Submittal to the Board of Supervisors County of Riverside, State of California From: Executive Office Submittal Date:*

Recommendations 1

• R2
  All checks are now restrictively endorsed on the day of receipt and deposited to the appropriate accounts within three days of receipt. The Department has requested an exemption from the Auditor's Office to extend the deposit time from one day to three days. The Department of Animal Services receives more than 100 pieces of mail daily. To process the mail and deposit the checks on the same day requires more staff than is available. Recommendation Number 10: "Periodic cash counts of the change funds, and the recently established petty cash fund at the Riverside Shelter, should be performed by a management representative, and signed documentation maintained in department files." Response: -X-The recommendation has been implemented. Provide a summary regarding the implemented action: Periodic cash counts of the change funds and the petty cash fund at the Riverside Shelter will be conducted, signed and maintained in departmental files by the Administrative Services Officer on a quarterly basis. The first cash count was conducted Dec. 24, 2003. Recommendation Number 11: Develop a procedure to review all written suggestions made by the shelter veterinarian and paid staff. Response: -X- The recommendation has been implemented. Provide a summary regarding the implemented action: - 21 DAS policy #100 addresses any staff member who wishes to implement or amend a policy or procedure. There is a suggestion box at the front counter for additional suggestions. A memo was issued to the staff on July 30, 2000 regarding who is authorized to remove the suggestions from the box. Recommendation Number 12: Reinstall time clock. Response: -X- The recommendation has been implemented. Provide a summary regarding the implemented action: The time clock was installed during the week of December 23, 2003. Recommendation Number 13: Shelter administration encourage counseling or group stress training through County Employee Assistance Program (EAP), and reduce the length of time assigned to euthanasia duty. Response: -X-The recommendation has been implemented. Provide a summary regarding the implemented action: The administration has had EAP out to the shelter for this purpose in the past and will continue to encourage staff to use EAP individually. The Department will also continue to have EAP conduct group counseling. The Department can shorten the time span for euthanasia duty; however, the current length of duty was implemented at the kennel staff's request. Recommendation Number 14: Discontinue use of the Adoption Website until Information Technology updates the software, and employees are properly trained to utilize the system. Response: -X-The recommendation has been implemented, The website became operational Jan. 10, 2004. Recommendation Number 15: Comply with Riverside County Euthanasia Protocol and Procedures regarding euthanasia before the shelter opens for business. Response: -X-The recommendation has been implemented. Provide a summary regarding the implemented action: Current policies and procedures are being followed. Recommendation Number 16: Ensure that one shelter supervisor is scheduled to be on the shelter premises during each shift. Response: -X-The recommendation has not been implemented, but will be implemented in the future. Provide a time frame for implementation: Both supervisory positions in the kennels are vacant at this time and active recruitment is being done. While filling those slots will help greatly, it will not provide enough supervisors to cover staff 24/7. Additional supervisory positions budgeted in subsequent years will offer proper coverage. The additional supervisory positions will be included in the FY2004-05 Budget request. Recommendation Number 17: Schedule an adequate number of employees to ensure that shelter animals will be supplied with the proper amount of food and water every twelve hours as required by law. Response: -X-The Recommendation will not be implemented because it is not warranted or is not reasonable. Explain: Per County Counsel, the Department's possession of animals housed in an animal shelter is not the equivalent of "ownership" because such personal property ownership rights (and title thereto) are legally vested in the pre-impoundment individual owner. The Department merely has a custodial or possessory interest at stake with regard to animals in its care, pursuant to its legal obligations as an animal control agency, and is therefore not obligated to adhere to the 12-hour feeding schedule. The shelter veterinarian was consulted regarding this issue and recommends once-a day-feeding for adult animals. For those with special needs (i.e. young, old, infirmed, etc.), additional feedings are provided. -X- The Recommendation will not be implemented because it is not warranted or is not reasonable. Explain: The Department previously consulted with its shelter veterinarian on this subject and was advised that once-a-day feeding was in accordance with sound veterinary medical practice. The recommendation was that once-a- day feeding was adequate for normal adult animals. A major benefit is that kennels remain more sanitary because once-a-day feeding reduces the possibility of excessive waste build-up and, consequently, additional staff time being devoted to waste removal. Animals with special care needs (i.e. young, old, infirm, etc.) are provided additional feedings as medically indicated per the recommendation of the Department's veterinarian. This recommendation appears to refer to a complaint that was made several months ago with regard to the contention that a 12-hour food and water schedule was mandated by the provisions of Penal Code § 597e. The Department consulted closely with County Counsel on this subject and was advised that it did not apply to a government agency such as the County or, for that matter, to other artificial entities such as a corporation. Below is Penal Code § 597e. Any person who impounds, or causes to be impounded in any pound. any domestic animal, shall supply it during such confinement with a sufficient quantity of good and wholesome food and water, and in default thereof, is quilty of a misdemeanor. In case any domestic animal is at any time so impounded and continues to be without necessary food and water for more than 12 consecutive hours, it is lawful for any person, from time to time, as may be deemed necessary, to enter into and upon any pound in which the animal is confined, and supply it with necessary food and water so long as it remains so confined. Such person is not liable for the entry and may collect the reasonable cost of the food and water from the owner of the animal, and the animal is subject to enforcement of a money judgment for the reasonable cost of such food and water. The statutory language contained in Penal Code § 597e clearly illustrates the limited application to individuals where, for example, it states in the beginning of the first paragraph: "Any person who impounds . . . " The statute goes on to make several other "person"