Animal control contract approved after questions on response times and shelter outcomes

The council approved a two-year memorandum of agreement with the Solano County Sheriff's Office for animal control services after extended council discussion about coverage hours, response times and shelter outcomes.

Vice Mayor Scott described a recent incident in which two loose huskies required on-the-scene assistance and said he waited a long time for animal-control help. "I waited, and I waited, and I waited... it must have been a 40 minute period from the time that I had started the connection to try to find someone to help me with the dogs," he said, urging clarity about response expectations when the service transfers to the county. The sheriff's representative and the police chief explained the contract provides 12-hour daily coverage with after-hours emergency dispatch available; the agreement text notes emergency response in about one hour and non-emergency response in about two hours, while the chief said in his experience average emergency response has been quicker, probably "about 30 minutes or so."

Public commenter Michael Hayes urged the council to advocate to the county for a no-kill shelter policy, warning that animals transferred to the county facility are often not reclaimed. "Animals that are sent up there, at least for some of them, that's gonna be a one way trip," he said. The council asked staff and the chief to clarify dispatch messaging so callers understand potential wait times; staff said they would follow up with dispatch to communicate expected wait times to the public.