Contra Costa County Grand Jury • 2016-2017 • Agency Response
Response to: Animal Shelter Services in Antioch and Contra Costa County

Contra Costa County Civil Grand Jury Report No. 1708

Published: August 09, 2017 10 pages
Ver PDF original

Findings and Recommendations 13 findings

F1
The Shelter has made improvements based on ARF recommendations.
Related Recommendations (1)
R1
The Council should consider finding sustainable funding for all of the changes recommended by ARF to the Shelter, including those that the Shelter has already implemented.
F2
The Shelter requires additional funds to implement the changes recommended by ARF.
Related Recommendations (1)
R2
The Council should consider staggering the Shelter’s hours of operation to include evening hours one day per week to permit those with daytime commitments the opportunity to visit the Shelter.
F3
The Shelter is not open to the public after 5:00 p.m.
Related Recommendations (1)
R3
If no qualified Antioch Shelter volunteer is available for this position, the Council should consider identifying funds to create a new position for a Volunteer/Rescue Coordinator.
F4
The Shelter currently lacks a Rescue and Volunteer Coordinator.
Related Recommendations (1)
R4
The Council should consider directing the Shelter to develop and implement strategies to enlist more volunteers.
F5
Based on the “Guidelines for Standards of Care in Animal Shelters,” authored by the Association of Shelter Veterinarians, the Shelter lacks enough ACAs and volunteers to help with the current population of animals.
Related Recommendations (1)
R5
The Council should consider directing the Shelter to establish written policies and procedures consistent with those used by ARF regarding animal care.
F6
The Shelter does not have written policies and procedures regarding animal care.
Related Recommendations (1)
R6
The Council should consider authorizing the Shelter to hire an experienced full- time Director of Animal Services and identify the funds to do so.
F7
The Shelter lacks a Director of Animal Services.
Related Recommendations (1)
R7
The Council should consider requiring all permanent staff be fully trained on Chameleon software as soon as reasonably possible.
F8
The Shelter does not use the Chameleon software program to document the cost of running the Shelter. Contra Costa County 2016-2017 Grand Jury Report 1708 Grand Jury Reports are posted at http://www.cc-courts.org/grandjury
Related Recommendations (1)
R8
The Shelter should consider posting photos of all animals on its website within 24 hours of intake.
F9
The Shelter website does not feature photos of found animals or animals available for adoption or rescue.
Related Recommendations (1)
R9
The County Board of Supervisors should consider funding a study to examine the feasibility of establishing a County animal shelter in east County. Response: The recommendation will not be implemented because it is not warranted. The 2009 Citygate report and the grand jury have cited many factors other than jurisdiction issues contributing to the problems that exist at the Antioch Shelter. The City of Antioch appears to be taking corrective measures to address those problems. The City and the County have worked cooperatively to address issues of jurisdiction and will continue to do so.
F10
The County does not operate an animal shelter in east County. Response: The respondent agrees with the finding.
Related Recommendations (1)
R10
The County Board of Supervisors and the Antioch City council should consider negotiating an MOU whereby the Shelter agrees to accept all animals. Those that are identified as non-city of Antioch animals should be regularly picked up and transported to a County shelter by County Animal Control Officers. Response: The recommendation will not be implemented because it is not warranted. The Antioch Shelter and CCAS already cooperate, via pick-up and transport, to address the issue of animal jurisdiction. Additionally, the Antioch Shelter may continue to refer citizens who wish to surrender an animal from outside the City of Antioch to the appropriate County shelter or advise them to confine the animals to a safe area in their home where a CCAS officer can pick the animal up and take it to the appropriate shelter. Contact: Jim Mellander Foreperson 925-608-2621 Contra Costa County Grand Jury Report 1708 Animal Shelter Services in Antioch and Contra Costa County TO: The Antioch City Council and the County Board of Supervisors
F11
People from cities, other than Antioch, drop off animals at the shelter rather than driving them to a County Shelter. Response: The respondent disagrees partially with the finding. Although non-Antioch residents may drop off animals at the Antioch Shelter, Contra Costa County Animal Services (CCAS) will, when notified by the Shelter, pick up those animals and transfer them to the Martinez shelter. Similarly, people sometimes bring animals from or found within Antioch city limits to the County’s shelters.
Related Recommendations (1)
R11
The Council should consider directing the Shelter to collaborate with all accredited rescue groups to maximize rescues and adoptions.
F12
and recommendations R9 and R10. The Antioch City Counsel is required to respond to finding F1 to F13 and recommendations R1 to R8, and R10 to R12. BOARD OF SUPERVISORS’ RESPONSE FINDINGS – California Penal Code Section 933.05(a) requires a response to the designated findings of the Grand Jury.
Related Recommendations (1)
R12
The Council should consider authorizing the selection of an independent community-based animal advisory group to routinely visit the Shelter to monitor animal welfare and Shelter conditions.
F13
No formal community-based advisory group monitors animal welfare or Shelter conditions and provides reports to the Council regarding same.
No recommendations for this finding