Baldwin Park council directs staff to pursue contract with Inland Valley Humane Society, seeks dedicated officer

Mayor Daniel Damien and the Baldwin Park City Council on Feb. 4 directed staff to return with a revised contract to shift the city’s animal-control services from Los Angeles County’s Department of Animal Control and Care to the Inland Valley Humane Society (IVHS), including a recommendation to fund a dedicated IVHS officer.

The council’s direction followed a presentation by Captain Hendricks and staff comparing the two providers’ costs and services. Captain Hendricks summarized a five‑year cost history and projected that switching to IVHS could save the city roughly $1.5 million over two years, potentially rising to about $1.7 million when factoring projected revenue offsets. Staff also noted that a current grant and budget considerations shaped timing and implementation.

Why it matters: Baldwin Park’s spend on animal-control services has risen in recent years as county subsidy reductions took effect. Council members framed the decision in fiscal and service-quality terms: seeking predictable annual costs, enhanced community outreach and on-the-ground services such as mobile vaccine clinics and spay/neuter events.

What staff recommended and the council’s direction: Captain Hendricks said staff’s recommendation was to authorize IVHS as the new provider and to initiate notice to the county, enabling a transition with a target contract start of July 1, 2026. IVHS representatives told the council that regular IVHS operating hours would be 8 a.m.–9 p.m. and that the organization runs mobile vaccine and low‑cost spay/neuter clinics.

Mayor Daniel Damien emphasized the projected savings during council discussion, saying the city would still get improved service while reducing long‑term costs. Councilmember Alejandra Avila asked for a package of specific services to be included in the returned contract so residents know what to expect; she asked staff to include spay/neuter events, reduced‑fee vaccines, microchipping and community education in the scope.

On the dedicated officer: IVHS described a dedicated officer assigned to Baldwin Park as part of the service package. IVHS staff said the dedicated position would be present in the city during regular hours and would handle pickup and response when feasible; the council directed staff to include a dedicated officer funded at $125,000 per year in the draft contract to be returned for formal approval.

Transition steps and safeguards: Staff said they would prepare the termination notice to LA County consistent with prior discussions and bring a returned contract back to council with exact terms, including any backup housing arrangements with the county if needed during transition.

Next step: Staff will return a full draft contract for council review that specifies the service list, performance reporting, the dedicated‑officer arrangement and transition timeline. The council voted 5–0 to receive the report and direct staff to return with the revised contract.

Quotes: "This decision should have an impact on our budget and the quality of animal control services provided to our residents," Captain Hendricks said in his presentation. "Our actual what we consider regular hours is 8AM to 9PM," an IVHS representative said when describing staffing and the dedicated officer.

Ending: The council’s direction was procedural — it did not by itself award the contract. Staff will return with the full contract language and service schedule for a future meeting.