Animal Control in Monterey County*

The lack of signage on Hitchcock Road poses a safety hazard for traffic approaching the turn to the animal shelters from South Main Street. Response: The City disagrees with this Finding insomuch as it concludes that the lack of signage "poses a safety hazard." Additional signage may assist visitors to the shelter with respect to its location, but the Final Report does not contain any analysis or study by a licensed traffic engineer with experience in such matters and with qualifications to make conclusions with respect to traffic safety. Without adequate study by a licensed traffic engineer concluding that the lack of signage poses a safety hazard, the City cannot agree with this Finding. Honorable Stephanie Hulsey Re: City of Salinas's Responses to Monterey County Civil Grand Jury

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 placement of lost and unclaimed animals. When considering the two shelters as totally separate entities both statements are relevant and appropriate. However, fundamental difference may impede the consolidation process. Response: The City disagrees with this finding in that the fundamental differences in the purpose statements of each entity are not significant enough to impede the consolidation process. Each agency focuses on both statements when services and programs are reviewed.

The Pilot Project will impose greater responsibility on the County Operations Manager and the Animal Services Administrator. Response: The City agrees with this finding.

The difference in staffing of Animal Control Officers is considered reasonable because the County is patrolling a much larger geographic area than the City. Response: The City agrees with this finding as stated; however, both agencies have insufficient staffing levels to meet the needs of the represented jurisdictions.

The City provides services for an animal population 38% greater with an overall staff that is 39% smaller than the County. Response: The City agrees with this finding.

It is unlikely that animal care and maintenance at the City shelter could be maintained at an appropriate level without the volunteer program. Response: The City agrees with this finding. Honorable Stephanie Hulsey Re: City of Salinas's Responses to Monterey County Civil Grand Jury

County Animal Control personnel have career ladders providing greater promotional opportunities than the City. Response: The City agrees with this finding.

Both shelters have the physical capacity to shelter more animals. Response: The City agrees with this finding; however, without adequate staffing to clean, feed, medicate and otherwise care for the animals, it is unwise to keep the shelter at full capacity at all times. As outlined in this report, Salinas does not currently have the proper amount of kennel staff for the current number of animals housed each day. To maximize the full capacity of the shelter, there would need to be an increase of kennel staff.

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. Response: The City agrees with this Finding.

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. Response: The City agrees with this finding.

If successful, the combination of services should result in greater effectiveness, efficiency and consistency of procedures for both the City and the County. Kesponse: The City agrees with this finding.

The MOA and resulting Pilot Program are positive steps toward consolidation of Animal Control Services. Honorable Stephanie Hulsey Re: City of Salinas's Responses to Monterey County Civil Grand Jury Response: The City agrees with this finding.

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. Response: The City agrees with this finding.