In a contract that has not yet been finalized, the city of Edinburg is facing a more than triple increase in the per-animal rate with a local shelter.

While the city of Edinburg currently pays a rate of $76 per each accepted animal at Palm Valley Animal Society, the shelter is now asking that rate to be increased to $237.

PVAS Society Development Coordinator Julian Whitacre says the cost is justified.

“We’re asking for that increase so that we can continue to provide the humane and live-saving work that we do here at Palm Valley,” Whitacre said.

The nonprofit works with entities like McAllen, Hidalgo, La Joya, Palmhurst and the county. The city of Edinburg’s current contract with PVAS ends in December.

“It costs us about $400 dollars an animal — to take care of them, their medical needs, their microchips, their vaccinations, everything," Whitacre said.

A spokesperson for the city tells Channel 5 News that at this time, the city is only in talks of renewing the contract.

“We’re hoping that the city of Edinburg sees the value in the work that we do and that they see this increase in price is going to help us provide more humane care for the animals, more enrichment for the animals and better lives for the animals in our care here at Palm Valley Animal Society while they wait for their new homes," Whitacre said.

Channel 5 News tried speaking with the Edinburg City Manager Ron Garza for more on the matter, but we were told that he would not be available this week.

Correction: A previous version of this article stated that the city of McAllen approved a contract with the Palm Valley Animal Society at a rate that was less than $237 per animal. The city of McAllen’s contract is currently $237 per animal up to 4,500 animals/year. The rate for each animal over 4,500 is $267.