The Department of Animal Services Riverside County/Riverside City Shelter - Pictures

There is a considerable lack of shelter administrative leadership regarding implementation of policies, procedures, and protocols; adversely affecting the overall function of the department.

In June 2003, shelter administration instituted an impound fee for “unaltered” stray dogs without the approval of the Board of Supervisors. This action is in direct violation of Riverside County Ordinance 630.9 Section 11a (1), (2) and (3).

The shelter administration is severely deficient in keeping personnel abreast of local and state mandates pertaining to animals. 2

Shelter administration has been indifferent in addressing internal discord between management and staff.

Numerous grievances and complaints have been filed with Riverside County Human Resources from shelter management and staff, indicating obvious dissension and low morale.

A new work schedule for weekend personnel was implemented by shelter management during mid October 2003. This schedule has reduced the feeding time for all animals resulting in thirty- three (33) hours or longer between feedings. This action is in direct violation of California Penal Code Section 597(e) and California Civil Code Section 1834.

Shelter management does not actively pursue alternative avenues for acquiring grants to supplement projected revenues.

No procedure exists that promotes solicitations for donations from pet food companies, resulting in added financial obligations to the shelters’ services and supplies. At the request of the 2003-2004 Riverside County Grand Jury, an emergency audit was performed by the Office of County Auditor-Controller. The findings and recommendations from said audit are incorporated into this report, as listed in Findings 9-12 and Recommendations 7-10. 9. “Adequate controls have not been established to ensure unclaimed spay and neuter deposits were used in accordance with State Food and Agriculture Code 30503. Review results revealed, general ledger accounts and procedures have not been established to ensure funds that should be restricted for spay and neuter programs were segregated from County General Funds, and that expenditures and unused balances were monitored and reconciled periodically.” “Donations: The Auditor-Controller’s Office identified $11,183 posted to the donation revenue account during fiscal year 2002/03 and an additional $7,200 posted to date for fiscal year 2003-04. Monetary donations range from 5 cents to $500 with the exception of a single $1,000 donation that was made in July

Develop a procedure to review all written suggestions made by the shelter veterinarian and paid staff.

Reinstall time clock.

On August 24, 2003, the shelter’s veterinarian submitted a proposal of areas that needed change for general health improvement of the animals. As of November 2003, none of the veterinarian’s suggestions have been addressed or implemented.

For the month of September 2003, the shelter’s veterinarian was away from the shelter premises. During his absence unregistered kennel personnel were permitted by shelter management to administer medications both orally and by injection, to the animals on a daily basis. This practice is in direct violation of California Business and Professions Code, Section 4826(c) of the Veterinary Practice Act.

Due to an inoperative time clock, hourly employees are responsible for recording their own time sheets. It has become evident that some employees are receiving preferential treatment from shelter management staff.

Employee’s duties that include assignment to euthanize animals must perform this duty for a 30-day period and up to six hours daily, causing substantial emotional stress.

Due to inadequate software and poorly trained personnel, the shelter’s adoption website is not current. Therefore, the majority of the animals pictured on the website will have already been euthanized.

Although shelter management has assigned an employee to contact various rescue organizations, communications are sporadic, resulting in excessive and unnecessary euthanasia.

According to Riverside County Euthanasia Protocol and Procedures, at no time should one animal be euthanized in front of another animal in the euthanasia room. Therefore, a towel or shade must be placed over the face of the holding cages. As of November 13, 2003, there are no shades or curtains being utilized in this area.

Riverside County Euthanasia Protocol and Procedures manual states “Routine euthanasia procedures should be completed by the time the shelter opens for business.” It is evident that on multiple occasions, animals had been euthanized during business 5 hours, contrary to Riverside County Euthanasia Protocol and Procedures.

Records indicate that as many as eighty (80) animals have been euthanized in a single day. A significant number of these euthanasia’s appear to be due to: a) Arbitrary carelessness and indifference with regard to following Riverside County Protocol and Procedures. b) Negligence in not contacting the animal’s owner. c) Overall complacency in promoting adoption programs. d) Disregard for rescue organizations and individual animal sponsors.

Some euthanasia records are inaccurate and incomplete, violating California Food and Agricultural Code Section 32003(b).

The court assigns many people convicted of minor offenses to a work release program. Some offenders are required to work at the animal shelter on a daily basis, performing specific duties such as cleaning kennels and food containers. It appears that on weekends, supervisory personnel are not scheduled to work resulting in “work release” persons: a) Having access to unattended and unsecured hypodermic needles in the receiving area and the euthanasia room. b) Working along with one or two kennel employees, possibly jeopardizing their safety. c) Interacting with the general public. d) Inability to account for animals disappearing from the general kennel population. e) Not being trained in the proper methods of cleaning and disinfecting cages and food containers.

There is no accountability or inventory control of the shelter’s unsecured hypodermic needles, resulting in possible abuse or theft. 6

Air conditioners in the animal compartments on several animal control vehicles are defective. This has resulted in animal control officers having to make frequent returns to the shelter, demonstrating an inefficient use of personnel time and resources.

For a period of one week, the shelter had substituted the cat litter with “Oil Dri”, an absorbent material specified for industrial use only. This product contains respirable crystalline silica, which is known to the State of California to cause cancer.

There is evidence to show that in one instance an elected Riverside City official received preferential treatment from the shelter administration, by having the required return to owner fees reduced for their impounded animal.

In 1998, the Board of Supervisors appointed a group of volunteer citizens as members of the Blue Ribbon Committee. The committee was formed to amend and create county ordinances relating to dogs and cats. There is evidence to show that one member of the committee has been allowed by shelter administration to influence the shelter’s daily operations.