Humane society adoptions to cost less?

Animal services fees proposed by the Nevada Humane Society for Carson City would mirror many of city government’s fees, but adoptions weren’t included, will vary and could cost less.

The Board of Supervisors Thursday will consider an ordinance that repeals the city fee structure while allowing animal services to be run by the society on a contract basis. It also takes up a lease and contract to make that change. The society’s proposed fees don’t include adoptions in part because it sometimes waives the charge or charges reasonably via periodic specials, according to a city official.

“They don’t have it in their proposed schedule,” said Nicki Aaker, director of city Health and Human Services, which has oversight of animal services. “I think they average $13.”

Kevin Ryan, the society CEO, cited a range of $13 to $26 isn’t unusual and spaying or neutering, micro-chipping for identification and vaccinations are included rather than extra. “We run specials constantly,” he said.

The website said normally the adoption fee is $50, but the waivers or specials reduce that.

The society has a no kill policy, which means at least 90 percent of animals taken in at dog shelters it runs survive and few are euthanized. The city fee structure has been $90 and $70 for adoption of altered dogs or cats, respectively, $20 for unaltered dogs and cats, and $90 for puppies and kittens.

The switch to a contract operation was proposed by City Manager Nick Marano after he took the helm here. The board gave initial approval Sept. 4 to the ordinance laying groundwork for the switch. The ordinance and contract are on Thursday’s agenda for debate and probable action, and the humane society’s planned fees were released by the city Monday.

The ones included mirror similar ones on the city’s schedule. Permits remain $50, an unaltered license $25, an altered license $8, and an expired license $10. Vaccinations stay $10 and rabies vaccinations $15. Reclaiming an impounded animal stays the first time at $40, ascending in $40 increments to a fourth impound reclaim cost of $160. Boarding or quarantine remains unchanged at $10 per day.

Other items on Thursday’s agenda include a business impact statement and discussion of potential business licenses and regulations for medical marijuana establishments, refunding of bonded indebtedness to save on interest in coming years, and a public hearing on $13.6 million in capital improvement project bonds.