01/25/1984 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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e e e paying any type of tax. He suggested that this issue be addressed to Springfield and Lane County. The other members of the council indicated their support for this suggestion. Mr. Ball asked how integral the vaccination program is to the success of the Spay/Neuter Program. He felt that the vaccinations were only providing income for the other program. He questioned the need for vaccination for distemper and parvo because of the little danger to human health. He also stated that leptospirosis was also not clearly related to dog-human relationships. He cited figures from the State Health Division which indicate that none of the reported leptospirosis cases can be attributed to canines. He said that these vaccinations should be studied. Mr. Hansen stated that he has been encouraging a review of this issue. He said other veterinarians have indicated their willingness to provide a low-cost spay/neuter clinic rather than having the City provide the service. He said they are also concerned with the City being in the vaccination 'business and he recognized that the 37,000 vaccinations administered does have an economic impact on those veterinarians. He suggested that a committee be formed to: ensure that low-cost spay/neuter fees through the veterinarians are provided, set up a program to ensure that animals are licensed) and set up a vaccination program. Mr. Hansen said the City should get out of the spay/neuter and vac- cination business if it can be shown that the veterinarians can provide the same services at a reasonable cost. Ms. Wooten said she agreed with Mr. Ball to study the vaccination program; she disagreed with ~Ir. Hansen's first two points. She said she is satisfied with the present system, stressing that it is cost-effective and providing a public service. In addition, she said that no determination has been made of the real impact on the private veterinary clinics. Ms. Schue stated that she is willing to study the issue. She said the Spay/Neuter Clinic was initiated because community needs were not being met by the private veterinarians. She said that no private veterinarian can be expected to operate only to cover costs as the City is doing. She said it would be short-sighted to eliminate the program after it has proven so successful. She asked staff to forward a copy of the report to Jack Delay, the person most responsible for the program. Mr. Hansen agreed that it was Mr. Delay's program and commented it was sold on an emotional basis. He stressed that if the private veterinarians can assure low-cost spay/neuter surgery, then the City should not be in that business. He acknowledged that the City should stay in the business if no controls can be provided. He said it is time to restudy the program. Ms. Smith said that Mr. Hansen's suggestion should be studied and be brought back to the council at a later date. Ms. Smith moved, seconded by Mr. Obie, that the Mayor appoint two councilors to reassess the approach on the Spay/Neuter Clinic program and to present the result of that study to the council. MINUTES-Eugene City Council January 25, 1984 Page 14