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Findings and Recommendations 15 findings
F1
The lack of signage on Hitchcock Road poses a safety hazard for traffic approaching the turn to the animal shelters from South Main Street.
Related Recommendations (1)
R1
The City and the County should determine responsibility14 for signage and install a sign on the northeast side of Hitchcock Road an appropriate distance from the intersection with the shelter access road.
F2
The purpose statements included in the budgets of the two entities are appropriate and recognize the importance of public service. The County statement focuses on rabies control and health concerns. The City statement focuses on return and placement of lost and unclaimed animals. When considering the two shelters as totally separate entities both statements are relevant and appropriate. However, fundamental differences may impede the consolidation process.
Related Recommendations (1)
R2
The City and the County should bring together the entire staff from both shelters for the purpose of developing a single statement of purpose.
F3
The Pilot Project will impose greater responsibility on the County Operations Manager and the Animal Services Administrator.
Related Recommendations (1)
R3
The County should fill the position of Operations Manager.
F4
The difference in staffing of Animal Control Officers is considered reasonable because the County is patrolling a much larger geographic area than the City.
Related Recommendations (1)
R4
The City should review the duties currently assigned to the Police Services Administrator and, if necessary, reduce the scope of currently assigned duties.
F5
The City provides services for an animal population 38% greater with an overall staff that is 39% smaller than the County.
Related Recommendations (1)
R5
As part of the Pilot Project, staffing levels at both facilities be reviewed.
F6
It is unlikely that animal care and maintenance at the City shelter could be maintained at an appropriate level without the volunteer program.
Related Recommendations (1)
R6
Future consolidation should include methodology for current employees of either entity to compete in promotional examinations for vacancies at either shelter.
F7
County Animal Control personnel have career ladders providing greater promotional opportunities than the City.
Related Recommendations (1)
R7
Regardless of the outcome of the MOA and the Pilot Project, City and County staffing levels and procedures should be reviewed
F8
Both shelters have the physical capacity to shelter more animals.
Related Recommendations (1)
R8
Regardless of the outcome of the MOA and Pilot Project, the City and the County should contact incorporated cities which are not currently under contract, to determine if their animal shelter needs could be met by either entity. If so, contracts should be pursued. While both shelters are within the City limits; it is unclear what part of Hitchcock Road is within the City limits, if any. 20
F9
Given that the preponderance of cats coming into the County shelter are strays, and the preponderance of outputs are through euthanasia, it is likely the county would benefit from a more aggressive spay/neuter program coupled with more education and outreach regarding owner responsibility.
Related Recommendations (1)
R9
The County should consider the advantages and disadvantages of a feral cat spay/neuter program, and begin returning neutered feral cats to the field when appropriate.
F10
Access to the Pet Harbor website is much simpler from the City website than from the County website.
Related Recommendations (1)
R10
The County should review and streamline access to the Animal Services website.
F11
Cat cages at the City shelter, which were replaced in 2013-14, provide greater cleaning efficiency and less stress on the cat than the older-style County cat cages. 19
Related Recommendations (1)
R11
When County cat cages require replacement, the County should purchase reconfigurable cages.
F12
If successful, the combination of services at the two shelters should result in less public confusion when looking for a lost animal or preparing to adopt one.
Related Recommendations (1)
R12
A copy of this report should be provided to the Animal Services Administrator.
F13
If successful, the combination of services should result in greater effectiveness, efficiency and consistency of procedures for both the City and County.
Related Recommendations (1)
R13
The Jury requests that copies of both the 5 and 8-month written reports be provided to the Monterey County Civil Grand Jury impaneled as of the date of the release of the reports.
F14
The MOA and resulting Pilot Program are positive steps toward consolidation of Animal Control Services.
Related Recommendations (1)
R14
The Jury requests the County and City invite other incorporated cities to join with them in developing a Joint Powers Agreement or Joint Powers Authority so that a separate legal entity could be established to provide animal control services to all jurisdictions within the County.
F15
Success of the Pilot Project will be dependent, at least in part, on having the day-to-day operations of the separate shelters handled efficiently with sufficient time available to support the efforts of the Animal Services Administrator throughout the period of the Pilot Project.
No recommendations for this finding
Agency Responses 1
Government agencies' official responses to this report's findings and recommendations. Click on a response to see the structured breakdown.