Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Animal Services topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Cloverdale council approves transitional animal services contracts with Humane Society and month‑to‑month field services
Summary
Faced with the sudden contract loss of North Bay Animal Services' sheltering arrangement, the council adopted a resolution to secure short-term sheltering with the Humane Society of Sonoma County and month‑to‑month field services with North Bay while pursuing longer-term solutions.
The Cloverdale City Council adopted a resolution approving a transitional animal services model that pairs short‑term field services with a temporary sheltering arrangement after regional contract disruptions.
Chief staff (speaker 25) presented the emergency response after Petaluma canceled North Bay’s contract, leaving several cities scrambling for sheltering and field services. The staff recommended a stopgap arrangement: a month‑to‑month field services agreement with North Bay Animal Services ($3,300 per month in the staff recommendation) and an assessment period and sheltering contract with the Humane Society of Sonoma County (HSSC). The staff identified a one‑time budget amendment of about $28,000 to fund operations through the end of the fiscal year and estimated an annual cost around $115,000 if the Humane Society becomes the ongoing sheltering provider.
Cynthia King, executive director of the Humane Society of Sonoma County, thanked the city and urged long‑term coordination and a joint approach, noting that the county board of supervisors would consider expansion options at its April 7 meeting. "The JPA offers a better long-term solution," she said, urging regional collaboration.
Carrie Stewart, senior director of operations at the Humane Society, described rescuing dozens of animals after the provider change in Clear Lake and urged prompt record access from North Bay. "Some animals could barely turn around in their kennels," she said, and recommended the council request electronic records of animals cared for by North Bay.
Councilmember motioned to adopt the resolution (title only) to approve the transitional model, the motion was seconded, and the council approved the resolution by voice vote (motion passed 5-0). The resolution, as adopted, authorized a month‑to‑month field services agreement with North Bay Animal Services for field services and a temporary assessment/sheltering arrangement with the Humane Society of Sonoma County while the city pursues longer-term contracts or a regional joint powers authority (JPA).
