But it is a consideration if animals are allowed to leave shelters without spaying or neutering. It is also a consideration (but less likely) if the animal dies on the table due to complications due to age. Or worse, survive with ongoing health complications. Animals leaving the shelter with a voucher or a promise to spay/neutered often do not return and that should be a huge consideration. One female can produce over 2000 puppies in her lifetime. That multiplies out to around 40,000 dogs in 5 years or so.

Also, animals that are not old enough to be neutered, and some vets really push the age; have health complications and/or death which waste vital resources and money. Animals that have health issues are more likely to be returned to shelters or put out on the streets.

In a town where overpopulation and money are the biggest concerns for animal control, both are important to consider in an overall program. It shouldn't be controversial, it should just be of the consideration when implementing a program.

Nothing is foolproof to a sufficiently talented fool.