Sonoma County Grand Jury • 2024-2025 • Agency Response
Response to: Animal Services in Sonoma County

Head and Conside ..ate Response to Grand Jury Report Form Title: Animal Services in Sonoma County: Separate and Not

Published: September 12, 2025 3 pages
View Original PDF

Note: Missing finding numbers detected: F4, F5, F6, F7

Findings and Recommendations 3 findings

F2 Page 2
Services provided to the four Sonoma County cities by North Bay Animal Services are non- compliant either with state laws or industry standards for the care of shelter animals as specified in its contracts. Response: The City of Healdsburg clarifies that its contract is with the Humane Society of Sonoma County (HSSC), which subcontracted with NBAS until February 29,2025. HSSC elected to end subcontracting with NBAS and transitioned to a direct contract with Sonoma l, County Animal Services (SCAS) effective March 2025. This move was made in consultation with City of Healdsburg officials.
No recommendations for this finding
F3 Page 2
A lack of coordination between SCAS and NBAS is an obstacle to a fully coordinated implementation of the county-wide disaster response plan for animal evacuations. Response: No Response
No recommendations for this finding
F8 Page 2
Based on SCAS data, uniform adoption of online licensing management through DocuPet (or a comparable vendor) would increase county-wide licensing rates and enhance compliance with state law. Response: The City of Healdsburg has no data that would suggest that an online licensing management system through the identified provider, by itself, would increase county-wide licensing rates.
No recommendations for this finding