📋
Extracted from Consolidated Report
This investigation was originally published as part of a larger consolidated report containing multiple investigations. View the consolidated PDF for the complete document.
Yolo County Grand Jury
• 2023-2024
Moving Forward Photo courtesy of juror Yolo County Civil Grand Jury Yolo County Animal Services Moving Forward
⚠️ Translation Notice: This content has been automatically translated. The original English text is the official version. Translation may contain errors.
⚠️ Este contenido ha sido traducido automáticamente. El texto original en inglés es la versión oficial. La traducción puede contener errores.
Findings 8 findings
F1
Funding for Animal Services has not kept pace with Yolo County population growth and the attending increase in requests for services.
F2
The decision to build additional veterinary space in the southeastern portion of the Probation Ancillary building near the existing shelter is acknowledged as a positive step in the piecemeal approach to incremental improvement of services.
F3
The Grand Jury’s email and in-person requests for documents addressed to leadership at the Yolo County Animal Services received no reply or greatly delayed responses for the requested material. The Grand Jury finds there are shortcomings of the leadership and management skills at the shelter.
F4
Relations with both internal and external partners at the shelter became contentious resulting in ineffective and diminished delivery of services.
F5
Each department within Yolo County Animal Services (kennel/field/medical services) has a supervisor, except for the front office. This may lead to fragmentation of services and inefficiencies throughout Yolo County Animal Services.
F6
With the change in oversight from the Yolo County Sheriff to the Department of Community Services, the Grand Jury could not determine how weapons are stored when not in use by the Field Officers.
F7
The Grand Jury could not determine how firearm certification or any other specialized certification needed to qualify as a Field Officer is achieved in light of the transition from the Yolo County Sheriff’s Department.
F8
The Grand Jury could not identify any formal facility inspection process. RECOMMENDATIONS The Grand Jury recommends the following:
Recommendations 8
-
R1The Yolo County Board of Supervisors should increase funding for Yolo County Animal Services to keep pace with Yolo County population growth and the attending increase in requests for services.
-
R2The Yolo County Animal Services should continue development of additional veterinary space in the former Probation Ancillary building.
-
R3The Department of Community Services should provide for a management/leadership consultant to improve leadership skills at the Yolo County Animal Services.
-
R4The Department of Community Services should consider reviewing and modifying the Yolo County Animal Services leadership job descriptions to address the shortfall in communications.
-
R5The Department of Community Services should request that the Yolo County Board of Supervisors authorize a change in the Animal Services organization structure to appoint a director of operations who would supervise the front office staff or appoint a front office staff supervisor. This position would report directly to the Director of Animal Services.
-
R6The Department of Community Services should establish a policy by September 1, 2024, for how weapons are secured after hours.
-
R7The Department of Community Services should establish by September 1, 2024, a policy defining how Field Officers will achieve firearm and any other certification to qualify as a Field Officer.
-
R8The Yolo County Board of Supervisors should hire a consultant for an evaluation of the facility and workflow optimization and how it can be improved. COMMENDATION The many local partner organizations and volunteers who support the Yolo County Animal Services should be commended for their hard work and dedication to improve the current situation at the shelter. The formation of the Yolo Animal Services Planning Agency, a Joint Powers Authority, is broadly acknowledged as successful. REQUIRED RESPONSES Pursuant to Penal Code section(s) 933 and 933.05, the Grand Jury requests responses to its Findings and Recommendations as follows: ▪ Yolo County Board of Supervisors
Commendations 1
-
CM1The many local partner organizations and volunteers who support the Yolo County Animal Services should be commended for their hard work and dedication to improve the current situation at the shelter. The formation of the Yolo Animal Services Planning Agency, a Joint Powers Authority, is broadly acknowledged as successful.