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Animal control lauded for 90% save rate; council discusses need for new facility and staffing
Summary
Brockton animal control reported a 90% save rate for 2024, training recognitions and continued pandemic-era response work; councilors asked for a needs assessment and considered moving the animal inspector post from Health to Animal Control.
Animal control leaders told the Finance Committee on June 17 that the department answered about 8,700 calls for service in 2024, impounded roughly 260 animals and achieved a 90% save rate for calendar year 2024, earning recognition from Best Friends Animal Society.
“Animal control answered approximately 8,700 calls for service. They impounded approximately 260 animals and euthanized 11,” the chief said during the presentation. She added that so far in 2025 the department had answered roughly 2,900 calls, impounded about 110 animals and euthanized four. Department staff also received training certifications and a scholarship to a New England humane society conference.
Councilor Farwell and others pressed for a needs assessment on a new animal control facility. “In the next year, can we do a needs assessment on what would a new building look like? How large would it have to be? Could it be at the current location? What would the cost be? Are there grant funds available?” Farwell asked. Mayor Sullivan said a needs assessment had started when he first took office but paused during the pandemic; he described three options previously considered — acquisition, renovation of the current site, and new construction or acquisition of a new building — and said renovation of the existing site appeared infeasible because of building condition and site constraints.
Committee members also discussed where the city’s animal inspector position should sit administratively. Farwell asked whether the inspector currently in the health department might better be placed under animal control; the mayor said he was open to reviewing the issue with the city solicitor and noted potential collective bargaining implications.
No vote or ordinance change was made; councilors asked staff and administration to examine needs, potential grant sources and the realignment of the animal inspector role for a future report to the council.
