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The shift from utilizing Ventura County Animal Control to the newly created SPARC (Santa Paula Animal Rescue Center), to be located at the corner of 7th and Santa Barbara streets, could save the city as much as $50,000. |
Santa Paula Animal Rescue Center tentatively agreed to by Council
December 09, 2011
By Peggy Kelly
Santa Paula City Council
The City Council took the first steps by tentatively agreeing to allow a no-kill animal shelter in Santa Paula when they approved the plan - but held off on a contract - at the November 21 meeting.
The shift from utilizing Ventura County Animal Control to the newly created SPARC (Santa Paula Animal Rescue Center), to be located at the corner of 7th and Santa Barbara streets, could save the city as much as $50,000, said Police Chief Steve MacKinnon. In addition, the council was told a local shelter would also eliminate the personnel hours needed and costs incurred just to transport animals to the county’s Camarillo-based shelter.
Because of the large number of pets held by the county, it must “unfortunately euthanize” a large number of animals. Last year MacKinnon said the city transported 360 dogs and 240 cats to the shelter; many were ultimately euthanized.
The SPPD has looked at various options for animal control since 2009, and the next year started specific planning for city-operated facility. New fees were adopted in anticipation of same, and then MacKinnon was approached by a coalition of animal rescue groups seeking a partnership.
“Since then,” said MacKinnon, “we brought them on board and stepped away from doing a city shelter.” A nonprofit coalition is being formed and, MacKinnon said, “The thought was they could provide better services to the community” with local services, easy to access services and the no kill policy.
In addition to humanitarian benefits, the plan would also represent a significant savings to the city as well as possible revenue as other tenants have shown an interest in the same strip mall where the shelter would be located. The facility would be located at the former veterinarian clinic, and MacKinnon explained the proposed set up for the shelter, which would also be the site of adoptions and other services.
Benefits of the plan would include not requiring owners of lost pets to travel to Camarillo, which can lead to surrendering pets; more local availability of the city’s animal control officer; and a possible saving in other city staff time, such as finance, as the shelter would do much of the paperwork and recordkeeping.
Of course, noted MacKinnon, the no kill philosophy of the clinic is also important, as unclaimed pets would have a better chance of being adopted either locally or after being transferred to various other facilities offering pet adoptions, “... and there would be a significant reduction in costs to the city.... I feel very confident we would save half of that” as well as garner more of the fees now collected by the county.
Local licensing, vaccination, spay/neuter, feral cat control and other programs would also be localized to create “a program instead of enforcement” that, MacKinnon said, would also include expanded community education programs, events and pet fairs. MacKinnon said with council approval it is possible the shelter could open as early as January.
Council members had several suggestions and questions that brought Diane Rowley of the coalition to the podium. She noted financial backing is available and any funding from the city - $19,000 had already been put aside - would be used as a loan.
Councilman Ralph Fernandez expressed concern about noise impacts, and MacKinnon said SPPD K-9 officers had sound tested the building at midnight. There was some noise from the barking K-9s, “but not a lot,” and additional soundproofing is planned.
Rowley noted the population of the facility is expected never to exceed 30 animals. Volunteers are already lining up to help, even before SPARC has advertised needs or sought donations.
Fernandez said he supported the concept, “but cautiously.... I want to make sure we dot all the i’s and cross all the t’s” to ensure the city has no liabilities.
Vice Mayor Bob Gonzales asked about mandates for housed animals and whether ordinances would have to be adopted for same, but was told such issues could be addressed through the contract.
Councilman Rick Cook said there must be a limit such as for public meeting places and businesses. Rowley agreed, but noted the number is “arbitrary” as animals differ so much in size. “What we (Santa Paula) had was 250 animals killed last year by the county because” of a lack of space, a situation Rowley said offended her.
After more discussion Mayor Fred Robinson showed support of “bringing a more human approach to animal care,” as well as saving staff time and money for the city.
Rowley noted the Santa Paula Animal Rescue Center would be a model for other communities.
Robinson asked if SPARC would start to rehab the building before the contract is finalized. “We will not go into business without a contract,” said Rowley. “These are not my dollars to spend.”
MacKinnon said the issue would return to the council at the December 19 meeting. The full council agreed during the roll that MacKinnon joked was “signified by a woof.”
