Chino council approves retroactive allocation as Animal Resource Center opens; residents press for vet services and transparency

The Chino City Council on July 1 unanimously approved a retroactive FY 2024–25 appropriation for the Animal Resource Center (ARC) as the joint-powers shelter marked its first day of public operations.

City staff asked the council to appropriate $2,502,554 to support ARC operations and capital costs for FY 2024–25 and said the shelter is open at a temporary location in Ontario. Assistant City Manager Jackie Melendez told the council, “the Bridal Resource Center of the Inland Empire is now officially open for business. Today is officially day 1.” The council voted to approve the retroactive appropriation and related actions by voice vote; Mayor Eunice Semulo and the full council recorded unanimous support.

The appropriation request followed staff remarks about the ARC’s budget and share of costs: staff said the adjusted FY 2024–25 ARC budget is $8,900,000 and that Chino’s share is 28 percent. At the meeting city staff described $2,502,554 as the retroactive appropriation requested from Chino for FY 2024–25; staff also said Chino’s share has been budgeted for FY 2025–26. Melendez said the ARC’s temporary shelter is at 1630 Shearwater Street in Ontario and provided a public website, arcinlandempire.org, and a phone number, (909) 321-1080, for volunteers, fostering and adoptions.

Public commenters pressed the council on operational shortfalls and transparency. Resident Maureen Mendoza told the council she believes the ARC facility “is too small to even accommodate a small surgical area” and warned that without immediate spay/neuter capacity the community could see increased unwanted litters and overcrowded facilities. Mendoza urged a “collaborative partnership with the Inland Valley Humane Society” and said the ARC had not yet staffed a veterinarian. Melendez replied that animals began transferring into ARC care on June 18 (the first transfers were from Montclair), that operations have been staged over the last several weeks and that staff had worked to avoid daily penalties that, as discussed in the meeting, were estimated in some instances to be as high as $5,000 per day if animals remained in another agency’s custody.

Council members acknowledged community frustration while emphasizing the ARC’s temporary status and the expected phased ramp-up of services. Mayor Pro Tem Curt Burton, who represents Chino on the ARC JPA, described the opening as “day 1” and asked for patience as the ARC hires staff and scales services. Other council members said they expect ARC and Inland Valley to collaborate when one agency lacks capacity and reiterated that the city will monitor service delivery and budget outcomes.

The council motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Curt Burton and seconded by Council Member Flores; the item passed unanimously. Staff said Chino budgeted an estimated $1.9 million for the ARC in FY 2025–26 and emphasized that partner cities and the JPA have taken steps to stand up operations and volunteer programs in the interim.

Council members and staff invited residents to use the ARC website for up-to-date information on services, volunteering and adoption listings.

Clarifying details from the meeting: staff stated the ARC’s temporary address (1630 Shearwater Street, Ontario), provided arcinlandempire.org and (909) 321-1080 for inquiries, said the adjusted FY 2024–25 ARC budget is $8,900,000, and requested a retroactive appropriation of $2,502,554; staff also said Chino’s FY 2025–26 share was budgeted at approximately $1,900,000. Staff reported that animals began transferring into ARC care on June 18 and that city staff worked to avoid penalties for extended holds at other shelters.