Item 37/2025
Final
City of Garden Grove
INTER-DEPARTMENT MEMORANDUM
To:
Lisa L. Kim From: William E. Murray
Dept:
City Manager Dept: Public Works
Date: 2/11/2025
Subject: Approval of a contract with AAA Animal Hospital for Veterinary Care Services. (Cost: $190,000 per year)(Action Item)
OBJECTIVE
To request City Council approval of a contract with AAA Animal Hospital (AAA) for veterinary care support services to the Orange County Humane Society (OCHS) , in the amount of $190,000 per year. Additionally, pursuant to Garden Grove Municipal Code 2.50.060 (F) & (G), the Public Works Department requests that the City Council determine it to be in the best interest of the City to forego the bidding process, as AAA and OCHS operate in tandem, and OCHS sheltering services cannot be properly sustained without onsite AAA veterinary care.
BACKGROUND
The City entered into an agreement with OCHS for animal sheltering services in January 2017 to house and care for all animals impounded by the City. AAA’s building is physically connected to the shelter, and it has provided the basic necessary veterinary care for animals that are impounded since the program’s inception. Both OCHS and AAA are owned and operated by Veterinarian Dr. Samir Botros who is the head veterinarian.
DISCUSSION
When any healthy, injured, or sick animal has been brought to OCHS, AAA has rendered basic necessary medical treatment and care. AAA is located next door to OCHS, where animals get quick, necessary, and continual care as required by law, also providing City staff the ability to authorize progressive life saving measures for a nimals that have been sheltered by the City.
Treatment services can often start the minute the animal arrives at the shelter, or may take place at any time during the animal’s stay, as shelter animals’ medical needs are constantly changing. Veterinary costs are currently being billed from and paid to OCHS. Without a separate contract, AAA cannot receive the portion of the payments to cover veterinary service costs. The veterinary service costs is estimated to be $120,000 per year.
Item 37/2025
The additional $70,000 included in the contract cost is for spaying and neutering as part of the Return-to-Field cat program. This is an existing program, and the funding is included in the Public Work’s Animal Control Services Division operating budget.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
The total contract cost will be set at $190,000 per year with the following breakdown : (1) $100,000 will be solely used for basic treatment as described above, and per Attachment A, and billed at a monthly fixed price of approximately $8,333; (2) $70,000 will be used for veterinarian services required for spaying and neutering as part of the Return -to-Field cat program and billed mo nthly only when these operations are ongoing; (3) $20,000 will be used for any services required for non-basic, emergency medical treatment.
No additional appropriation is required for the current fiscal year. However, moving forward, an additional $120, 000 will need to be incorporated into the Public Works Department’s annual operational budget to accommodate this contract. The department will submit a funding request during the biennial budget process for fiscal years 2025–2027.
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council:
Authorize the request to dispense with bidding in the best interest of the City pursuant to Garden Grove Municipal Code 2.50.060 (G) & (F);
Approve the contract with AAA Animal Hospital, in the amount of $190,000 per year, for veterinary care support services to the Orange County Humane Society; Authorize the City Manager, or designee, to execute the contract and make minor modifications as appropriate thereto on behalf of the City; and Authorize the City Manager, or designee, to execute option year amendments, and make minor modifications as appropriate thereto on behalf of the City.
By: Heidi Poe, Animal Care Services Supervisor
ATTACHMENT(S)
1. Attachment A - AAA Scope of Services
2. AAA Agreement