Fremont City Council Meeting: 02/03/26 07:00 PM
3300 Capitol Avenue Div/Dept: Police Department
Fremont, CA 94538 Category: Agreements and Contracts
SCHEDULED
Sponsors:
COUNCIL STAFF REPORT (ID # 5620) DOC ID: 5620
Updated: 1/29/2026 8:02 AM by Dina Lewis Page 1
VETERINARY CARE AND SPAY/NEUTER SERVICES - Authorize the City Manager, or her Designee, to increase the Purchase Order with Aborn Veterinary Hospital for an additional $100,000 for a total not-to-exceed amount of $199,000 for Animals at Tri-City Animal Shelter.
Contact Persons:
Name: Kelly Miott Diane Brasil
Title: Animal Services Manager Police Business Manager
Div/Dept: Police Department Police Department
Phone: (510) 790-6646 510-790-6816
E-Mail: [email protected] [email protected]
Executive Summary: The purpose of this report is to recommend that the City Council authorize the City Manager, or designee, to increase the existing purchase order with Aborn Veterinary Hospital to provide veterinary care, including spay/neuter services, for animals impounded at the Tri-City Animal Shelter. Aborn has been a valued partner and is the only veterinary provider in Fremont able to accommodate urgent same-day cases for diagnosis, treatment, and surgery.
BACKGROUND: California law requires that all animals in public shelters receive necessary veterinary care, including diagnosis, treatment, and surgery, and that all animals leaving shelters be sterilized. Fremont Municipal Code further mandates sterilization for dogs impounded more than once.
The City has actively recruited a full-time veterinarian and veterinary technician for over a year, but these positions remain unfilled, preventing the shelter from providing inhouse spay/neuter and urgent medical care. Aborn Veterinary Hospital is uniquely positioned to meet these needs immediately, providing same-day care for urgent cases, routine spay/neuter procedures, and convenient proximity to the shelter. This partnership ensures compliance with state and local law and is critical to maintaining animal health, public safety, and effective shelter operations. Meanwhile, recruitment for the veterinarian and veterinary technician position will continue.
DISCUSSION/ANALYSIS: Aborn Veterinary Hospital provides same-day care for urgent cases, routine spay/neuter procedures and is located near the shelter. They also offer the City a reduced “rescue” rate, helping to manage costs. This partnership ensures the City can meet its legal obligations under California law and the Fremont Municipal Code to provide diagnosis, treatment, surgery, and sterilization when needed. With key veterinary positions unfilled, Aborn is essential to sustaining shelter services, protecting animal welfare, and maintaining public safety.
FISCAL IMPACT: The proposal is to increase the purchase order by $100,000, for a total amount of $199,000 for the remainder of Fiscal Year 2025/26. No additional staffing or operational costs are anticipated. This expenditure is within the current fiscal year Animal Services operating budget and ensures compliance with state and local law while maintaining humane, safe, and efficient animal care services.
Council Staff Report (ID # 5620) Meeting of February 3, 2026 Updated: 1/29/2026 8:02 AM by Dina Lewis Page 2
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW: The proposed action is exempt from and not subject to review under the California Quality Act (CEQA) because, without limitation, it is not a “project” as defined in CEQA Guidelines Section 15378(b)(2) and/or 15378(b)(5) and as it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the activity may have a significant effect on the environment per CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3), each as a separate and independent basis for CEQA compliance.
RECOMMENDATION: Authorize the City Manager, or designee, to increase the purchase order with Aborn Veterinary Hospital by an additional $100,000 for a total not-to-exceed amount of $199,000 for animals at Tri-City Animal Shelter.