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Calistoga switches animal‑shelter contract to We Care Animal Rescue effective April 1
Summary
City Manager Salaya told the council that Calistoga terminated its contract with the previous shelter provider and entered a new agreement with We Care Animal Rescue of St. Helena to provide sheltering, licensing, veterinary treatments and transport beginning April 1; staff will publicize the new services.
The City of Calistoga has terminated its previous animal‑services contract and entered a new agreement with We Care Animal Rescue of St. Helena, City Manager Salaya told the council on March 31. The new arrangement is effective April 1.
Salaya said the prior contracted provider lost its lease in Petaluma; as a result the city ended the contract with the former vendor and contracted with We Care Animal Rescue of St. Helena to provide animal sheltering, licensing, vaccinations and transport to the rescue’s facility at 1345 Charter Oak Avenue in St. Helena.
"We've entered into a new agreement with We Care Animal Rescue of Saint Helena... This is gonna be effective tomorrow, April 1," Salaya said.
Salaya described differences between the prior and current contracts: the previous North Bay contract was a fixed monthly arrangement (reported as $2,000 a month, or about $24,000 a year), while the new agreement is structured on a per‑animal basis and includes transportation. He said the city evaluated county options that he described as being far more expensive. Salaya characterized the We Care arrangement as a more personalized service with anticipated cost savings and closer proximity for residents.
Services and communication: Salaya said the new contractor will provide vaccinations and some veterinary work, handle animal drops and surrenders, and provide licensing services; the police department and city websites will carry information about how to access the service. He noted the police department will continue to use social media and the city website to provide details about the new provider.
What remains to be done: Staff will post operational details and contact information for We Care Animal Rescue on the city website so residents can confirm procedures for surrender, licensing and veterinary referrals. The council did not take a separate formal vote on the contract at the March 31 meeting; the city manager presented it as an administrative change that takes effect April 1.
Provenance: The city manager announced the contract change in his report (start SEG 083) and explained details through Q&A with council (concluding SEG 204).
