DATE:
February 17, 2026
TO:
Mayor and Council Members
FROM:
Rachel Molina, City Manager
BY:
Melinda Sayre, Deputy City Manager/ City Clerk
Romina Gonzalez, Commuity Program Manager
SUBJECT:
Consideration of PAW Mission Mobile Services Supplementary Veterinary Contract
RECOMMENDED ACTION
It is recommended that the City Council authorize the City Manager to approve a one-year contract with PAW Mission for supplementary mobile spay and neuter services in the not-to-exceed amount of $75,000.
BACKGROUND
The City requires additional veterinary capacity to address a current backlog of adopted animals awaiting spay and neuter procedures. The City is legally obligated under California Food and Agricultural Code Sections 30503 and 31751.3 to ensure all dogs and cats are spayed or neutered prior to adoption but that has not been possible due to lack of availability and interest with local veterinary services.
The City contracts with Ji Vel Relief Veterinary Services to ensure the Animal Shelter operates safely and in compliance with state regulations. Ji Vel Relief provides telemedicine evaluations, vaccination clinics and oversight of the Shelter’s Premises Permit, which authorizes the storage and use of controlled medications. Additionally, one surgical day per week is held to sterilize approximately 20–30 animals.
In parallel, the City is actively recruiting for a full-time veterinarian through extensive outreach, including statewide and national advertising, direct mailings to over 25,000 licensed veterinarians, professional publications, veterinary schools, and industry trade shows. Despite these efforts, the position remains unfilled.
ISSUES/ANALYSIS
PAW Mission, a long-standing non-profit serving Los Angeles and San Bernardino Counties specializing in high-volume, affordable mobile veterinary services has recently begun working with agencies in the Mojave River Valley area. Utilizing PAW Mission’s services would significantly reduce the Shelters spay/neuter backlog while providing reliable veterinary care.
PAW Mission is a non-profit organization whose mission is to help decrease shelter euthanasia through affordable, accessible veterinary care. PAW Mission operates with an independent mobile clinical team enabling an average of 35 spay/ neuter surgeries per day. This model allows shelter staff to remain focused on daily operations and animal care. The daily cost is $6,250 for up to 35 procedures.
As the City continues efforts to secure an onsite contracted veterinarian, contracting with PAW Mission would supplement Shelter services and ensure compliance with state law.
CITY GOAL SUPPORTED BY THIS ITEM
Public Safety - Ensure public safety resources adequately protect our community
FISCAL IMPACT
During the First Quarter budget process, a total of $75,000 was transferred from salary savings associated with the Veterinarian and Community Program Manager positions; only the Community Program Manager position was subsequently filled. If the City Council approves the contract with PAW Mission, these funds will be used to support the contract and will not require any additional budget amendment.
ALTERNATIVE(S)
Provide alternative direction to staff.
ATTACHMENT(S)
None
City of Hesperia STAFF REPORT City of Hesperia STAFF REPORT City of Hesperia
STAFF REPORT
City of Hesperia
STAFF REPORT
Staff Report to the Mayor and Council Members
Paw Mission Veterinary Services
February 17, 2026