The Waco City Council today will hear a proposal to require owners to either have their pets spayed or neutered, or pay for a permit exempting them.

The Animal Control Advisory Board will present the proposed “intact animal ordinance” at a 3 p.m. work session.

The advisory board argues that a stronger policy is needed to reduce the stray population and the burden on local shelters.

Of the estimated 10,000 animals the Waco Humane Society shelter takes in each year, about half are adopted, fostered or rescued. The rest are euthanized or die.

“Obviously, what’s pushing it is the unwanted puppies and kittens we get each year,” said Karen Froelich, executive director of the Waco Humane Society and a member of the board. “There are many times when we get puppies and kittens that are not even weaned. They don’t have much of a chance. We can’t adopt our way out of this problem.”

The permits would be aimed at breeding animals, but a pet owner could choose to get a permit for any reason. Exemptions may be allowed in cases when a veterinarian advises against altering the animal. The board has not set a suggested price for the permit.

Froelich said enforcement of the ordinance would be targeted at strays.

“Animal control is not going to go door to door,” she said. “It’s mostly going to be following when animals are running loose.”

In other business today, the council is expected to amend an agreement with Waco Independent School District and McLennan County to consolidate school, city and the special state Senate elections May 8.

Within the limits of WISD and the city of Waco, voters will have a single ballot for all three elections and can go to one polling place, whether it is early voting or election day.

No other area city or school district is coordinating their local elections with the state Senate election, which is administered by the county.

County election administrator Kathy Van Wolfe said coordinating elections among the city, county and WISD saves money for all three parties.

jbsmith@wacotrib.com

757-5752

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