2025-26 Yolo County Civil Grand Jury Report: Continuing Progress Animal Services

Recommendations 10

• R1
  The Yolo County Board of Supervisors should increase funding for YCAS to keep pace with Yolo County population growth and the number of animals received at the facility.
• R2
  The Department of Community Services should prioritize planning, expedite permitting coordination, and the completion of infrastructure for the “Clinic in a Can” to be operational to provide a more modern facility for spay/neuter operations
• R3
  YCAS staff should implement the new Policy and Operations Manual, currently the manual preparation is in progress and expected for completion in Mid-April. As of May 12, 2026, it has yet to be released. YCAS staff should implement comprehensive training of staff and volunteers on the manual
• R4
  The YCAS facility should schedule an adequate number of paid employees working on the weekend, to serve the community for animal adoptions, increase adoptions, and reduce the length of stay for animals.
• R5
  YCAS should expand weekend and evening hours, opening on Sunday, with appropriate YCAS staff, supported by volunteers, and expand some evening hours, as appropriate, particularly in the Summer, to increase the ability for adoptions to occur more quickly. The facility should consider closing to the public on a weekday, rather than Sundays.
• R6
  YCAS should develop better ways to foster interaction among volunteers and between volunteers and staff. Examples may include: • Providing a regular newsletter aimed at both staff and volunteers, that presents information about the shelter, staff and policy changes, and volunteer activities. • Maintaining a suggestion box, paper or online, that can be used anonymously • Conducting regular meetings of staff and volunteers who perform the same duties, e.g., dog walkers, kennel cleaners, kitten socializers. These may include a combination of general discussion and volunteer training. • Encouraging use of the WhatsApp channel by both volunteers and staff to keep everyone updated on latest information.
• R7
  YCAS should develop a program to formally recognize volunteers and their achievements. Examples based on efforts that have been successful for other similar programs include: • Annual volunteer appreciation events. • Recognition of volunteer milestones such as hours worked, years of volunteering, or becoming a Purple Paw. These could include a certificate, a pin, or mention in a newsletter or social media. • Recognition of personal milestones such as birthdays, graduations, weddings, etc. • Photo Identification, laminated badges with lanyards for those who work directly with the public. • Showcasing individual volunteers on social media, in newsletter, or at adoption events. • Providing volunteers with free or at-cost items such as T-shirts or caps. • Nominating volunteers for local volunteering awards, such as the Yolo Community Foundation’s Philanthropy Awards. • Having an on-site bulletin board for posting information for and about volunteers.
• R8
  YCAS should verify that employees who are also serving as volunteers are not in conflict with the Fair Labor Standards Act.
• R9
  YCAS should work to include the city of West Sacramento in education and outreach programs. Suggestions include: • Work with the city and the private sector to hold spay/neuter and vaccination clinics in suitable locations in the city, e.g., Sutter Health Park parking lots, and local schools. • Work with local animal-related businesses, restaurants and outdoor venues to hold adoption events. • Work with local schools and colleges to recruit volunteers. • Have Animal Control officers participate in the Arthur Turner Library Trucktopia which showcases public & private sector vehicles. • Develop outreach programs to recruit people willing to foster animals. • Explore partnering with professional baseball teams, e.g., River Cats and/or Athletics on educational and other outreach events.
• R10
  Identify opportunities to do education and outreach in rural areas. This could include: • Identify local events where YCAS or volunteers could participate and provide educational materials. • Identify local locations for posting educational materials, such as libraries or post offices. COMMENDATION The partner organizations and volunteers who support the YCAS should be commended for their tireless work and dedication toward improving the current situation at the shelter. The volunteers are often relied upon for the daily needs of the animals which would likely not be met for such things as daily walks. Without the support of the volunteers at the facility and the overall spirit of volunteerism found within the community, the animals would be largely impacted. The shelter management has been successful in obtaining $337,000 in grant funding toward the “Clinic in a Can” program to facilitate veterinary care at the shelter. The “Clinic in a Can” has now been delivered and will include a surgery suite, recovery pad, wet table, exhaust fan. That said, prior to use, the “Clinic in a Can” still needs to be installed at the site, including the installation of necessary infrastructure, which YCAS is facilitating in concert with the Department of Community Services. The 2024-2024 Grand Jury found that the shelter’s process for signing up new volunteers was cumbersome, unresponsive, and ineffective. YCAS has launched a new website, www.yoloshelter.org which includes information about the shelter and adoption, as well as a new online portal for volunteer registration. However, the volunteer registration page does not link to the actual volunteer website, which has much more information about volunteer opportunities, volunteer duties, and volunteer sign up. Hours of operation of the shelter have been extended to 6 p.m. on Tuesdays, per the recent March 24 Board presentation which is helpful. However, as of April 6, 2026, the expanded hours were not reflected on the website which shows the following for adoptions: Monday thru Saturday 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. for dogs, and Monday through Friday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. for cats. The Grand Jury understands that the shelter is overwhelmed and understaffed, and we are thankful to all for the ongoing dedication to the animals by the staff, volunteers, and partners who continue to contribute to the well-being of the animals at the shelter. RESPONSES Recommendations from a Civil Grand Jury are not binding on the public agency being investigated. However, the governing body of any entity must respond to the Civil Grand Jury findings and recommendations of report issuance, and an elected official or agency head must respond to the Civil Grand Jury findings and recommendations The next year’s Civil Grand Jury may then evaluate and report on the required responses. 8.1 REQUIRED RESPONSES Pursuant to Penal Code sections 933(c) and 933.05, the following response are required from the following elected county officials of receipt of this report: Entity Findings Recommendations Yolo County Board of Supervisors F1-8 R1-10 8.2 INVITED RESPONSES The Grand Jury invites the following staff members to respond of receipt of this report: Entity Findings Recommendations Director of Yolo County Department of F1-8 R1-10 Community Services Director of Yolo County Animal Services F1-8 R1-10 Yolo County Administrative Officer F1-2 R1-2 Responses must be submitted to the presiding judge of the Yolo County Superior Court in accordance with the provisions of Penal Code section 933.05. Responses must include the information required by section 933.05. ACRONYMS TERM DESCRIPTION BOARD Yolo County Board of Supervisors CAO Yolo County Administrator’s Office HVAC Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning JPA Joint Powers Authority LAFCO Local Area Formation Commission PAWS Pet Adoption and Wellness Services RFI Notice of Request for Information SPCA Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals TNR Trap-Neuter-Return UCD University of California, Davis, School of Veterinary Medicine YCAS Yolo County Animal Services YASPA Yolo Animal Services Planning Agency 10