TRINITY — The Trinity City Council continued funding one pet spay/neuter program, but told a second organization that their request would be better dealt with for next year’s budget.
The council gave its annual stamp of approval on Thursday to Pet Fixers’ subsidy of $1,500, which allows the group to issue vouchers to have animals spayed or neutered the DeHart Veterinary Services.
Debbie Wilson of Pet Fixers said that since the inception of the organization several years ago, they have issued 737 vouchers, which are paid for by donations and contributions from county and city governments. About 80 percent of those vouchers have been redeemed.
Wilson said they target pet owners who need help with their pets; 87 percent of people who are at or below poverty own animals, which spurred Pet Fixers to take a proactive approach to solving the stray animal problems.
Also at the meeting, another agency, Camelot Animal Allies, requested $11,000 from the city to ply their trade, which is to trap stray cats, have them spayed or neutered, and then return them to the area they were trapped.
The group also does dogs, but those are not released but sent for adoption.
Representatives of the group said they had 400 cats sterilized in 2025.
However, Council Member Bubba Smith said the for that amount, CAA should approach the city during budget discussions. Additionally, Smith said that is a decision for all council members, as Phillip Morrison and Scott Womack were not present.
Mayor Billy Goodin said the city also would like to have its animal control program in place before making any commitments.
Goodin did introduce the city’s newly hired animal control officer, John Drone, but took no action regarding updates to its pet ordinances.
In separate matters, the council tabled action on changing companies to lease garbage trucks and tabled a request from City Manager Tracy Hutto to end Saturday trash removal.
Hutton said she had been auditing trash receptacles for businesses because of the additional trash removal, which meant overtime pay for the driver. The audit will be used to contact businesses to get properly sized receptacles.
