HomeMy WebLinkAbout12 - NB-2 - Animal Shelter Services - 3/15/2016CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
MEETING DATE: March 15, 2016 ITEM NUMBER: NB -2
SUBJECT: ANIMAL SHELTER SERVICES
DATE: March 8, 2016
FROM: CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICE / POLICE DEPARTMENT — ADMINISTRATION DIVISION
PRESENTATION BY: GREG SCOTT, LIEUTENANT
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: GREG SCOTT 714-754-5265
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council maintain animal care sheltering services with the City's
current service provider, Orange County Humane Society (OCHS), throughout the approved
contractual agreement which ends January 21, 2018. Staff further recommends that the City
Council direct staff to evaluate potential substantive compliance concerns, and remedy identified
concerns jointly using both OCHS and City resources while evaluating the progress and finalized
terms of the agreement of the County's planned animal shelter in Tustin, tentatively scheduled to
open in October 2017.
BACKGROUND
Term and termination, and compensation and billing of present OCHS agreement
At the December 9, 2008 study session, City Council directed staff to pursue a Professional
Services Agreement with the Orange County Humane Society (OCHS), located at 21632 Newland
Street in Huntington Beach. This agreement was entered into January 20th, 2009 between the
City of Costa Mesa and OCHS. This agreement continued for three (3) years and five (5) months,
ending June 30th, 2012. The City subsequently exercised its option to renew the agreement for
two (2) successive one (1) year periods, ending June 30th, 2014. The City entered into an interim
agreement with OCHS through January 31St, 2015.
In October of 2014, the City of Costa Mesa fulfilled its due diligence obligation seeking an
available service provider prepared to provide animal care services. Only one (1) respondent,
OCHS, responded to the RFP process at that time. The Professional Services Agreement with
OCHS was subsequently renewed.
On January 20, 2015, City Council approved the proposed renewal agreement with OCHS,
continuing service for three (3) years, ending January 21, 2018. The City Council also approved
$75,000 for the first year of services and a three percent (3%) increase for each subsequent year
of services during the agreement: Year -1 $75,000; Year -2 $77,250; Year -3 $79,567.50.
Newport Beach 2015 Audit of OCHS
In December, 2015, the City of Newport Beach completed a performance audit on OCHS, which
was their animal care services provider during that time. The findings enumerated in the City's
audit, in conjunction with decisions by City staff, resulted in Newport Beach terminating its
agreement with OCHS.
The Newport Beach audit noted performance deficiencies in the following categories:
• An absence of a dedicated full-time shelter manager/coordinator.
• Non-compliance of vaccination and parasite control best practices.
• Non-compliance of spay and neutering requirements at adoption, per the California
Food and Agricultural Code.
• No sanitation plan.
• Improper record keeping and billing, per the city's agreement.
• Improper retention (non -remittance) of city's animal impound fees.
• Improper charging of sales tax on adoptions.
Costa Mesa City staff promptly conducted a thorough review of concerns listed in the audit. Staff
found some concerns noted in the audit may have been misrepresented by OCHS operating
conditions. Some of the practices noted in the audit were found to be within compliance, with
regard to Costa Mesa's service agreement with OCHS.
ANALYSIS
The Newport Beach Audit and OCHS Animal Care Services to Costa Mesa
Some issues noted in the Newport Beach audit were in conflict with preliminary findings by Costa
Mesa Animal Control staff during general compliance checks. In addition to the concerns noted in
the Newport Beach audit, additional issues were brought forth for evaluation (e.g. accuracy of
annual Local Rabies Control Activities (LRCA) report data, 501(c)(3) non-profit status
confirmation, confirming observance of sales tax-exempt charges to the public for adoption
services, and observance of various best practices.)
The proper evaluation of some concerns has called for reasonable interpretation of professional
guidelines (e.g. Humane Society of US, Food and Agriculture Code), as well as seeking
accounting and legal review. Other concerns could be responsibly and cost-effectively addressed
by having the City augment existing services provided by OCHS. Examples include, approval of a
part-time Animal Control Officer; funding minor building modifications with an initial cost estimate
of less than $50,000; and adoption of a tablet browser -based device for Animal Control Officers to
help accurately track animal impounds and dispositions at OCHS.
OC Animal Care (OCAC) as a Prospective Service Provider for Costa Mesa
The County has announced its plan to begin building a new animal shelter at the former Tustin
Marine Corps Air Station in June 2016. OC Animal Care's planned animal shelter could be
considered a prospective animal care services provider for Costa Mesa. Several aspects of the
planned animal shelter will need to be evaluated before establishing if the County's new shelter
could be deemed a cost effective and viable alternative to provide Costa Mesa's animal care
service needs.
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Details of Construction of the New Shelter at the Tustin Site
Plans show the County's new shelter is a 50,000 square foot building, plus outdoor areas.
There will be 16 temperature controlled kennels, a training center, and dedicated interactive
areas (people -and -animal) have been formally planned. Animal shelter services are scheduled
to be provided from the Tustin location beginning October 2017. However, participating cities
will be billed quarterly invoices beginning October 2016.
Required Funding
The County's funding model being used to cover costs for the County's new $35 million shelter
presumes the 18 cities currently contracting with the County will choose to renew their
agreement to help fund the new shelter. The County will contribute the land plus $5 million
earmarked for this project. Administrators overseeing the new animal shelter's development
are hopeful additional cities in the County will seek to contract with OC Animal Care. However,
some cities who currently contract with OC Animal Care services are exploring alternative
options. The final sign -on deadline for cities is April 5, 2016. A preliminary contract for review
has not been made available at the time of this report's submittal to Council.
Capital Cost of Planned OC Animal Care Shelter in Tustin
Distribution of Cities' Share
City
of Maximum Construction
Costs
Anaheim
$7,017,529
23.39%
Brea
$367,454
1.22%
Cypress
$568,874
1.90%
Fountain Valley
$777,973
2.59%
Fullerton
$2,240,317
7.47%
Garden Grove
$4,142,755
13.81%
Huntington Beach
$1,829,954
6.10%
Laguna Hills
$222,122
0.74%
Lake Forest
$555,539
1.85%
Orange
$2,467,472
8.22%
Placentia
$548,846
1.83%
Rancho Santa Margarita
$209,618
0.70%
San Juan Capistrano
$270,168
0.90%
Santa Ana
$6,867,112
22.89%
Stanton
$612,821
2.04%
Tustin
$791,152
2.64%
Villa Park
$46,853
0.16%
Yorba Linda
$463,442
1.54%
Total Contracting Cities Funding Share
$30,000,000
100.00%
County Contribution
$5,000,000
Maximum Construction Costs
$35,000,000
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General Animal Care Services Offered by the County's New Animal Shelter
General animal care services offered by the County's new animal shelter include: retention of
impounded animals at the Tustin facility; facilitating owner identification of impounded animals;
sales or release of impounded animals to residents; animal evaluation for adoption; reasonable
efforts towards animal placement; public education; rescue group coordination; euthanasia and
disposal of animals not redeemed nor adopted; and veterinary services and spay/neuter
surgeries in accordance with established professional standards.
Past County Grand Jury Reviews
A 2015 Orange County Grand Jury investigation found that the Orange County Animal Shelter
had serious problems that have needed attention for many years. In addition to the desperate
need for a new shelter facility, there were complaints and allegations from a number of sources
inside and outside the Animal Shelter that focused on the lack of leadership throughout the
Orange County Community Resources and Animal Care chain of command. Additional
information led the Orange County Grand Jury to investigate concerns regarding employee
morale, human and animal health issues, feral cat policies, and allegations of criminal behavior.
Also, there were indications of conflict between veterinarians and management staff with regard
to medical decisions. The Orange County Grand Jury investigation found substantial factual
support for all these allegations.
As a result of the Grand Jury report, findings and suggested remedies were formally reviewed
by the County of Orange CEO, Board of Supervisors, OC Community Resources Director and
OC Animal Care. In response, OC Animal Care has implemented the following:
■ Focused countywide efforts to examine and improve employee engagement and morale.
■ Developed protocols whereby dogs would be separated during the kennel cleaning
process to avoid getting soaked and susceptible to disease.
■ Changed practices to avoid leaving hoses running when not in use.
■ Replaced broken air conditioner in the cat trailer and installed cat portals to decrease
stress on the cats.
■ Actively addressed the presence of rodents through sanitation, professional pest control
services and making repairs to prevent the entrance and harborage of rodents.
■ Advertised and planned recruitment for Animal Control Officer Trainees in June 2015 to
permanently fill 9 vacant positions in OC Animal Care.
■ OC Animal Care plans to properly implement the approved training of animal control
officers to legally administer tranquilizers in the field when the necessary guidance is
provided from the State.
■ OC Animal Care plans to analyze the outcomes and data for the Feral Free Program 7-
10 years after implementation to evaluate effectiveness on reducing number of
community cats, impounds and need for euthanasia at the OC Animal Shelter.
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Costa Mesa Staff's Preliminary OCHS Improvements
Costa Mesa's staff has proactively initiated the following improvements at OCHS, in response
to its own site inspection, and concerns noted in the Newport Beach audit:
■ Augmentation of current Animal Control Officer (ACO) staffing with a part-time ACO.
The part-time ACO's duties will include case management duties; data entry; data
tracking for LRCA reports; facilitating adoptions; provide on-site quality assurance
inspections (making log entries, facilitating improvement requests, etc.).
■ Minor structural modifications at OCHS to further improve conditions for sheltered
animals. Planned improvements include inclusion of roof mechanical fans for
ventilation; installation of security bars across windows to safeguard animals after
business hours; installation of skylights to increase lighting; demolition of an internal
block wall and installation of a new block wall, with a hollow core metal door, to
physically separate cats from nearby kenneled dogs and mitigate any unnecessary
stress caused by the dogs.
Develop information technology improvements to OCHS' in-house data and record-
keeping system currently in use. Costa Mesa's Information Technology staff recently
conducted an on-site visit and examined OCHS' Pet Point animal tracking/processing
software. Costa Mesa's Information Technology staff will work to integrate CMPD's
tracking of OCHS data through use of CMPD's own browser -based tablets. The goal for
this improvement is to enable more accurate, real-time data entry and retrieval of animal
processing data by ACOs.
■ Daily OCHS site inspections of facility are being logged by ACOs.
• Possible amendment to the current OCHS agreement, to approve additional funding to
secure an additional OCHS staff member to fulfill a pre -designated role. The new
shelter employee's primary role would be to support customer service, volunteer training
and adoption services.
Consideration of the formation of an oversight committee. The role of the committee
would be to provide direct input to CMPD staff regarding shelter operations and capital
improvements.
ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED
The City's alternatives are to:
1) Remain with OCHS and remedy any deficiencies related to animal care services, in a timely
and cost-effective manner; or,
2) Discontinue services with OCHS and secure animal care services with OC Animal Care's
planned shelter, or another available animal shelter deemed most suitable.
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FISCAL REVIEW
After conducting a survey of our surrounding cities with regard to their annual intake of dogs
and cats, annual sheltering costs, animal control costs, projected dog licensing revenue and
calculated net cost to the city for providing Animal Services, it is clear that Costa Mesa's costs
are significantly lower than its neighbors.
Animal Control & Sheltering Services Benchmark Data (Annual Net Cost)
City
Annual
Shelter
Shelter Cost
Animal
Dog
Net Cost
Intake
Provider
Control
Licensing
Cost
Revenue
Costa
1,382
OC Humane
$75,000
$366,930
$98,400
$343,530
Mesa
Society
Fountain
419
OC Animal
$433,677
included in
$89,453
$334,224
Valle
Care
contract
Huntington
929
OC Animal
$1,615,247
included in
$730,247
$885,000
Beach
Care
contract
Irvine
1,013
City of Irvine
$4,068,175
$680,393
$239,000
$4,509,568
Animal Care
Center
Newport
455
Home Free
$125,000
$524,175
$60,000
$589,175
Beach
Animal
Rescue &
Sanctuary
Santa Ana
4,659
OC Animal
$1,135,400
$521,269
$679,000
$977,669
Care
Several different animal care service models are currently utilized by our neighboring cities.
Fountain Valley and Huntington Beach both outsource all their animal services to OC Animal
Care; these include Animal Control, Animal Care Special Services, Animal Care Shelter
Services, Barking Dog Complaint Services and Pet Licensing. Costa Mesa, Newport Beach
and Santa Ana have a hybrid model, utilizing City employees under the Police Department and
contracting out Animal Sheltering services. Costa Mesa and Santa Ana collect dog licensing
fees through City employees in their Finance Departments, whereas Newport Beach outsources
this function to a company called Pet Data.
The City of Irvine administers a distinctly unique model in which all Animal Services are
provided by City staff. Irvine operates its own shelter, the City of Irvine Animal Care Center.
Irvine's animal shelter staffs 40.95 full-time employees and is allocated a $4 million annual
budget. Irvine's Animal Control services are facilitated using City employees under the Police
Department. Comparing the annual volume of animals impounded by individual, neighboring
cities, it appears the City of Costa Mesa's animal services model is the most cost-effective
alternative currently utilized.
If City Council committed to dedicating additional resources under our current agreement with
OCHS, in furtherance of facility improvements and best practices, Costa Mesa would likely
remain more cost-effective than its neighboring cities with providing animal care services.
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LEGAL REVIEW
If the City continues its animal care services with OCHS under the current agreement, no legal
review is required. If the City Council directs staff to explore securing animal care services with
the County's new shelter, the related agreement shall be reviewed at that time.
CONCLUSION
It is recommended City Council maintain animal care services with the City's current animal care
service provider, Orange County Human Society (OCHS), throughout the approved, current
contractual agreement, ending January 21, 2018. Staff further recommends that the City Council
direct staff to evaluate and resolve compliance concerns with funding from OCHS and the City
resources. Staff shall evaluate the ongoing progress and finalized terms of agreement of the
County's planned animal shelter, scheduled to open in October 2017. Staff should also re-
examine use of OCAC animal care services at the planned shelter, at the end of the County's
three (3) year moratorium for new sign -ons scheduled in October 2019.
GREG P. SCOTT
Police Department — Lieutenant
Costa Mesa Special Services Bureau
STEPHEN DUNIVENT
Interim Director of Finance
THOMAS R. HATCH
Chief Executive Officer
ATTACHMENTS: 1 CMPD OCHS Evaluation and Action
Plan
ATTACHMENTS: 2 Costa Mesa Animal Control staff's
preliminary assessment of
OCHS operations and site
condition (memorandum)
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ATTACHMENT 1
2016 ORANGE COUNTY HUMANE SOCIETY
SHELTER EVALUATION & ACTION PLAN
I. Address Concerns from 2015 Newport Beach Audit of OCHS
Reported non-compliance concerns from Newport Beach Audit of Orange County Humane
Society and Costa Mesa's Response:
1. Absence of dedicated full-time Shelter Manager/Coordinator
Costa Mesa: This issue was discussed during a meeting held March 1, 2016 at Orange
County Humane Society. City CEO to research possible remedies, funding, etc.
Pending hiring and assignment of part-time Animal Control Officer for joint
OCHS/Costa Mesa duties.
2. Vaccination and parasite control best practices
Costa Mesa: In compliance per Animal Control Officer.
3. Spay and neutering requirements at adoption (per CA Food & Agricultural Code)
Costa Mesa: In compliance per Animal Control Officer.
4. No sanitation plan
Costa Mesa: Per Animal Control Officer, OCHS follows Humane Society of the United
States guidelines for drainage, disease control, cleaning, etc.
5. Proper record keeping and billing (per City agreement)
Costa Mesa: I.T. Director and Supervisor conducted preliminary on-site software
assessment. The City plans to address record keeping concern through development
of data entry tablet application to interface with existing OCHS Pet Point software.
Additional record keeping duties will be assigned to part-time Animal Control Officer.
To address billing concern, City CEO plans to assign independent audit team to
examine selected accounting concerns.
6. Improper retention (non -remittance) of City impound fees
Costa Mesa: According to staff review by the Animal Control Officer and Revenue
Supervisor, Costa Mesa is properly receiving spay and neuter fines and dog licensing
fees from OCHS (submitted to Costa Mesa Finance Department). Adoption and
impound fees are also being properly retained by OCHS in accordance with the
agreement.
7. Improperly charging sales tax on adoptions and improperly withholding remittances
from Costa Mesa.
Costa Mesa: Per Finance Director, City's Sales Tax Consultant advised that sales tax
does not apply to adoption -related services for non-profit organizations. This issue was
discussed with OCHS during the March 1St meeting. OCHS is amenable to changing
over from their current tax and pay state tax model to tax exemption adoption services,
with the help of Costa Mesa's Finance and Legal teams.
ATTACHMENT 1
II. Additional Concerns to Resolve with OCHS
1. Potential violation of 7 -day hold requirement prior to adoption
Costa Mesa: Allegedly, OCHS practices a 5 -day hold prior to adoption rather than a
7 -day hold. According to Costa Mesa's Animal Control Officer, the 5 -day adopt -outs
practice is "lawful" (per Food & Agriculture Code 31108(a)(1) "Impounding period for
stray dogs: 4 -day hold required, not including day animal brought in.")
2. Confirmation of OCHS Non -Profit Status
Costa Mesa: City Attorney's Office submitted request to the State of California in early
February to confirm non-profit/incorporated status of the Orange County Humane
Society. Findings expected to arrive in approximately one month.
III. Develop Tablet Software to Improve Record Keeping
Costa Mesa: Identified need for a mobile tablet device to enable part-time and full-time Animal
Control Officers to improve record keeping and evaluate existing Orange County Humane Society
software for effectiveness.
The mobile tablet device needs to be able to do the following:
Track / validate ongoing accuracy of intake/processing/disposals of all animals
impounded at OCHS on ongoing basis
2. Enable "daily site log" (check off list) entries by Costa Mesa Animal Control Officers
tasked with daily inspections
3. Facilitate improved uploading of information regarding "adopt -out animals" at Orange
County Humane Society and Costa Mesa's city website
4. Enable tablet access / entries for case management of vicious and quarantined
animals
Costa Mesa's I.T. Director and I.T. Supervisor met with Police Department and Animal Control
staff in January 2016 to provide form (templates / formats) intended to be stored on tablet for use,
i.e. monthly reports, annual LRCA reports, etc. I.T. will consider either adopting SunGard
module/hardware or designing our own "in house" Wi-Fi enabled, browser -based tablet with
customizable forms, etc.
In February 2016, the I.T. Director provided an update that the department is leaning toward
developing in house browser -based tablet device. He will advise on a timeline for the confirmation
of the decision, and when the Costa Mesa user group will need to meet to develop
forms/features/functions to be designed for Animal Control Officer's intended use.
The I.T. Director and Supervisor conducted an on-site preliminary assessment of Orange County
Humane Society's Pet Point software on February 24, 2016. The I.T. Director believes Costa
Mesa's hand-held browser development and working with CHS staff regarding data input data
remedy data discrepancies with LRCA (Local Rabies Control Activities) reports, etc. This issue
was discussed at the March 1 sc meeting and Dr. Botros is agreeable to Costa Mesa's proposed
smart-tablet/browser development with OCHS using their Pet Point software.
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ATTACHMENT 1
IV. OCHS Structural Improvements
In January 2016, Costa Mesa City staff, including the Building Official and Animal Control Officer,
met with OCHS staff and architect to evaluate and discuss possible building modifications to
mitigate concerns with the current facility. Discussed modifications include:
1. Extend cinderblock wall to entirely physically separate dog kennel from cat kennel
areas (includes demolition and rebuild of existing block wall and installation of new
hollow core metal door in cat kennel area)
2. Install additional ventilation hardware in general animal kennel area (2 mechanical
fans)
3. Install 2 sky lights to improve lighting conditions
4. Install 14 external security bars over louvered windows, on kennel buildings, to
safeguard from break-ins (to steal animals after-hours)
The City's Building Official estimates a cost range between $16k -$48k to perform the proposed
structural improvements, including plans and permitting fees. At the March 1 st meeting, Dr. Botros
updated staff on the status of the building improvements stating that his architect is underway
with drawing up plans and estimate for submittal. The architect will coordinate with the City
Building Official going forward to obtain permits and complete construction. Upon receiving the
final plans and estimate from OCHS, the City will evaluate its role in contributing to the
improvements.
V. Consider Alternative Animal Care Services Provided by the County (OC Animal Care)
City of Costa Mesa staff met with representatives from OC Community Resources and OC Animal
Care on February 291h to discuss and explore the option of obtaining future animal services from
the County. Due to the planned capital improvement project on the horizon, there is an April 1,
2016 deadline for cities to sign a letter of intent to contract for OC Animal Care services and
subsequently contribute to the new shelter facility scheduled to open in Fall 2017. During the
meeting, County representatives explained various details of a potential agreement:
1. April 1, 2016 is the deadline for cities to sign on with Tustin shelter project
2. Finalized prospective agreement, to show interested cities, not due (for presentation)
until early -to -mid March, 2016
3. 10 -year committal agreement
4. 3 -year moratorium — locking out new/additional sign-ups
5. 2 -part contract: (1) participation agreement, funds towards CIP portion; and (2) service
agreement, quarterly billing for 10 -years
6. Participating cities pay starting October 2016. The shelter is scheduled to open in
October 2017
7. Billing based on pooled "shelter days" estimate, based on 5 -year historical data. Each
city's billing based on its proportion of shelter days needed, out of "total shelter days"
determined for all participating cities
8. Bulk of shelter days projected for North OC cities, e.g. Garden Grove, SA, Anaheim,
HB, Fullerton, Orange = comprise approx. 60-70% of current services
9. County (OC) to contribute land + $5M towards $30M -35M estimate (previously stated
to news media as $25M); sign -on cities to fund remaining costs ** New sign-ups, i.e.
cities signing on after 3 -year moratorium will still be charged to cover same costs as
initial participant cities
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ATTACHMENT 1
10. OCAC anticipates current 18 cities contracting with them to "sign up" for the Tustin
shelter
11. Additional stats from OC Animal Care:
a. Santa Ana is the only city of the 18 participants that fields its own Animal
Control Officers
b. 6 of the cities presently pay more than $1 M per year
c. Euthanasia rates: 10% dogs, 50% cats = 33% total
d. Average animal stay: 7-10 days
As of March 2nd, City Staff is waiting for a cost estimate from OC Animal Care based on
approximately 1,000 animals impounded annually as well as a description of basic services and
general terms of the potential agreement.
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ATTACHMENT 2
COSTA MESA POLICE DEPARTMENT
MEMORANDUM
TO: Lieutenant Greg Scott
FROM: Animal Control Officer Anna Rodriguez
SUBJECT: Commentary newspaper articles criticizing OCHS
DATE: November 29, 2015
My below commentary is in response to critiques against the Orange County
Humane Society (OCHS), noted in news articles printed by the OC Register and
Daily Pilot in November 2015. Although, admittedly, there are some areas for
shelter operation improvements, some of the criticisms noted in the news articles
were not consistent with my personal observations. I have listed allegations, in
bold, made against OCHS in the articles, and then noted my personal
observations and findings based on my training and professional experience with
shelter operations.
1. Animal Control officers said they have witnessed Humane Society staff
leaving dogs and cats in cages while they are being hosed down,
"leaving the animals wet for several days," instead of removing the
animals and then cleaning the cages.
Some of the animals were extremely aggressive and cannot be moved very
easily. The options are limited. Using a "ketch -all" pole can be stressful and a
dog can get injured by biting the pole and breaking its teeth and biting its tongue.
Tranquilizing a dog every time it defecates or urinates would also endanger the
dog's health. These dogs can also cause injury to personnel during removal. This
issue was addressed last year when I saw a few dogs wet. I told the shelter
manager and personnel to try their best not to get the dogs wet. When new
personnel are assigned to our area they are told to try their best to keep the
kennel area dry and free from excess water. To the best of my knowledge, this
has no longer been an issue. Efforts have been implemented to keep the shelter
dry by using large industrial fans and physically drying with squeegees.
2. They also reported that some animals are housed in a building with no
ventilation or sunlight, and cat cages are not scrubbed regularly.
When the facility was designed, the biggest issue was security. The building was
built with solid walls to avoid burglaries and pets getting stolen. The only
windows put in that building were the louvered -type below the vaulted roof.
Although the windows could be easy for burglars to access, since we have been
there, no burglary incidents have occurred. The vaulted windows also keep cats
from getting out of the building if they escape the cages. The structure of the
building has not changed since Costa Mesa entered into an agreement with the
shelter. Additional lighting and portable industrial fans have been used at the
facility at the request of Newport Beach.
Scrubbing of cages occurs twice a day. During the evening cleaning, the
volunteers assist. I have periodically asked the shelter staff to make sure cages,
bowls, walls and floors are disinfected during these scrubbings. I have provided
the special disinfectant for whatever parasites or viruses we happen to be
addressing. Most of the food and water is not consumed between feedings.
3. There is no quarantine area for sick cats, and food and water bowls are
not cleaned regularly, according to the staff report.
There is, in fact, a dedicated isolation (ISO) room that has always been used for
housing sick and contagious cats. They are monitored and treated. During the
outbreak of ring worm, the decision was made to treat 17 cats instead of
euthanizing them. This issue was easily resolved by extending the treatment
area to another building (C ward) which had been previously used for long-term
police holds or long-term impounds.
Additionally, Costa Mesa Animal Control Officers applied the following protocol:
■ Cats were diagnosed and treated.
■ The animals in Ward C were relocated and only the cats with ring worm were
housed in it.
■ Each cat was in a separate crate.
■ Each crate had food, water, and a litter box.
■ The same personnel were restricted (authorized) to maintain the cats.
■ The same dishes and boxes were left with each individual cat and not reused
or exchanged.
■ Cats were evaluated by a vet every week until there were no signs of
ringworm.
■ The available cat ward was closed to the public and sterilized. No cats were
adopted out for a few weeks. Before the room was reopened, it was
inspected.
■ During this period, I personally suggested to cat owners, who were
relinquishing their personal unwanted cats for adoption, to wait until the
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available adoption room cleared. No citizens with strays were turned away
from Costa Mesa. (Strays were held in a separate (D Ward) Animal Control
building.)
■ At the end of this outbreak, all dishes, crates and boxes were disposed of.
■ After researching other protocols used by other shelters and attending a
recent lecture by Dr. Lena Detar, a shelter medicine veterinarian, I concluded
OCHS staff had followed the correct protocol. The only difference I found is
there was an additional "by mouth" treatment (medicine) that could have also
been used. All the cats recovered nicely. Two of the cats were re -infected,
which is common. They since have recovered.
4. The report alleged the Humane Society has been marking up the price of
medicine for animals by 300%.
This I could not comment on because all our treatment and medications are
included in our contract.
5. Residents have complained about the cleanliness of the facility and that
the shelter's voicemail is often full, preventing them from leaving
messages. The report states, "One of the goals of an animal shelter is
to reunite lost animals with their owners, [and] it is in the spirit of
efficient shelter operations to maintain an answering service/voicemail
system equipped to accept an adequate number of messages to reunite
lost animals with their owners quickly," Newport Beach police Sgt.
Rachel Johnson wrote in a memo to the shelter on Sept. 30.
Unfortunately, with the name "Orange County Humane Society", the phone lines
are extremely busy with pet questions from all over Orange County, and even
bordering Los Angeles county cities. This causes a delay of response to the
phone calls to our citizens. Since we no longer have a person answering our
daily office line, we have routed all of our shelter service calls to them.
Another reason OCHS is so busy is due to the fact that the City of Newport
Beach no longer handles any dog licensing at City Hall and has hired a company
that keeps their licensing records and handles renewal notices. Since that
company is in Texas, day to day licensing, for Newport Beach residents, has
been referred to OCHS. Some of the duties are delinquent payments, obtaining a
license the same day, or miscellaneous licensing questions to OCHS staff. This
has caused another strain of the phone lines.
I have always observed the shelter receptionists giving their attention to the
citizens who are there in person, requesting personal assistance. An owner
redeeming a pet or adopting a pet can take 20 to 30 minutes from start to finish.
With having a lot of Animal Control phone experience, I know how difficult it is to
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satisfactorily handle phone requests, when we previously staffed a full
complement of three full-time Animal Control Officers along with a dedicated,
part-time secretary to fulfill all telephone needs.
6. One news article mentions a memo that detailed several issues the
Newport Beach Police Department believed violated the OCHS contract
with their city, which included turning away owner -relinquished cats.
This I know is not true. The shelter staff has been instructed by Newport Animal
Control to ask for pre -approval from Newport Animal Control Officers, prior to
accepting any strays or owner relinquished pets.
During the ring worm outbreak period, the shelter staff was specifically instructed
by Newport Beach ACOs not to accept any cats from Newport Beach. This is the
only instance I am personally aware of in which stray and owner -relinquished
cats were turned away by shelter staff.
7. The OC Register article reported that out of 62 drains, 31 drains had
missing covers.
I drove to the shelter and inspected the drains and did not find any missing drain
covers either in the adoption ward or the Animal Control ward. I asked the shelter
manager what the article was referring to. She said "two" covers were missing
and replaced with covers removed from unoccupied kennels in the C Ward.
Additional replacement covers were ordered, but there were never 31 covers
missing.
The City of Newport Beach has a very low impound rate and has never had the
need to contract with a large shelter. They have fit in well contracting with small
veterinary offices in the area.
Most veterinarians do not like to contract with Animal Control Agencies because
of all of the different customer service issues that interfere with their daily
business. These issues, coupled with their rising contract costs, has led Newport
Beach to leave three veterinary hospitals in the past 27 years. Each time they
have left a veterinary hospital, it was over similar issues.
I would like mention that the City of Costa Mesa services a large population of
animals every year. In comparison to other animal shelter facilities, OCHS offers
our pets and pet owners a better service compared to other animal shelters
available to service our needs.
ANNA RODRIGUEZ
Animal Control Officer
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