From: Denise Salles
To: Council, City
Subject: Pets in Need contract
Date: Monday, March 18, 2024 10:13:49 AM
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Dear City Council members,
l am deeply disappointed to see current contract terms with Pets In Need. The City has decided to spend $7 million over a 5-year term with fewer services than originally agreed to, and now at a greater expense. Why?
• For example, PIN is currently offering spay/neuter services ONE day a week, and only to PA and LA/LAH residents.
• An article in today's Daily Post suggests that wait times for spay/neuter have decreased, which is incorrect.
• For people outside of PA or LA/LAHs, the spay/neuter waiting list is 6 months! • The shot clinic, offered weekly, has a caveat. You have to register on their website in advance. What about people who don't have internet access? Yes, I know most people have phones, but restricting vaccines to only those who register in advance is not efficient. PAAS offered a weekly shot clinic @ specific hours, and it worked beautifully.
Pets In Need as an organization does not align with the City’s needs, and never will, nor do they desire to. With the reduction of valuable services, and increased expenses, what is their incentive to serve the community? The original contract stated that they would keep services as they were with PAAS, and it's been nothing but paring down since 2019.
I am nervous and saddened about further loss of service and an added financial burden for the city over the next 5 years.
Sincerely,
Denise Salles
650-269-9494
From: herb
To: Council, City; Clerk, City
Subject: Fw: March 18, 2024 Council Meeting, Item #8: Pets in Need Contract Date: Sunday, March 17, 2024 4:28:25 PM
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MARCH 18, 2024 CITY COUNCIL MEETING, AGENDA ITEM #8
PETS IN NEED CONTRACT
The link in my prior email did not work because the search function on the relevant site timed out.
To view the linked document:
1. Go to "oag.ca.gov";
2. Under Programs go to "Charities";
3. Scroll down page to "Charity Research Sources";
4. Click on "Registry Research Tool";
5. Search for "Pets in Need" under Organization Name.
Herb Borock
From: herb <[email protected]>
Sent: Sunday, March 17, 2024 11:09 PM
To: [email protected] <[email protected]>; [email protected] <[email protected]>
Subject: March 18, 2024 Council Meeting, Item #8: Pets in Need Contract
MARCH 18, 2024 CITY COUNCIL MEETING, AGENDA ITEM #8
PETS IN NEED CONTRACT
I urge you to remove this item from your agenda because Pets in Need has not filed its required registration as a non-profit public benefit corporation with the California Attorney General as required by law:
https://rct.doj.ca.gov/Verification/Web/Details.aspx?
result=d2811076-c196-4bb6-8f83-58403ffa1663
Herb Borock
From: herb
To: Council, City; Clerk, City
Subject: March 18, 2024 Council Meeting, Item #8: Pets in Need Contract Date: Sunday, March 17, 2024 4:09:49 PM
Some people who received this message don't often get email from [email protected]. Learn why this is important
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on links.
MARCH 18, 2024 CITY COUNCIL MEETING, AGENDA ITEM #8
PETS IN NEED CONTRACT
I urge you to remove this item from your agenda because Pets in Need has not filed its required registration as a non-profit public benefit corporation with the California Attorney General as required by law:
https://rct.doj.ca.gov/Verification/Web/Details.aspx?
result=d2811076-c196-4bb6-8f83-58403ffa1663
Herb Borock
From: Kadri Raja
To: Council, City
Subject: Council Meeting 3/18/2024 Consent Calendar Item 8 - Pets In Need contract clarifications Date: Friday, March 15, 2024 2:09:16 PM
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Dear Council Members,
I am reaching out with concerns regarding new additions to Pets In Need and the City of Palo
Alto’s contract scope of services since the last council meeting. I recommend you review these edits before approving them on consent.
1. Reduction of service previously not discussed.
EXHIBIT “A” SCOPE OF SERVICES
II. PETS IN NEED RESPONSIBILITIES:
8. Licensing and other fee collection
b) When needed, CONSULTANT shall assist walk-in customers to navigate the online application process or provide a paper application and assist in filling out, as appropriate.
Dog licensing is a requirement by Palo Alto Municipal Code (language included below) and dog licenses have historically been available for in-person service at the shelter. This change will affect the compliance with city ordinance, particularly for those who have challenges using or accessing technology.
Recommend Pets In Need to continue issuing licenses at the front office during adoptions, spay/neuter, vaccination clinic and regular walk-ins. Either remitting the fees to the City or retaining the fees.
6.16.010 License and tag.
No person shall keep or cause to be kept any dog that is over the age of four months within the city for more than ten days unless the dog is licensed as provided in this title and has around its neck a collar to which is attached a plate or tag as provided by this title. (Ord. 2601 § 1, 1971: Ord. 2395 § 1 (part), 1967)
2. Increased cost to the City that was previously not discussed.
EXHIBIT “A” SCOPE OF SERVICES
II. PETS IN NEED RESPONSIBILITIES:
2. Medical Services
a) CONSULTANT shall provide supplies, and professional and trained personnel, employed or under subcontract or contract, necessary to perform the following services (“Medical Services”): Provision of veterinarian services 8.5 hours per day, six days a week to treat and provide veterinarian care for impounded animals, including for animals picked-up by Animal Control Officers. Upon City approval, City shall pay for any after-hours emergency vet services, notwithstanding animals on stray hold, City shall pay for any after-hours emergency vet services. After hours is defined as 5pm - 8:30am Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, and all day and night Sunday
It was not discussed that the City would take financial responsibility for after-hours for ALL animals (Pets In Need out-of-jurisdiction transfers, out-of-jurisdiction surrenders, or animals from in-jurisdiction that are off stray hold). This should only apply for animals currently on stray hold from Palo Alto and contract cities (Los Altos and Los Altos Hills). Recommend changing the language to reflect limited financial responsibility.
3. Potential increased cost to the City and loss of services.
EXHIBIT “A” SCOPE OF SERVICES
II. PETS IN NEED RESPONSIBILITIES:
2. Wildlife
a) The impoundment of wildlife shall be managed by CONSULTANT staff. An assessment of wildlife shall be done by medical staff, if necessary. If the animal is severely injured or sick, a licensed veterinarian shall be consulted, and the case shall be fully documented in accordance with AVMA guidelines. This Agreement assumes that all wildlife animals will continue to be transferred to the Peninsula Humane Society at no cost to the CITY or to CONSULTANT, as set forth in the Memorandum of Understanding between CONSULTANT and Peninsula Humane Society dated November 17, 2017. Should Peninsula Humane Society request fees for wildlife intake, CONSULTANT and the CITY shall negotiate in good faith to amend this Agreement per Section 27.4 herein, to provide for the reimbursement by CITY to CONSULTANT of such fees (upon documentation of such fees by CONSULTANT reasonably satisfactory to CITY).
Pets In Need has been taking responsibility for arranging transport for wildlife since they took over operations in Palo Alto, it should be stated clearly to avoid future changes to services.
Recommend adding sentence, “Consultant is responsible for arranging transport to Peninsula Humane Society” to exhibit for clarification.
These adjustments and clarifications are necessary additions to the contract to ensure clear and amicable working relationships between Pets In Need and Palo Alto Animal Control.
Kadri Raja-Corrollo
Palo Alto Animal Control Officer