SPARC: Barking at no-kill shelter could cause dogs to be moved
March 22, 2013
By Peggy Kelly
Santa Paula News
Ventura County’s first no-kill haven for animals, Santa Paula Animal Rescue Center (SPARC) is itself in danger after the City Council said noise complaints might cause dogs to be moved from the East 7th Street facility.
The council and members of the SPARC board of directors discussed the issue at the March 18 meeting.
The shelter opened in June amid much fanfare that it was the first such no-kill facility in Ventura County as well as a money saver for the city, which estimated it would save at least $40,000 annually over costs associated with using the county shelter.
The city and SPARC struck an agreement wherein the shelter would provide animal services for the city, including licensing, adoptions, holding strays until their owners claim them, spaying, neutering and vaccinating the animals taken there. In addition, SPARC has been providing services to those contemplating giving up their animals due to financial hardship by providing pet food and, when needed, veterinarian services.
Interim Police Chief Ishmael Cordero told the council although he believes SPARC has attained their mission as a no-kill shelter, a November 12 meeting with several neighbors centered on the primary complaint that dogs bark throughout the day and into the evening. The police department has received 21 complaints in all, most centered on the dogs, while Cordero said he has received many from citizens, “mainly due to barking dogs.”
Vice Mayor Rick Cook said he has also been subjected to calls from those complaining about the noise, and asked about shelter guidelines including intake boundaries and population. Councilman Jim Tovias also had questions answered by SPARC Board Directors Rene Ruston and Jean Marie Webster.
Dogs that are not reclaimed or adopted out are moved to other no-kill facilities until they find homes. Some have even been transported out of state for adoption.
Tovias also wanted to know about recordkeeping: “We keep copious records” on each intake, said Ruston. After some more questions, Tovias said that with documentation he would support helping SPARC find larger quarters for the dogs. The facility on the corner of 7th and East Santa Barbara streets could continue to house and process the cat population.
The facility has been the focus of much media coverage, including on national television programs, and rightfully so, said Ruston. “We can put together a report that shows the challenges and the triumphs,” she added.
Although Councilman Bob Gonzales said SPARC has done a “phenomenal job,” he questioned quality of life issues for those living next to the facility.
Mayor Ralph Fernandez said the council had supported SPARC “on the condition that you would be good neighbors and that we wouldn’t get complaints” based on noise and other disturbances. And, he added, “I’m very concerned about the noise.”
Cook played a tape he said was SPARC dogs barking, and noted, “The neighbors can’t even open their windows.” One neighbor addressed the council and said, although “I applaud the work SPARC is doing,” overall, the barking is not only impacting his quality of life - especially as some of the dogs are placed behind a metal rollup door which makes noise worse - but also could seriously impact home values.
Although having recently adopted a SPARC dog, and highly complimentary of the shelter, Councilman Martin Hernandez said it appears the current location is “not going to work.” He suggested SPARC be given six months to address their problems, which would also allow time to find and relocate to another location.
Gonzales disagreed: “I think four months is too long,” and suggested staff “look at our options.... If SPARC cannot find an alternate location,” the “only solution I can see is to reengage with the County of Ventura” for animal services.
Webster and Ruston told the council that at times the dogs have been deliberately aggravated, but they do take such complaints seriously. Ruston told the council the shelter’s board of directors would need to discuss the issues and explore additional soundproofing of the building. Webster said chronic barkers have been fostered out, and other methods are being readied to minimize barking.
Hernandez noted that saving the city money was the “impetus” for contracting with SPARC, an issue that should still be considered.
The report was received and filed and the council voted 4-1 to take the issue up again at its April 1 meeting. Hernandez abstained from the vote, noting later, “I didn’t like where they were going with the short notice... it was more my way of saying I’m not agreeable,” and he feels there should be adequate time to address the concerns of the city, community and SPARC.
