Animal Services Department
4800 Imhoff Place
Martinez, California 94553-4300
(925) 608-8400
Beth Ward
Animal Services Director Contra
Costa
County
M
ayor Dion Bailey
City of Hercules
111 Civic Dr.
Hercules, CA 94547
Re: Recent Citizen Concerns
Dear Mayor Dion Bailey,
An organized animal group in the County has been participating in public comment at local city council meetings. We would like formally to address some of these concerns and provide a better understanding of the issues raised.
1. P
roposed New City Agreements - The proposed new agreement will allow for improved animal services countywide. The new agreement does not reduce services, it simply codifies current services in greater detail than the current agreement and provides a funding model that will allow for improved animal services. The draft agreement reflects the feedback provided during numerous meetings with contract cities (predominantly City Managers and Police Chiefs) over the last two years. The updated draft agreement details specific services provided under the agreement for all areas of operation, including detailing which services are not included. The updated agreement also improves accountability by stating target response times for each activity type, including requiring regular performance reporting.
2. S
pay & Neuter Services - The County has resumed public Spay & Neuter services as of March 1 and plans to expand services in the upcoming fiscal year. The proposed changes are to increase the clinic hours from 32 to 50 hours per week. After being temporarily scaled back as a result of o
perational impacts related to the pandemic, the clinics are back open and fully operational.
A
cknowledging the high demand for those services, Animal Services has taken action to increase the availability of these services by contracting with nonprofit organizations through support from the Animal Benefit Fund.
I
t is important to note Spay & Neuter and vaccination clinic services have never been included in the contract city agreements. The agreements focus exclusively on mandated services provided as the municipal animal control agency. Funding for these services have historically been from the County General Fund and revenue collected to provide these services.
ATTACHMENT F. Animal Services Letter of April 8, 2022 Regarding Recent Citizen Concerns
3. Transporting Injured animals to non-profits – Contra Costa Animal Services (CCAS) responds to calls for sick and injured domestic animals and livestock. In these cases, transport is typically provided to the Martinez shelter or an emergency veterinarian depending on the circumstances. It is very rare animal transport would be needed to a nonprofit for medical treatment.
4. Wildlife calls for service - Animal Services will respond to deceased wildlife pick up calls, with limited exceptions. The new agreement includes the addition of this service. However, the agreement does not include medical services for injured wildlife as this is not a service the department is mandated to perform. The service of responding to live sick or injured wildlife falls under the jurisdiction of the State Department of Fish and Wildlife. Any past assistance from CCAS in regard to live, injured wildlife have been done so solely as a courtesy when the Department of Fish and Wildlife were unable to respond.
5. General Fund Support - The County is committed to partnering with cities and supporting animal services. The County’s contribution for FY 2022-23 is $4,382,000 an increase of $270,000 from 2021-22. However, the County does not have an obligation to subsidize city animal services under state law. The alternative to providing mandated animal services is for a city to take on these responsibilities themselves. Though contracting with the County to provide services generally ends up saving cities money.
I hope this communication provides a better understating of the issues being raised. I am happy to discuss any concerns, so please do not hesitate to reach out.
Sincerely,
Beth Ward
Beth Ward
Director
Contra Costa Animal Services