City Council meeting
September 22, 2025
Agenda Item 13-A
Consideration and possible action to authorize the City Manager to 1) execute Amendment No. 9 to Agreement File No. 813, in a form approved by the City Attorney, with Southwest Patrol, Inc. adding animal control services and extending the term for security guard services; and 2) execute Amendment No. 2 to Agreement File No. 685 with Turbo Data Systems, Inc. adding online animal licensing services.
•August 12, 2024
•SEAACA contract renewal presented to City Council
•City Council directed staff to research other
alternatives
•FY 2025/26 proposed SEAACA contract
•Increase of 27% from FY 2024/25 net cost
•$641,880 to $814,974
Background
SEAACA Services
•Services include:
•Operation of an animal shelter
•Providing 1 assigned officer for 40 hours per week
•Impounding stray animals and collection of deceased animals •Investigating animal cruelty cases
•Enforce the Bellflower Municipal Code related to animals •Perform animal licensing and fee collection services
Service Averages
•Over the past 3.5 years
•Live dog impounds: 22.1 per month
•Live cat impounds: 12.3 per month
•Total: 34.4 live animal impounds per month
•Requests for assistance: 150.6 calls per month
New Service Model
Community Request
Public Safety Department
Southwest Patrol
LA County Sheriff
SPCALA Pet Haven Cemetery
Code Enforcement
•Southwest Patrol will provide:
•1 Animal Control Guard for 40 hours a week
•Guards will be trained in animal care, identifying animal illnesses, and handling of animals •Provide emergency call-outs, as needed/requested
•Pick up visibly sick, injured or physically suffering animals •Pick up stray animals running at large
•Remove dead animals
•Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Los Angeles (SPCALA) •12910 Yukon Ave, Hawthrone, CA
•16 miles from Bellflower, approximately 30-minute drive •Housing of live animals impounded by Southwest Patrol
•Provides veterinary care and adoption services
•Contract with Southwest Patrol is for 40 live animal drop-offs per month New Service Model Cont.
New Service Model Cont.
•Pet Haven Cemetery and Crematory:
•18300 S Figueroa St, Gardena, CA
•Deceased animals taken by Southwest
•Los Angeles County Sheriff
•Respond to and investigate criminal complaints related to animal cruelty
New Service Model Cont.
•Bellflower Code Enforcement
•Code Enforcement will respond and address violations of the BMC •Examples; dogs off leash, animals with no license, barking dog complaints, to many animals
•Section 6 of the Bellflower Municipal Code
•Future update to the municipal code
•Dog license canvasing, assistance from Southwest Patrol •Bellflower Public Safety
•Will operate the animal licensing program (approximately 3,500 licenses per year) •Primary point of contact for animal service calls
•Additional staff requested
•Part-time Administrative Assistant I
New Service Model Cont.
Service Responsible Organization
Operate an animal control shelter SPCALA
Deceased animal drop-off Pet Haven Cemetery
Provide 1 assigned officer for 40 hours per week Southwest Patrol Pick up stray dogs and deceased animals Southwest Patrol Investigate animal cruelty crimes LA County Sheriff’s Department Enforce the Bellflower Municipal Code related to animals Bellflower Code Enforcement Perform dog licensing and fee collection services Bellflower Public Safety
Feral Cats and Wildlife
•Feral Cat Removal
•Southwest Patrol mirroring SEAACA’s response to feral cats; if healthy, leave alone. •Potential to develop a future Trap-Neuter-Return program. •Dependent on shelter space and funding.
•Wild Animals
•Southwest will adhere to State laws regarding wild animals •Trapping and relocating wild animals is illegal (Title 14 California Code of Regulations) •Wild animals which are sick, injured, or deceased will be collected
Costs
Services
FY 2025-26
Est. Annual Cost
*Prorated for 8 Months
FY 2026-27
Est. Annual Cost
Southwest Patrol Animal Control Services $410,000 $450,000 Turbo Data Systems, Inc. Animal Licensing Services $18,000 $20,000 Part-time Administrative Assistant I $32,300 $49,000
Other Incidental Costs Associated with Animal Control
Services (including veterinary care costs)$15,000 $15,000 Total $475,300 $534,000
Less:
Adopted budget for animal control services (net of
estimated license fees)$675,000 $675,000
Estimated Animal Licensing Revenue $70,000 $80,000
Estimated Budget Increase / (Savings) $(269,700) $(221,000)
Community Outreach
•Public education and awareness
•Start immediately, leverage all public outreach methods available •Develop communication strategy with Tripepi Smith
•Would seek a minimum 30-day outreach campaign
Recommendation
1.Authorize the City Manager to execute Amendment No. 9 to Agreement File No. 813 with Southwest Patrol, Inc., in a form approved by the City Attorney; and
2.Authorize the City Manager to execute Amendment No. 2 to Agreement File No. 685 with Turbo Data Systems, Inc., in a form approved by the City Attorney; or
3. Alternatively, discuss and take other action related to this item.
City Council meeting
September 22, 2025
Agenda Item 13-A
Consideration and possible action to authorize the City Manager to 1) execute Amendment No. 9 to Agreement File No. 813, in a form approved by the City Attorney, with Southwest Patrol, Inc. adding animal control services and extending the term for security guard services; and 2) execute Amendment No. 2 to Agreement File No. 685 with Turbo Data Systems, Inc. adding online animal licensing services.
Animal Licensing Fees
Altered Dog Altered Dog,
Senior
Unaltered Dog Unaltered Dog,
Senior
Bellflower $15 $10 $42 $25
Bell Gardens $15 $10 $30 $20
Buena Park $20 $10 $60 $30
Downey $19.75 $5.75 $39.52 $19.75
Lakewood $20 $10 $40 $40
Long Beach $28 $14 $250 $125
Montebello $30 $20 $60 $30
Paramount $20 $10 $40 $40
Pico Rivera $23 $10 $97 $59
South El Monte $25 $15 $60 $40
South Gate $28 $8 $54 $54