September 14, 2026
Pets In Need - Palo Alto Animal Shelter
Surveillance Use Policy
Purpose of surveillance technology:
The primary purpose of implementing surveillance technology at the Palo Alto Animal Shelter is to enhance the safety and security of Pets In Need – it’s staff, volunteers, visitors, animals, and facilities – which has been subject to overnight loitering, tampering with mail, abandonment of animals on premises, and occasional animal-related incidents (i.e. bites, escapes from kennel, medical and behavior observations). It will also provide evidence to the Palo Alto Police Department (PAPD) and Animal Control Officers (ACOs) if an incident occurs inside or outside the animal shelter.
Type of surveillance technology:
Surveillance technology includes a Nest Doorbell camera, Nest surveillance cameras, and monitoring systems designed to capture real-time video. These devices will record activities in and outside of the animal shelter. Surveillance cameras around the animal shelter will focus on entry points, the front parking lot, and animal housing areas. The doorbell camera is designed to capture real-time video and audio when pressed and communicates with Google display hubs set up throughout the animal shelter that notify designated personnel when someone is at the front door. The audio feature on the doorbell is solely for communicating with the individual at the doorbell via the Google display hubs. Audio is not captured on any recorded video history. Pets in Need has a Nest Aware Plus subscription that stores 60 days of event video history + 10 days of 24/7 video history.
Locations:
Front Door Doorbell: The doorbell has a camera and voice component to it. During non-open hours when staff are onsite, visitors can ring the doorbell which will be sent to Google Home Hubs on staff desks who can communicate with the visitor or come to answer the door depending on the situation.
Lobby: Allows management to view the facility when staff are not on site to ensure all animals and property are safe in case of alarm activation as well as potential tracking in case an animal goes missing or is abandoned. Also, enhances the security and safety of Pets In Need and its staff.
Play Yard: Allows management to view the facility when staff are not on site to ensure all animals and property are safe. Also, it allows management to pull footage of any animal-related incidents that may occur while animals are out in the play yard.
Interior Isolation Building: Allows management to view the facility when staff are not on site and ensure the safety of animals kept in this housing area due to the need for medical observation.
September 14, 2026
Parking Lot: Allows management to view the facility when staff are not on site in case of alarm activation and ensures safety of staff during early morning and evening hours. Camera will capture all vehicles entering and exiting the property.
Medical Clinic: Allows management to view the medical clinic when staff are not on site to ensure all animals and property are safe. Also enhances security of a controlled substance safe in the clinic.
The following areas will allow management to view the facility when staff are not on site to ensure all animals and property are safe in case of alarm activation as well as potential tracking in case an animal goes missing.
• Cat hallway
• Cat room 1
• Cat room 2
• Exterior breezeway
• Exterior adoption dog kennels
• Interior adoption dog kennels
• Exterior stray dog kennels
• Front of building (facing modular building)
• Rear of building
Compliance with laws:
Surveillance technology will comply with applicable laws related to video and audio recording.
This includes Labor Code section 435, which forbids employers from recording in a restroom, locker room, or changing room; and Penal Code section 632, which prohibits recording audio of “confidential communication,” subject to exceptions such as for public meetings under Penal Code section 632(c).
Mitigation actions:
Access to surveillance footage is limited to designated positions in Pets in Need and is permitted only when there is a legitimate operational, safety, or investigative need.
The Director of Shelter Operations and Facilities & IT Manager are authorized to access and review surveillance footage when requested by the CEO or another Director for a specific, authorized purpose.
When footage is relevant to an investigation, only the applicable portion of the footage may be clipped and shared with the following positions on a need-to-know basis:
• Animal-related investigations: Director of Behavior & Medical Services and Behavior, Training & Rescue Manager.
• Employee-related investigations: Director of Human Resources and CEO.
September 14, 2026
These positions may receive relevant clipped footage for purposes of the investigation but are not otherwise authorized to independently access or review the surveillance system.
City police personnel will be granted access for law enforcement purposes.
Annual reporting:
PIN will provide annual surveillance report information (as defined in PAMC section
2.30.680(a)1) to the City by August 1 of each year to include:
PAMC 2.30.680(a)
(a) "Annual surveillance report" means a written report, submitted after the close of the fiscal year and that includes the following information with respect to the prior fiscal year:
(1) A description of how each Council-approved surveillance technology was used, including whether it captured images, sound, or information regarding members of the public who are not suspected of engaging in unlawful conduct;
(2) Whether and how often data acquired through the use of the surveillance technology was shared with outside entities, the name of any recipient entity, the types of data disclosed, and the reason for the disclosure;
(3) A summary of any community complaints or concerns about the surveillance technology; (4) Non-privileged and non-confidential information regarding the results of any internal audits, information about violations of the surveillance use policy, and any actions taken in response;
(5) Whether the surveillance technology has been effective at achieving its identified purpose;
(6) The number and nature of Public Records Act requests relating to the surveillance technology;
(7) Annual costs for the surveillance technology and for compliance with this surveillance and privacy protection ordinance, including personnel and other ongoing costs, and sources of funding; and
(8) Other relevant information as determined by the City Manager. 1 Palo Alto Municipal Code Section 2.30.680(a);
https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/paloalto/latest/paloalto_ca/0-0-0-62178