Board signs off on county response to grand jury report on Animal Services Commission

The Board of Supervisors voted unanimously Sept. 16 to approve a county response to the 2024–25 Ventura County Grand Jury report examining the Animal Services Commission (often called the Animal Services Commission) and animal services operations.

Deputy CEO Mike Morelli and Animal Services Director Esteban Rodriguez presented the county’s coordinated reply, which accepts several of the grand jury’s findings related to governance, outdated facilities and language access; staff partially concurred with several other findings while offering clarifications about open‑admission shelter operations, the county’s shift to no‑kill policy in 2014 and successful recent initiatives such as a mobile spay/neuter clinic.

Recommended implementation: staff concurred with or partially concurred with most of the grand jury’s recommendations and pledged action on bylaws revision, improved advisory processes, contract modernization with partner cities, attention to volunteer wellness and an analysis of expanding services to Thousand Oaks and Santa Paula. The county’s response sets an implementation window for certain recommendations to be completed in 2026 and noted that some recommendations depend on the Animal Services Commission agreeing to bylaw changes.

Supervisors praised the current department leadership and volunteers for performance during emergencies and for recent service improvements. Several supervisors said the grand jury’s findings reflected past leadership issues that are being addressed under Director Rodriguez. The board approved the response for submittal to the presiding judge of the Superior Court and requested follow‑up reports on the timeline for implementing agreed recommendations.

Vote: motion to approve staff recommendations and submit the county response passed unanimously.