Yolo County OKs donations for Animal Services, orders study of governance options

The Yolo County Board of Supervisors voted May 20 to let the director of Animal Services accept restricted and unrestricted donations for specific shelter programs and to begin a county-led analysis of alternative governance models for the county’s animal services operations.

The action followed a detailed staff update on improvements and new programs at the county shelter. Animal Services Director Stephanie Amato told the board that three grants “totaling over $800,000” helped the department catch up on a spay/neuter backlog, fund free vaccine and microchip clinics, and provide urgent medical care to keep owned animals with their families. She also outlined facility upgrades, including insulation and HVAC work in the dog building and a lighting and electrical retrofit scheduled for completion by the end of summer.

Amato said a new public-facing animal services website will go live June 1 and that the department expects delivery of a modernized mobile surgery unit (a “Clinic in a Can”) in early fall, after the concrete slab is finished. She described a renovated fixed clinic space in repurposed county portables that will house two surgery tables and will be outfitted with about $300,000 of grant funds for a specialized exhaust system. Staff plan an RFQ for local nonprofit partners to use the space.

To make giving easier and more transparent, staff proposed setting up restricted donation accounts for specific purposes: community spay/neuter, an “angel fund” for urgent medical cases, facility upgrades/new shelter capital, community outreach and access-to-care programs (for example microchip and TNR work), and other identified program lines. The board delegated to the director authority to accept donations into those accounts and to work with finance and the county’s existing Friends group to coordinate fundraising.

The board also received an update on the Yolo Animal Services Planning Agency (the JPA created in 2020) and on interest among the cities and UC Davis in exploring governance options that would provide partner entities more operational voice. Department of Community Services Director Leslie Limbo told the board the JPA members asked for a check-in with each governing body before spending money on a study. County Administrative Office staff told supervisors they would lead an analysis, working with city managers and JPA members on methodology, and would seek partner contributions if outside consulting is required.

Supervisor Lucas Villegas moved the motion to delegate donation authority and to begin discussions with partner agencies about a governance-study methodology; Supervisor Don Saylor (Frerichs) seconded. The motion passed by voice vote.

What the board decided and next steps - Director Amato was authorized to accept restricted and unrestricted donations into the newly created program accounts. Donations will be visible through the new animal services web presence and coordinated with the existing Friends of YCAS group. - The county administrative office will lead outreach to JPA members, UC Davis and the cities to define a methodology for an analysis of governance models and potential costs. Staff told the board their goal is to return with a recommended approach within roughly six months, while allowing schedule flexibility for partner engagement.

Why this matters Local animal shelter operations involve a mix of county funding, contractual city contributions through the JPA and substantial community fundraising. The actions on May 20 formalize donation channels and start a joint review of whether the existing planning-agency model remains the best structure for operations, budget and partner input. The board’s direction aims to preserve near-term shelter improvements while creating a path for longer-term decisions about structure and capital needs.