds and a way to ensure injured or neglected animals receive prompt treatment. Animal control officer Marcus, who led negotiations, told the board he has spoken with Montgomery and is looking for additional providers so the city has options beyond a single small practice.
The agreement was not without concern. A member of the public, identified in the transcript as Mr. Johnson, cautioned that most private veterinary practices refer true emergencies to specialized clinics and that a small, "mom and pop" practice may not reliably provide 24/7 emergency services. "When you go to the emergency clinics, you know, $500 to walk in the door," Mr. Johnson said, describing high out‑of‑pocket emergency costs for pet owners and the reality that many practices refer after‑hours cases.
Council members and staff said the MOU sets a capped fee for services the city will pay when animals are taken into custody; if a provider fails to meet the terms, the city can stop using that vendor and continue to seek other options. One board member said the city will "start with one" provider and expand the roster if needed.
The board voted to approve the resolution after discussion. The motion to take the item off the table was made and the board proceeded to a vote; the transcript records the vote as taken and indicates the motion carried (tally not specified in the transcript). The board directed staff to continue outreach to additional veterinary providers and to monitor cases and costs under the MOU.
What remains unresolved: the MOU’s contract length, precise fee schedule and whether the provider will accept all after‑hours emergencies were discussed but not finalized on the record; staff said Marcus is continuing negotiations and the city is not irrevocably committed to a single provider.
The board moved on to other business and adjourned.
The MOU, supporters said, seeks to set a clear, capped price for after‑hours emergency care for animals taken into custody so the city is not hit with unexpectedly large veterinary bills. Chief said the agreement is "specific to animals that we take into custody that are in need of emergency medical care, veterinarian care" and emphasized the city’s interest in limiting costs while ensuring animals receive necessary care.
Why it matters: board members framed the agreement as both a fiscal protection for city funds and a way to ensure injured or neglected animals receive prompt treatment. Animal control officer Marcus, who led negotiations, told the board he has spoken with Montgomery and is looking for additional providers so the city has options beyond a single small practice.
The agreement was not without concern. A member of the public, identified in the transcript as Mr. Johnson, cautioned that most private veterinary practices refer true emergencies to specialized clinics and that a small, "mom and pop" practice may not reliably provide 24/7 emergency services. "When you go to the emergency clinics, you know, $500 to walk in the door," Mr. Johnson said, describing high out‑of‑pocket emergency costs for pet owners and the reality that many practices refer after‑hours cases.
Council members and staff said the MOU sets a capped fee for services the city will pay when animals are taken into custody; if a provider fails to meet the terms, the city can stop using that vendor and continue to seek other options. One board member said the city will "start with one" provider and expand the roster if needed.
The board voted to approve the resolution after discussion. The motion to take the item off the table was made and the board proceeded to a vote; the transcript records the vote as taken and indicates the motion carried (tally not specified in the transcript). The board directed staff to continue outreach to additional veterinary providers and to monitor cases and costs under the MOU.
What remains unresolved: the MOU’s contract length, precise fee schedule and whether the provider will accept all after‑hours emergencies were discussed but not finalized on the record; staff said Marcus is continuing negotiations and the city is not irrevocably committed to a single provider.
The board moved on to other business and adjourned.
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