San Bernardino Animal Services reports intake surge, new clinics and per‑diem vets; public speakers press for more veterinary capacity

Animal Services Director Chris Walton presented a department update to the City Council on March 19, outlining a sharp increase in 2024 intakes, facility upgrades and steps the department is taking to expand veterinary capacity and outreach.

Walton said the shelter received almost 9,700 dogs and cats in 2024, an increase of roughly 33% over 2023, and reported more than 3,500 adoptions and a dog save rate of about 82 percent (the cat save rate was 53 percent). He attributed part of the intake increase to a July partnership with regional organizations and noted improvements in return‑to‑owner rates after the shelter started posting lost and found animals on social media and services such as Petco Love Lost and PawBoost.

On facilities and staffing, Walton told the council the city approved $4 million for shelter facility improvements. He said a new medical isolation ward was nearly complete, a newly purchased customer service center building would allow the shelter to close for a single move day and reopen at a larger public counter, and a 7,500‑square‑foot adoption satellite on Eighth Street will provide a quieter, home‑like environment for animals. The city expects roughly 311 new on‑site dog kennels and the ability to house just under 400 dogs when combining the shelter and satellite center.

On medical staff, Walton described an expanded veterinary team: four registered veterinary technicians and four vet assistants are on staff (the city still lacks a full‑time veterinarian). He said the council recently approved per‑diem veterinarian positions and that four applicants were already in background checks; those relief‑style vets will allow more spay/neuter procedures and routine surgeries. Walton said the shelter is converting an on‑site former cat room into a clinic space to support surgeries and exams once vets are on board.

Walton credited partnerships and grants for several initiatives. He said the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians approved use of a $300,000 allocation to pay for spay/neuter surgeries for animals adopted from the shelter, and the department received a UC Davis‑funded voucher program of $500 vouchers that were fully allocated within 24 hours. He also described a partnership with San Bernardino County Fire to deploy microchip scanners at city fire stations so residents or first responders can scan found pets and speed reunification.

Public commenters and animal‑welfare advocates responded with praise for some efforts and sharp criticism on others. Several speakers, including individuals identified as "Georgia," Selena, Tammy Valdivia and others, questioned daily operations and described animals they said died in the shelter or were not treated quickly enough. One commenter said the shelter’s practice of using a rendering company to remove deceased animals is common across Southern California; Walton confirmed the city pays a private rendering company (TLC in Vernon) to remove deceased animals and said it is not used for testing and that cremation options are limited and costly.

Advocates pressed the council to prioritize hiring a full‑time veterinarian and to expand spay/neuter capacity because they said backlogs had led to animals being returned or killed. Walton acknowledged a backlog (he estimated more than 2,000 animals awaiting spay/neuter) and said the per‑diem vets and conversion of clinic space are intended to address that backlog as hiring and funding permit.

Why it matters: The shelter’s intake surge and backlog affect outcomes for animals and interact with broader homelessness and community needs; the department’s capital and staffing plans aim to reduce deaths and shorten length of stay, but advocates say faster hiring of full‑time vets and clearer public timelines are required.