Primary Department: Public Health Services
Primary Department Head/Elected Official: Leah Barton - Executive Director
Secondary Department: N/A
Secondary Department Head/Elected Official:
Regular or Supplemental RCA: Regular RCA
Type of Request: Grant - Application
Project ID (if applicable): N/A
Vendor/Entity Legal Name (if applicable): Texas Health and Human Services Commission
MWBE Contracted Goal (if applicable): N/A
MWBE Current Participation (if applicable): N/A
Justification for 0% MWBE Participation Goal: N/A - Goal not applicable to request
Grant Indirect Costs Rate (if applicable): 0%
Justification for 0% Grant Indirect Costs Rate (if applicable): Grantor does not allow indirect cost capture
Request Summary (Agenda Caption):
title
Request by Public Health Services for approval to submit an application to the Texas Health and Human Services Commission for grant funds in the amount of $1,000,000, with no required match, for the Texas Spay and Neuter Pilot Program.
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Background and Discussion:
The Texas Spay and Neuter Pilot Program provides fee-for-service funding to support spay and neuter services to reduce the population of cats and dogs at risk for unplanned breeding, with the aim to reduce the spread of infectious diseases these animals may carry. Harris County Public Health’s Veterinary Public Health (VPH) Division conducts activities that protect human health by reducing risks associated with animal overpopulation and zoonotic disease, including spay and neuter Services. HCPH is seeking the court’s approval to apply for the state fee-for-service funding, which would support VPH’s ongoing sterilization activities across Harris County and align with VPH’s role in protecting public health.
Expected Impact:
If approved, this item will allow Harris County to enter a contract for state fee-for-service funding to support spay and neuter services for dogs and cats owned or in the custody of residents, shelters, rescue organizations, or government entities, strengthening countywide efforts to reduce unplanned breeding and associated public health risks. These funds would support work already occurring through HCPH’s VPH Division, which plays a key role in protecting human health by reducing the risk of animal-associated infectious diseases. By leveraging state reimbursement funds, the program would help sustain high-volume, cost-effective sterilization services without requiring new staffing or general funds. In particular, the funds would allow VPH to expand mobile pet sterilization surgeries within each Harris County precinct, make them more accessible to residents and increasing the likelihood that owners will have their pets spayed/neutered. Increased access to spay and neuter services has long-term benefits that extend beyond animal welfare, including reduced strain on shelters and animal control systems, fewer free-roaming animals, and lower risk of zoonotic disease transmission in communities across Harris County. Participation in this program allows the County to maximize available state resources while continuing to deliver preventative public health services that improve health and safety outcomes for residents countywide.
Alternative Options:
The court could choose not to approve HCPH’s request to apply for the funding. Doing so would impact VPH’s ability to receive new fee for service funding for existing public health services offered to the county. It could limit the number of animal sterilization surgeries VPH can complete each year, which could lead to animal overpopulation through breeding and potential result in the increased spread of diseases amongst pets and residents. It could also increase strain on VPH’s shelters from housing unwanted animals, creating more urgency to place pets through fostering or adoption in order to maintain the well-being of these animals.
County Strategic Plan Goal: 4. Improve physical and mental health outcomes across all communities.
County Strategic Plan Objective: O: Increase access to quality health care, including preventive and behavioral health.
Justice/Safety Initiative (Goal 1): Choose an item.
Infrastructure Initiative (Goal 2): Choose an item.
Economy Initiative (Goal 3): Choose an item.
Health Initiative (Goal 4): O4: Increase community health care capacity.
Climate/Resilience Initiative (Goal 5): Choose an item.
Housing Initiative (Goal 6): Choose an item.
Additional notes related to the Strategic Plan:
Prior Court Action (if any):
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Precinct(s): Countywide
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Grant Funds Applied for/Awarded (Total) |
$750,000 |
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$1,000,0000 |
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Anticipated Court Date: 2/26/2026
Anticipated Implementation Date (if different from Court date): 2/26/2026
Emergency/Disaster Recovery Note: Not an emergency, disaster, or ARPA related item
Contact(s) name, title, department: Corey Steele, Director, Veterinary Public Health Division, Public Health Services
Attachments (if applicable): Open Enrollment (OE), Grant Synopsis