Agenda Item: 8
CITY OF SANTA CLARITA
AGENDA REPORT
CONSENT CALENDAR
CITY MANAGER APPROVAL:
DATE: July 8, 2025
SUBJECT: 2025 ANIMAL CARE GRANT AWARD RECOMMENDATIONS
DEPARTMENT: Community Development
PRESENTER: Tracy Sullivan
RECOMMENDED ACTION
City Council:
1. Approve the 2025 Animal Care Grant Committee’s funding recommendations in a total amount not to exceed $50,000, as shown in Table A.
2. Direct staff to execute Grant Agreements with the non-profit organizations approved for funding.
3. Authorize the City Manager or designee to execute all documents, subject to City Attorney approval.
BACKGROUND
The Animal Care Grant Program (Program) was established in 2023 at the direction of the City Council to strengthen the capacity of local 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations and supplement services being provided through the Castaic Animal Care Center to reduce animal overpopulation. The Program receives an annual allocation of $50,000, contingent upon the annual budget process, with priority given to projects that focus on spay and neuter initiatives.
The 2025 grant cycle marks the second year of the Program’s history. The application period was open from April 1 to May 15, 2025, and Program guidelines allowed each eligible non-profit to apply for up to $10,000 each. To apply, interested non-profit organizations were required to complete an online application and submit verifying documentation of their 501(c)(3) status.
In order to advertise the Program, City of Santa Clarita (City) staff conducted various outreach efforts, including a press release, multiple social media posts, direct outreach to eligible non- profit organizations, and a public information session held on April 8.
The City received a total of eight grant applications, which were reviewed and rated by a Grants Committee (Committee), composed of Mayor Pro Tem Laurene Weste, Councilmember Jason Gibbs, and three City staff members.
In alignment with Program goals, the Committee prioritized applications that expand spay/neuter services. Below is a summary of the funding recommendations:
TABLE A
Recommended for Funding
Non-profit
Organization
Proposed Program Amount
1 Santa Clarita
Valley TNR
Phase 1 (Month 1-6): Provide Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR)
services for stray cats in the City. Funding will support spay/neuter surgeries, microchipping, medications, trapping equipment, shelter, food, and medical supplies.
$10,000
Santa Clarita
Valley TNR
Phase 2 (Month 7-12): If 100 TNR surgeries are completed and all Program terms are met during Phase 1, the City may approve an additional $8,000 to continue the project within a one-year period.
$8,000
2 Doggy Smiles
Rescue
Provide TNR services for stray cats. Funding will support spay/neuter surgeries, microchipping, medications, trapping equipment, shelter, food, and medical supplies.
$10,000
3 Sunny Day Acres Build canine enclosures to provide additional housing and increase capacity to rescue dogs from Castaic Animal Care Center.
$10,000
4 Golden Years
Dog Sanctuary
Rescue senior dogs or cats from the Castaic Animal Care Center.
$4,000
5 Furever Purr
Rescue
Provide hospice care for senior cats, cats with special needs, and cats labeled “feral” or “unadoptable.”
$4,000
6 Placerita Canyon
Nature Center
Association
Provide a new replacement washer and dryer, and funding to support the medical needs of wildlife under their care. $4,000
Total $50,000
Not Recommended for Funding
7 The WRARE
Foundation
Rescue Fear/Anxiety/Stress dogs from the Castaic Animal Care Center and fund their veterinary care, shelter, food, and rehabilitation.
8 Loyal Friesians
Horse Rescue
Build shade structures for rescued horses.
Upon approval of the recommended actions, City staff will execute Grant Agreements with the non-profit organizations approved for funding, obtain receipts and documentation for oversight and accountability, and collect Final Reports detailing the overall program impact.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION
Other action as determined by the City Council.
FISCAL IMPACT
Adequate funds are available in the Animal Care Grant expenditure account 1003203-517101.