Animal Control Services

The ACS is constrained due to ever present budgetary limitations and could generate funds within the department (e.g. license compliance) if provided an approved budget to properly staff the ACS operation.

The Animal Service Manager does not have a backup Supervisor to perform the duties as needed. There is an open position for someone who left to accept higher pay in an adjoining county.

A study conducted by the Calaveras County Human Resources Department showed Calaveras Animal Shelter employees received 15% less pay than adjoining counties. Based on the above-mentioned study, the Board of Supervisors in January 2018 moved to approved Animal Control Officers to receive an “Equity Adjustment” of 5% on 3/3/18 and an additional 5% on 9/29/18 in addition to the negotiated COLA. Once the increase in higher pay is received there will remain a 5% deficiency compared to adjoining counties.

The existing aging and obsolete animal shelter was never designed to be an animal shelter, is small and outdated (built in the 1950’s) to adequately meet the daily services and operational needs for animal housing. The layout of the facility includes five separate buildings and a corral area and is inadequate to promote efficient and productive 17 operation of ACS. Due to the lack of fencing there is no secondary containment on any of the 6.93 acres. This creates an unsafe condition for staff, animals and the public.

A partnership with the Humane Society, based on a 2016 preliminary memorandum of understanding (MOU) to build a 6.93 acre, jointly operated Animal Shelter, fell through. The Humane Society Board lost faith in the County’s ability to provide a yearly funding amount for the existing ACS. There was a slower than expected progress on the ACS discussions which is the reason for the ACS deal falling through. This should have never happened. The partnership MOU should have moved forward in a timely manner. A partnership with the Humane Society would have streamlined services and expenses for a new facility.

In researching past Grand Jury reports this year’s Grand Jury found that a new facility has been recommended to the Board of Supervisors for nearly 20 years.

Instead of enforcing the animal laws, the priority of ACS has been more on the day-to- day care of animals due to the lack of staffing. For example, the level of compliance in obtaining domestic pet licensing is at approximately 22%. The Grand Jury finds this is an area where revenue could be generated with proper staffing. In addition, there is inadequate staffing overall to meet the daily services and operational needs. The shortage of qualified staff lowers the efficiency, effectiveness and productivity of the department including reduced morale.

During our tour at Calaveras ACS on February 1, 2018 there was mention of considering an outside agency to conduct a feasibility study to create a ballot measure for increasing the ACS budget.

The current vehicles are in poor condition, inadequate and not functional for the ACS needs. One has very high mileage (over 100,000 miles), and one is currently out of service. All vehicles, when received, have been used vehicles and not designed for animal control according to interviewed representatives. At the February 1, 2018 ACS meeting, the Grand Jury was informed the County Board of Supervisors allotted $40,000 to purchase a new specialized vehicle.

There are industry standards established such as found in “Guidelines for Standards of Care in Animal Shelters,” 2010, or similar guidelines.

The ACS does have a web site and in addition uses Facebook as a social media source.

Clear policy and procedures are in place and strictly followed by staff and volunteers. Day-to-day operations are performed at a high standard under sub-standard conditions without adequate facilities and equipment.

The nonprofit Friends of the Calaveras Animal Shelter (FOCAS) has provided funds to the ACS and has donated equipment and volunteer hours to help keep the ACS effective. 18

The ACS has a ninety percent (90%) no-kill rate.