Folsom (Sacramento) Management Consultants Study of the Animal Services Program for the CityCity ofof Antioch,Antioch, CACA April 3, 2009 2250 East Bidwell Street, Suite 100 Folsom, CA 95630 (916) 458-5100 Fax: (916) 983-2090 This page was intentionally left blank TABLE OF CONTENTS Section Page Executive Summary.......................................................................................................................1 The Study Scope and Why Citygate Was Hired........................................................1 The Process Used By Citygate...................................................................................1 Important Note to the Scope of Work........................................................................2 Organization of this Report........................................................................................2 The Unique Lay of the Land in Antioch....................................................................3 Community Meeting Input.........................................................................................3 Overview of Citygate’s Findings and Conclusions ...................................................4 Strengths and Weaknesses of a Non-Profit Animal Control Program in Antioch.....5 Strengths and Weaknesses of Going With the County for Animal Control Services......................................................................................................................5 Strengths and Weaknesses of Forming an East County Joint Powers Authority for Animal Control Services ......................................................................................6 Action Plan: “Patch, Plan, and Pay” ..........................................................................7 Patch.................................................................................................................7 Plan ..................................................................................................................8 Pay..................................................................................................................10 Everybody Has a Constructive Role to Play in the Solutions..................................10 Summary of Recommended Patch, Plan and Pay Strategy......................................11 Overview of Action Plan .........................................................................................12 Action Plan .....................................................................................................................................1 Section I. Introduction to the Study ..............................................................Section I, page 1 Study Scope and Objectives.......................................................................................1 Study Approach.........................................................................................................2 Section II. General Overview of Animal Control........................................Section II, page 1 History........................................................................................................................1 Public Agency Animal Control Organization Placement ..........................................2 Joint Powers Authority ....................................................................................4 Contracting With Another Governmental Organization..................................4 Contracting For Animal Control Service With Non-Profit Organizations ......4 The Euthanasia Debate ..............................................................................................5 Animal Reproductive Capacity..................................................................................6 Full Access Public Shelters .......................................................................................6 Table of Contents page i HSUS Statement on Limited-Admission Animal Shelters........................................6 Admission Policies...........................................................................................6 Fund-Raising and Public Relations..................................................................7 Shelter Size and Euthanasia Rate ..............................................................................7 What National Humane Organizations Say About Euthanasia .................................8 Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) ................................................8 People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA).....................................8 Asilomar Accords............................................................................................9 Legal Basis for Animal Control ................................................................................9 California Animal Laws...........................................................................................10 Regulations.....................................................................................................10 Statutes...........................................................................................................10 Animal Control Officer Authority..................................................................11 Ordinances and City Codes .....................................................................................11 Legislative Efforts....................................................................................................11 Impacts of SB 1785 on Public Shelters..........................................................13 Impacts of AB 1856 on Public Shelters .........................................................13 Mandates and Community Expectations .................................................................14 Legal Mandates that Impact Animal Control Programs.................................14 Discussion of Mandates..................................................................................14 Discussion of Community Expectations ........................................................15 Current Animal Control Issues, Trends, and Best Practices....................................15 Information Technology.................................................................................15 Field Services.................................................................................................16 Shelter Services..............................................................................................16 Adoption Services – Public/Private Cooperation...........................................16 Revenue Generation.......................................................................................17 Spay/Neuter Programs....................................................................................18 Risk Management...........................................................................................18 Workers’ Compensation.................................................................................18 Training..........................................................................................................19 Conclusion ...............................................................................................................19 Section III. Geography and Demographic Issues........................................ Section III, page 1 Geography..................................................................................................................1 Contra Costa County Regions..........................................................................2 Animal Control Issues Relative to Geography ..........................................................3 Population and Growth.....................................................................................4 Table of Contents page ii Regional Population Growth......................................................................................5 East County City Population Growth ........................................................................6 Historical Antioch Population Growth.............................................................7 Antioch Population Projection...................................................................................8 Animal Control Issues Relative to Population and Growth .............................8 Effects of Spay/Neuter and Education Programs on Animal Intakes......................10 Development Issues.................................................................................................11 Conclusion ...............................................................................................................11 Recommendations....................................................................................................11 Section IV. Contra Costa County Animal Control and Animal Related Non-Profit Organizations...........................................................Section IV, page 1 Animal Control Agencies ..........................................................................................1 Contra Costa County ........................................................................................1 City of Antioch.................................................................................................1 Non-Profit Animal Welfare Organizations................................................................1 Non-Profit Animal Welfare Organizations Not Specific to Antioch.........................2 Maddie’s Fund..................................................................................................2