FW: Budget Addendum Pertaining to Animal Services in San Jose City Clerk < [email protected]>
Tue 6/20/2023 7:53 AM
To:Agendadesk <[email protected]>
-----Original Message-----
From: Lucas S Stamos <
Sent: Saturday, June 17, 2023 1:55 PM
To: City Clerk < [email protected]>
Subject: Re: Budget Addendum Pertaining to Animal Services in San Jose [You don't often get email from Learn why this is important at https://aka.ms/LearnAboutSenderldentification l
[External Email]
Sent from my iPad
> On Jun 12, 2023, at 9:29 PM, Lucas S Stamos • wrote:
> I urge you to address the overwhelming surge in feral cats on the streets of San Jose. We desperately need an active TNR program to reduce the suffering and to stop the reproductive cycle and ever-increasing population. The volunteers are overwhelmed and have been carrying the full load far too long. The City Of San Jose needs to do their part by providing the neuter services through hiring veterinarians - how about contract vets? - spay and neuter vans, and vouchers. > Please do your part to end the suffering and provide the animal services care you are responsible for. > Sincerely,
> Anne Stamos
> Sent from my iPad
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FW: Fiscal 2023-2024 Animal Care & Services ("Animal Services") Budget City Clerk < [email protected]>
Tue 6/20/2023 12:59 PM
To:Agendadesk <[email protected]>
-----Original Message-----
From: Darya Ganji •
Sent: Tuesday, June 20, 2023 12:36 PM
To: City Clerk < [email protected]>
Cc: The Office of Mayor Matt Mahan <[email protected]>; District1 < [email protected]>; District2 < [email protected]>; District3 < [email protected]>; District4 < [email protected]>; District5 < District @sanjoseca.gov>; District 6 < [email protected]>; District/ < District/@sanjoseca.gov>; Districts < [email protected]>; District9 < [email protected]>; District 10 < [email protected]> Subject: Re: Fiscal 2023- 2024 Animal Care & Services ("Animal Services") Budget [You don't often get email from Learn why this is important at https://aka.ms/LearnAboutSenderldentification J
[External Email]
Dear City Clerk:
I am a San Jose resident and am writing to state my strong support for the increases for Animal Services in the Mayor and City Manager's proposed Fiscal Year 2023-2024 budget. I appreciate how these increases recognize the challenges faced by Animal Services and respond to concerns voiced by the community over the past year.
Converting the temporary overstrength position of Supervisor Shelter Operations to permanent status, and adding more full-time positions, a night shift and a dedicated senior resource for facilities repair and maintenance will improve the shelter's ability to provide greatly needed support to our community and increase live outcomes for the animals.
The night shift is a critical addition, as it will enable the shelter to provide care for underage kittens, the highest volume and most vulnerable animals at the shelter. The allocation of monies for support of adoption and rescue outcomes is also essential. It will allow more animals in need to move to organizations that can provide the specialized care necessary for such animals to be placed for adoption.
While the proposed budget for Animal Services represents substantial progress, I believe the following matters are still in need of additional funding and attention.
The data produced and used by the shelter to direct its operations, measure its performance and predict future community needs is incomplete and/or inaccurate. The shelter needs a dedicated IT Business Analyst to review and develop systems and processes for the collection, use, and transparency of data, including the collection of critical missing data integral to development of a long-term strategy, such as the number of animals turned away at intake and the reasons admission was denied.
Expanding and staffing the Trap, Neuter & Return (TNR) program for community cats is mandatory. During May the shelter accepted 743 kittens and as of June 6th was holding 340 kittens, representing the majority of the animals in the shelter. The shelter, rescue organizations, and fosters are at or over capacity and animals are being turned away. Friendly community kittens are being found throughout San Jose; there is no place for them to go and it is still the beginning of "kitten season".
This problem results directly from the reduction in TNR services in 2019 by Animal Services and its termination of all TNR services in May 2022. It has recently reinstated TNR, but on a very limited basis, relying heavily on rescues and volunteers to transport cats outside of the county for spay and neuter services. Since the reduction of TR service began, the cities served by Animal Services have been experiencing an increasing cat population that will continue to grow exponentially unless a robust TNR program is established and maintained.
Reinstating low cost spay/neuter and vaccination services is also essential. Pet overpopulation results in unwanted animals that are abandoned or otherwise become strays. Unvaccinated animals spread disease. The economy and the shortage of vets has made it difficult for many people to neuter and vaccinate their pets. The reinstatement of low cost spay and neuter services will greatly reduce animal suffering. It will also reduce the number of animals brought to the shelter, which will increase the live release rate. Fewer animals in the shelter increases an animal's probability of adoption and the shelter's ability to house the animal. This effect was recognized by John Cicirelli when he was Assistant Director of Public Works. The following is his quote from a May 31, 2016, article in sanjoseinside entitled "San Jose Councilman Proposes No-Kill Shelter":
"One of the most significant contributors to our high save rate has been preventing animals from being born through low cost and free spay-neuter services. We have learned that this is one of the best ways to invest in our community and achieve our goal of reducing the number of stray animals."
The shelter needs a full time animal behaviorist. A dedicated position would enable the shelter to structure enrichment, socialization, behavior modification and offset the stressful conditions of the shelter environment on the animals. An animal behaviorist would also provide post-adoption support and owner-retention programs, increasing positive outcomes.
The challenges facing the shelter will not be resolved overnight. The proposed budget increases represent positive forward movement, but much more needs to be done. Animal Services requires oversight at the City Council level, and your participation in making sure Animal Services meets the current and future needs of the community is vital.
I urge you to approve the proposed increases for Animal Services.
Please add my comments to the public record and distribute to the Mayor and City Councilmembers.
Sincerely,
Sent from my iPhone
This message is from outside the City email system. Do not open links or attachments from untrusted sources.
FW: Fiscal 2023-2024 Animal Care & Services ("Animal Services") Budget City Clerk < [email protected]>
Tue 6/20/2023 12:59 PM
To:Agendadesk <[email protected]>
-----Original Message----
From: Forouzan Asef
Sent: Tuesday, June 20, 2023 12:38 PM
To: City Clerk < [email protected]>
Cc: The Office of Mayor Matt Mahan <[email protected]>; District1 < [email protected]>; District2 < [email protected]>; District3 < [email protected]>; District4 < [email protected]>; District5 < District @sanjoseca.gov>; District 6 < [email protected]>; District/ < District/@sanjoseca.gov>; Districts < [email protected]>; District9 < [email protected]>; District 10 < [email protected]> Subject: Re: Fiscal 2023- 2024 Animal Care & Services ("Animal Services") Budget [You don't often get email from Learn why this is important at https://aka.ms/LearnAboutSenderldentification J
[External Email]
Dear City Clerk:
I am a San Jose resident and am writing to state my strong support for the increases for Animal Services in the Mayor and City Manager's proposed Fiscal Year 2023-2024 budget. I appreciate how these increases recognize the challenges faced by Animal Services and respond to concerns voiced by the community over the past year.
Converting the temporary overstrength position of Supervisor Shelter Operations to permanent status, and adding more full-time positions, a night shift and a dedicated senior resource for facilities repair and maintenance will improve the shelter's ability to provide greatly needed support to our community and increase live outcomes for the animals.
The night shift is a critical addition, as it will enable the shelter to provide care for underage kittens, the highest volume and most vulnerable animals at the shelter. The allocation of monies for support of adoption and rescue outcomes is also essential. It will allow more animals in need to move to organizations that can provide the specialized care necessary for such animals to be placed for adoption.
While the proposed budget for Animal Services represents substantial progress, I believe the following matters are still in need of additional funding and attention.
The data produced and used by the shelter to direct its operations, measure its performance and predict future community needs is incomplete and/or inaccurate. The shelter needs a dedicated IT Business Analyst to review and develop systems and processes for the collection, use, and transparency of data, including the collection of critical missing data integral to development of a long-term strategy, such as the number of animals turned away at intake and the reasons admission was denied.
Expanding and staffing the Trap, Neuter & Return (TNR) program for community cats is mandatory. During May the shelter accepted 743 kittens and as of June 6th was holding 340 kittens, representing the majority of the animals in the shelter. The shelter, rescue organizations, and fosters are at or over capacity and animals are being turned away. Friendly community kittens are being found throughout San Jose; there is no place for them to go and it is still the beginning of "kitten season".
This problem results directly from the reduction in TNR services in 2019 by Animal Services and its termination of all TNR services in May 2022. It has recently reinstated TNR, but on a very limited basis, relying heavily on rescues and volunteers to transport cats outside of the county for spay and neuter services. Since the reduction of TR service began, the cities served by Animal Services have been experiencing an increasing cat population that will continue to grow exponentially unless a robust TNR program is established and maintained.
Reinstating low cost spay/neuter and vaccination services is also essential. Pet overpopulation results in unwanted animals that are abandoned or otherwise become strays. Unvaccinated animals spread disease. The economy and the shortage of vets has made it difficult for many people to neuter and vaccinate their pets. The reinstatement of low cost spay and neuter services will greatly reduce animal suffering. It will also reduce the number of animals brought to the shelter, which will increase the live release rate. Fewer animals in the shelter increases an animal's probability of adoption and the shelter's ability to house the animal. This effect was recognized by John Cicirelli when he was Assistant Director of Public Works. The following is his quote from a May 31, 2016, article in sanjoseinside entitled "San Jose Councilman Proposes No-Kill Shelter":
"One of the most significant contributors to our high save rate has been preventing animals from being born through low cost and free spay-neuter services. We have learned that this is one of the best ways to invest in our community and achieve our goal of reducing the number of stray animals."
The shelter needs a full time animal behaviorist. A dedicated position would enable the shelter to structure enrichment, socialization, behavior modification and offset the stressful conditions of the shelter environment on the animals. An animal behaviorist would also provide post-adoption support and owner-retention programs, increasing positive outcomes.
The challenges facing the shelter will not be resolved overnight. The proposed budget increases represent positive forward movement, but much more needs to be done. Animal Services requires oversight at the City Council level, and your participation in making sure Animal Services meets the current and future needs of the community is vital.
I urge you to approve the proposed increases for Animal Services.
Please add my comments to the public record and distribute to the Mayor and City Councilmembers.
Sincerely,
Sent from my iPhone
This message is from outside the City email system. Do not open links or attachments from untrusted sources.
FW: Fiscal 2023- 2024 Animal Care & Services ("Animal Services") Budget City Clerk < [email protected]>
Tue 6/20/2023 3:50 PM
To:Agendadesk <[email protected]>
-----Original Message-----
From: Melinda Webster <
Sent: Tuesday, June 20, 2023 3:20 PM
To: CouncilMeeting <[email protected]>
Cc: City Clerk < [email protected]>
Subject: Re: Fiscal 2023- 2024 Animal Care & Services ("Animal Services") Budget [Some people who received this message don't often get email from Learn why this is important at https://aka.ms/LearnAboutSenderldentification] [External Email]
Dear Mayor Mahan and City Councilmembers,
1 am a San Jose resident and am writing to state my strong support for the increases for Animal Services in the Mayor and City Manager's proposed Fiscal Year 2023-2024 budget. I appreciate how these increases recognize the challenges faced by Animal Services and respond to concerns voiced by the community over the past year.
Converting the temporary overstrength position of Supervisor Shelter Operations to permanent status, and adding more full-time positions, a night shift and a dedicated senior resource for facilities repair and maintenance will improve the shelter's ability to provide greatly needed support to our community and increase live outcomes for the animals.
The night shift is a critical addition, as it will enable the shelter to provide care for underage kittens, the highest volume and most vulnerable animals at the shelter. The allocation of monies for support of adoption and rescue outcomes is also essential. It will allow more animals in need to move to organizations that can provide the specialized care necessary for such animals to be placed for adoption.
While the proposed budget for Animal Services represents substantial progress, I believe the following matters are still in need of additional funding and attention.
The data produced and used by the shelter to direct its operations, measure its performance and predict future community needs is incomplete and/or inaccurate. The shelter needs a dedicated IT Business Analyst to review and develop systems and processes for the collection, use, and transparency of data, including the collection of critical missing data integral to development of a long-term strategy, such as the number of animals turned away at intake and the reasons admission was denied.
Expanding and staffing the Trap, Neuter & Return (TNR) program for community cats is mandatory. During May the shelter accepted 743 kittens and as of June 6th was holding 340 kittens, representing the majority of the animals in the shelter. The shelter, rescue organizations, and fosters are at or over capacity and animals are being turned away. Friendly community kittens are being found throughout San Jose; there is no place for them to go and it is still the beginning of "kitten season".
This problem results directly from the reduction in TNR services in 2019 by Animal Services and its termination of all TNR services in May 2022. It has recently reinstated TNR, but on a very limited basis, relying heavily on rescues and volunteers to transport cats outside of the county for spay and neuter services. Since the reduction of TNR service began, the cities served by Animal Services have been experiencing an increasing cat population that will continue to grow exponentially unless a robust TNR program is established and maintained.
Reinstating low cost spay/neuter and vaccination services is also essential. Pet overpopulation results in unwanted animals that are abandoned or otherwise become strays. Unvaccinated animals spread disease. The economy and the shortage of vets has made it difficult for many people to neuter and vaccinate their pets. The reinstatement of low cost spay and neuter services will greatly reduce animal suffering. It will also reduce the number of animals brought to the shelter, which will increase the live release rate. Fewer animals in the shelter increases an animal's probability of adoption and the shelter's ability to house the animal. This effect was recognized by John Cicirelli when he was Assistant Director of Public Works. The following is his quote from a May 31, 2016, article in sanjoseinside entitled "San Jose Councilman Proposes No-Kill Shelter":
"One of the most significant contributors to our high save rate has been preventing animals from being born through low cost and free spay-neuter services. We have learned that this is one of the best ways to invest in our community and achieve our goal of reducing the number of stray animals."
The shelter needs a full time animal behaviorist. A dedicated position would enable the shelter to structure enrichment, socialization, behavior modification and offset the stressful conditions of the shelter environment on the animals. An animal behaviorist would also provide post-adoption support and owner-retention programs, increasing positive outcomes.
The challenges facing the shelter will not be resolved overnight. The proposed budget increases represent positive forward movement, but much more needs to be done. Animal Services requires oversight at the City Council level, and your participation in making sure Animal Services meets the current and future needs of the community is vital.
I urge you to approve the proposed increases for Animal Services.
Sincerely,
Melinda Webster
This message is from outside the City email system. Do not open links or attachments from untrusted sources.