San Bernardino animal commission hears public criticism, gets updates on sick ward, modular kennels, staffing and spay-neuter partnerships

Angry public comments accusing shelter leadership of mismanagement opened the Oct. 9 meeting of the San Bernardino Animal Control Commission, followed by staff briefings that outlined construction and program plans intended to expand capacity and reduce shelter stays.

A resident who identified herself as Georgie Health accused shelter leadership of “misuse of funds” and urged commissioners to vote a “no confidence” in the director. “Misuse of funds, egregious failures, and unjustified deaths of innocent animals are happening under your watch cloaked in darkness,” Health said, adding that the shelter had “inflated this department’s budget to over $10,000,000 while continuing to systematically kill hundreds of animals each month.” Health called for the resignation of commissioners and the director.

The public comment was followed by a detailed staff update led by Director Watson and Deputy Director Jasmine Glover McNamara. Director Watson described ongoing and planned facility improvements, staffing updates, volunteer activity and community partnerships intended to raise return-to-owner rates and overall save rates.

Director Watson said construction on a dedicated sick/ isolation ward has begun and staff “expect the completion of that building by the end of this month,” adding that three walls and insulation were already in place and contractors will follow to install electrical, sewer and HVAC systems. The commission was told that a modular office building approved by the mayor and city council should be delivered in the next few weeks to provide staff workspace outside the main circulation path.

Staff also reported that the city has purchased 12 modular kennel buildings (manufactured off-site) and that, once site grading and a state-required water quality management assessment are complete, the concrete pads will be prepared and the modules delivered. Staff said the modular kennels are expected to arrive by June 2025 and that each delivered building contains between 12 and 16 kennel panels; once installed the site would have roughly 311 panels available.

Officials described a separate leased facility referred to as Casa Ramona (the former day-care/clinic on Fifth and Medical Center Drive) that will house cats on one side and dogs on the other after the nonprofit vacates. Director Watson said the site offers roughly 7,000 square feet, two entrances and room for an outdoor play yard.

Staff reported current shelter population and capacity figures: about 460 dogs on the main campus, roughly 45–50 dogs at a northern boarding facility used for mothers and puppies, and about 100 dogs at the Casa Ramona site. Staff said the goal for kennel occupancy is generally one to two dogs per kennel so enrichment and volunteer handling can be expanded.

On staffing, Deputy Director Jasmine Glover McNamara reported eight new hires in background checks who will begin soon and five current vacancies. There are two open staff veterinarian positions; staff are pursuing a per-diem/vouchered model to attract veterinarians who want flexible schedules and noted per-diem pay rates of roughly $1,400–$1,500 per eight-hour day under the city’s current structure. McNamara said the city manager and human resources are working on the position classification needed to create recurring per-diem roles.

Staff described new and expanding outreach and reunification tools: integration with PawBoost and Petco Love Lost for automated lost-and-found postings and facial-recognition matches; planned Nextdoor/Neighbors mapping for contract cities; and a pilot to place donated microchip scanners in 10 fire stations so firefighters can scan found animals and provide owners a next step without the animal entering the shelter. Gary Jaeger of the county fire department was identified as a partner in the scanner rollout.

Nonprofit partners presented program updates. Jennifer Hurlbut of the Lang Foundation and representatives from Michelson Found Animals and PAW Mission described an intervention or “safety net” program that provides $50 spay/neuter vouchers (expanded from $25 due to demand) and emergency medical, supply and boarding assistance to prevent owner surrenders. Lang Foundation’s program had committed roughly $1 million over five years for the San Bernardino shelter; staff said the foundation’s spending exceeded its 2023 budget projection because of increased need. Michelson Found Animals awarded a grant to PAW Mission to provide free spay/neuter slots for city residents; staff said those clinic dates generally provide 36 spots and that large-dog slots are limited (two females and two males over 45 pounds per session).

Commission staff and volunteers reported an increase in volunteer hours (412 volunteer hours reported for September) and a Best Friends grant that provides $200 stipends to rescue partners for select long-stay dogs to encourage pulls from the shelter.

Staff presented monthly and quarterly “live-out” save-rate statistics used by the animal welfare industry. For January through September staff reported a roughly 81–82% save rate for dogs (adults and puppies) and substantially lower save rates for cats and kittens because the shelter’s cat intake has included many injured, sick or neonatal kittens requiring intensive care. Combined save-rate figures were reported at about 69% for the reported period and 66% for an earlier quarter. Staff emphasized that the shelter’s “live-out” metrics exclude animals that were impounded deceased, consistent with industry reporting standards.

Commission business included a motion to approve the consent calendar minutes from the April regular meeting and the July special meeting; the motion was seconded and the item moved forward (vote counted by raised hands). The commission also approved adjournment to Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025.

The meeting closed after requests that commissioners and new council members consider additional appointments to the advisory board and reminders to submit agenda items for the January meeting.

Despite strong public criticism, staff emphasized a mix of facility upgrades, increased volunteer support, contractual and philanthropic partnerships and recruitment efforts aimed at reducing length of stay and improving reuse and adoption outcomes.