TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL)--Funding cuts are front and center on the minds of animal service and advocates in Tallahassee.
The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals is ending it's partnership with organizations in the community including animal services, animal control, and the humane society to name a few.
"The biggest impact we're going to see without continuing the partnership is is the number of animals not getting spayed and neutered in Tallahassee right now," said Tallahassee Animal Services Director Erika Leckington.
About 9,000 animals end up at the shelter each year and that number could go even higher once the partnership with the ASPCA ends in December.
"That's obviously not something we are thrilled about because they have provided a great amount of money and guidance to all the partners in Tallahassee," said Leckington.
Leckington says organizations including the humane society, Be the Solution, animal control, and animal services received a total of $350,000. She says the ASPCA evaluates what resources the community has to support animal services and what they don't have is a low cost spay and neuter clinic.
"One of those things we need is a high volume, high quality, low cost spay and neuter clinic and right now there's not an organization that's in a position to build one," said Leckington.
That's one of the reasons the ASPCA is dropping its partnership because they say the key ingredients needed for a low cost spay and neuter model just weren't coming together.
They said in a statement, "the ASPCA has an obligation to make sure our resources are maximized and grant recipients are implementing the most effective solutions to save as many lives as possible."
Leckington says animal services has added two positions to its staff through the partnership. She says they're confident they'll be able to keep them on board.
