Sonoma County Grand Jury
• 2024-2025
• Agency Response
Response to:
Animal Services in Sonoma County
Rea and E0n$i
⚠️ Translation Notice: This content has been automatically translated. The original English text is the official version. Translation may contain errors.
⚠️ Este contenido ha sido traducido automáticamente. El texto original en inglés es la versión oficial. La traducción puede contener errores.
Note: Missing finding numbers detected: F4, F5
Findings and Recommendations 5 findings
F1
Page 2
Failure by the county and its nine cities to adopt recommendations in the 2012 DHS Animal Services Report has left Sonoma County animal service agencies operating without shared standards, communication channels, data sharing or oversight. . The Town of Windsor was not aware of the 2012 Department of Health Services Animal Services Report. Therefore, no action was taken.
Related Recommendations (1)
R1
Page 3
By November 1,2025, the Board of Supervisors will direct DHS to establish an Animal Services Task Force comprising county, city, and shelter representatives to revisit the 2012 DHS Animal Services Report and recommend a governance structure for animal seryices that will: 1) provide county-wide oversight to ensure compliance with State Law; 2) standardize fees and engage a common licensing vendor to enhance public health and safety, licensing rates and revenue, and; 3) achieve economic efficiencies through shared resources. (Fl, F3, F4-FG and F9-
F2
Page 2
Services provided to the four Sonoma County cities by North Bay Animal Services are non-compliant either with state Iaws or industry standards for the care of shelter animals as specified in its contracts. a The Town of Windsor will work closely with North Bay Animal Services (NBAS) to ensure the animal shelter conditions follow state and industry standards. Therefore, the Town of Windsor has established a quarterly recurring meeting with representatives of NBAS. The recurring quarterly meeting will take place at the Petaluma Animal Shelter located at 840 Hopper Street, Petaluma, to assess and evaluate the shelte/s condition and NBAS operations for compliance.
Related Recommendations (1)
R2
Page 3
By January 1, 2026, each of Sonoma County's 9 cities wil! delegate one or more representatives to participate in the county-wide Animal Services Task Force convened by DHS. (Fl). o The Town of Windsor will comply with the request by appointing a primary and secondary member of staff to participate in the proposed county-wide Animal Services Task Force, within the timeframe requested by the County of Sonoma Board of Supervisors. 2
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. The Town of Windsor received a copy of the NBAS Disaster Plan and Evacuation Plan, meeting the requirements requested in the Town's Animal Services Request for Proposal. NBAS and other animal service providers are represented by the Department of Health Services and participate in weekly Operational Calls with the Department of Emergency Management (DEM). A representative will represent countywide animal services in the County of Sonoma Emergency Operation Center, therefore coordinating efforts and needs during a county-wide disaster.
No recommendations for this finding
F6
Page 2
Having multiple different fee structures for animal licenses and services is confusing to the public and complicates billing and collection of license fees and fines. a A fee structure is established based on the operations. There are no regulations established to have fixed fees for animal care services.
Related Recommendations (1)
R6
Page 4
By September 30,2025, each of the cities that contracts with NBAS will require quarterly reports that include data and performance criteria sufficient to evaluate compliance with its contract and all relevant laws. (F2, F111. o The Town of Windsor has established a quarterly recurring meeting with representatives of NBAS, and at such time, NBAS will submit to the Town a quarterly report reflecting the prior 3-month period. J
F7
Page 3
Failure to achieve high levels of licensing in all government jurisdictions and provide access to shared information undermines mandated rabies control, makes it more difficult to return lost pets, and results in a loss of revenue. a The Town of Windsor structured the agreement to allow the vendor to offset expenses by retaining the revenue received by licensing, adoptions, and other services. Town of Windsor Response to Recommendations
No recommendations for this finding