Staff Report
City Council
Item No. {{section.number}}.{{item.number}}
Meeting Date: September 24, 2025
From: Chief George Crum, Police Chief
Title: Riverside County Animal Control Field and Shelter Services Contract RECOMMENDATION:
This is for review and discussion only.
At a subsequent meeting, approve a three-year contract with Riverside County Department of Animal Services for Field and Shelter Service (Option #1 or #2).
BACKGROUND:
Since 2005, the City of Cathedral City has contracted Animal Control Field and Shelter Services through the Riverside County Department of Animal Services. We are currently pursuing a new three-year contract for the period July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2028. Staff were directed to investigate other local resources for animal services. Two local agencies were contacted, the City of Palm Springs and the City of Desert Hot Springs to see if they had capacity to contract with another city for services. The City of Palm Springs stated they could not offer us any services. The City of Desert Hot Springs said they do not offer field services outside of their city and their sheltering services are currently not able to assist us.
Soon, shelter services for the City of Desert Hot Springs will be taken over by a non-profit.
In coordinating with these two agencies, it was determined they cannot handle services for our city. Staff were directed to seek and compare contract options between a full and part- time (current) Animal Control Officer. Ultimately, the decision made will provide appropriate Animal Control Services for our community members.
DISCUSSION:
The Police Department has presented two viable options for consideration for FY 2025-2026 through FY 2027-2028.
Option One: Three-year contract for Full Time (100%) Field and Shelter Services
FY 2025-2026
Field Services for $293,960 and Shelter Services for $313,360 totaling $607,320
FY 2026-2027
Field Services for $316,186 and Shelter Services for $396,658 totaling $712,844
FY 2027-2028
Field Services for $331,996 and Shelter Services for $452,190 totaling $784,186
Option Two: Three-year contract for Part-Time (50%) Field and Shelter Services
FY 2025-2026
Field Services for $146,980 and Shelter Services for $313,360 totaling $460,340
FY 2026-2027
Field Services for $158,093 and Shelter Services for $396,658 totaling $554,751
FY 2027-2028
Field Services for $165,998 and Shelter Services for $452,190 totaling $618,188
The City is currently contracting with Riverside County Department of Animal Services for one part-time animal control officer for 20 hours of field service work, deployed Monday- Friday 8am to 12pm.
If option one is chosen, the animal control officer will work M-F 8:00am to 5:00pm to include an hour lunch break. If Option two is chosen, the Animal Control Officer will work M-F from 8:00am -12:00pm to include a 30-minute break. Any hours before or after these contracted hours, to include holidays and weekends is billed at an overtime rate with a minimum of two hours callout pay at $206.03/hour July to December 2025 then the rate increases to 216.33/hour January to June 2026. Both options also have a requirement to host one (1) Spay and Neuter Clinic and one (1) Vaccine and Licensing Clinic per contract year. The cost for each clinic is $3,500.00.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Option one: Full-Time FY 2025-2026 Animal Control Officer (1) $293,960.00
Animal Sheltering $313,360.00
Overtime $206.03/hour (July-Dec)
$216.33/hour (Jan-June)
Spay and Neuter Clinic $3,500.00
Vaccine and Licensing Clinic $3,500.00
FY 2025/2026 Total $614,320.00*
Option one: Full-Time FY 2026-2027 Animal Control Officer (1) $316,186.00
Animal Sheltering $396,658.00
Overtime $206.03/hour (July-Dec)
$216.33/hour (Jan-June)
Spay and Neuter Clinic $3,500.00
Vaccine and Licensing Clinic $3,500.00
FY 2026-2027 Total $719,844.00*
Option one: Full-Time FY 2027-2028 Animal Control Officer (1) $331,996.00
Animal Sheltering $452,190.00
Overtime $206.03/hour (July-Dec)
$216.33/hour (Jan-June)
Spay and Neuter Clinic $3,500.00
Vaccine and Licensing Clinic $3,500.00
FY 2027-2028 Total $ 791,186.00*
3 Year full time Total $2,125,350.00*
Option two: Part-Time FY 2025-2026 Animal Control Officer (.5) $146,980.00
Animal Sheltering $313,360.00
Overtime $206.03/hour (July-Dec)
$216.33/hour (Jan-June)
Spay and Neuter Clinic $3,500.00
Vaccine and Licensing Clinic $3,500.00
FY 2025-2026 Total $467,340.00*
Option two: Part-Time FY 2026-2027 Animal Control Officer (.5) $158,093.00
Animal Sheltering $396,658.00
Overtime $206.03/hour (July-Dec)
$216.33/hour (Jan-June)
Spay and Neuter Clinic $3,500.00
Vaccine and Licensing Clinic $3,500.00
FY 2026-2027 Total $561,751.00*
Option two: Part-Time FY 2027 to 2028 Animal Control Officer (.5) $165,998.00
Animal Sheltering $452,190.00
Overtime $206.03/ Hour (July-Dec)
$216.33/ Hour (Jan-June)
Spay and Neuter Clinic $3,500.00
Vaccine and Licensing Clinic $3,500.00
FY 2027-2028 Total $ 625,188.00*
3 Year part time Total $1,654,279.00*
*Estimates based without overtime rates being included. Overtime rate is subject to change based on the employee who responds.
The table below reflects the approved biennial budget for FY 2025-2026 and 2026-2027:
DESCRIPTION GENERAL
LEDGER
ACCOUNT
CODES
PROJECT
CODE
ORIGINAL
BUDGET
AMOUNT
ONE TIME or
ONGOING
2025-2026 Animal Control 100-300-310-
317-8600-8601 N/A $394,800 ON-GOING
2026-2027 Animal Control 100-300-310-
317-8600-8601 N/A $414,540 ON_GOING
FIVE-YEAR STRATEGIC PLAN:
Goal E: Safety
Action E-13: Review our animal control contract and options ATTACHMENTS:
1. Proposed Draft 3-year Contract with Riverside County Animal Services.