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ORAN UNTY MEMO To: Animal Services Advisory Board From: Bob Marot0', ector, Animal Services Sarah Falll ram Coordinator, Animal Services Date: June 14, 2013 Re: Qualifying Income Levels for the Community Spay /Neuter Fund Despite an increase in the advertising budget for the Community Spay /Neuter Fund last year, the number of surgeries performed and vouchers issued did not reflect the growth we had expected or seen in the previous years. This flattening did not occur in the population receiving public assistance and qualifying for a free surgery, but in the vouchers that were issued to those paying a $20 co -pay, a population that qualifies based on income requirements alone.1 Given this fact, staff discussed the possibility of increasing the income criteria to more closely align with the income eligibility requirements of the NC Spay /Neuter Reimbursement Program. Those requirements allow reimbursement to local governments for assistance to households that make under 300 percent of the federal poverty threshold.2 In contrast, the current guidelines for income qualification used by AnimalKind and Animal Services are less than half of the federal poverty level.3 The idea of increasing these income requirements either to a median point or to 300 percent seemed attractive to staff originally, but further investigation has shown some cause for concern and a need for more research and input. The concerns identified are as follows: a) public perception over qualifying households that are well above the poverty level b) the possibility of competing with local veterinarians for services c) the possibility of swamping the program with too much demand 1 The number of citizens redeeming vouchers based on public assistance qualification continued to grow in 2012. 2 The complete federal guideline criteria can be found at _h_ttp: / /familiesusa.org /resources /tools -for- advocates /guides /federal - poverty - guidelines htmi. 8 AnimalKind's Income eligibility criteria vary based on household size and are up to 147.95% of the federal poverty level. A listing of their qualifying incomes can be found at www.animalkind.org.