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APPROVE MOTION TO EXECUTE AN AMENDMENT TO THE STANDARD AGREEMENT WITH HARD LUCK ANIMAL WELFARE ADVOCATES IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $789,389
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APPROVE MOTION TO EXECUTE AN AMENDMENT TO THE STANDARD AGREEMENT WITH HARD LUCK ANIMAL WELFARE ADVOCATES IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $789,389
recommended action
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council approve a motion to:
1. Authorize the City Manager, or designee, to approve Standard Agreement Amendment No. 3 with Hard Luck Animal Welfare Advocates, for on-site veterinarian service for a total contract amount not to exceed $789,389
2. Approve findings which support and justify an exception to the competitive bidding process pursuant to Stockton Municipal Code section 3.68.070(A)(3), where the City held a competitive Request for Proposals.
3. It is further recommended that the City Manager, or designee, is hereby authorized and directed to make any and all expenditures and appropriations on behalf of the City as appropriate and necessary to carry out the purpose and intent of this motion.
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Summary
Hard Luck Animal Welfare Advocates (HLAWA) began supporting the Stockton Animal Shelter in 2023 by providing on-site veterinarian services through their existing contract with the City. The City does not have an allocated position for a veterinarian, making this partnership essential for maintaining animal health and achieving positive outcomes. To meet the growing needs of the community and operate the City's newly purchased satellite animal resource center, the City proposes expanding the positions covered under this contract to include additional staffing necessary for expanded veterinary services, community outreach, and enhanced adoption operations. Without adequate staffing to provide these essential services, the substantial improvements made to the Shelter's Live Release Rate over the last several years would be at risk.
DISCUSSION
Background
The City of Stockton is facing an ongoing pet overpopulation crisis, with stray animal intakes consistently exceeding shelter capacity. A significant contributing factor to this crisis is the community's limited access to affordable and timely veterinary care, particularly spay/neuter services. Without these preventive measures, unwanted litters of puppies and kittens continue to enter the community, increasing the stray animal population and perpetuating the cycle of overpopulation. This situation places an ongoing strain on shelter operations, extends animal length of stay, and challenges the City's ability to maintain compliance with State Health & Safety codes requiring the provision of basic medical and sheltering services.
To address these challenges and expand services, the City has purchased a satellite building with the intent of offering more resources to the community, including expanded veterinary capacity, community outreach programs, and enhanced shelter operations. These enhanced operations will include an off-site adoption site that provides a calmer, less overwhelming environment for both animals and adopters, directly increasing the number of adoptions to the public. Contracting necessary staffing for the satellite building will ensure the City can provide expanded veterinary services, increase adoptions through a dedicated off-site location, address the ongoing pet overpopulation crisis, and meet both community expectations and legal obligations.
Present Situation
There is continued public support to address the ongoing pet overpopulation crisis, reduce the number of animals entering the Shelter, and maintain humane care and outcomes for the animals in our custody. The City of Stockton Animal Services and HLAWA share the same mission and values of working to reduce the unwanted pet population and providing as many resources as possible to the community. Expanding HLAWA's existing contract to include the additional staffing required for the City's satellite animal resource center will allow for enhanced services, including increased access to veterinary care, expanded community outreach programs, and the operation of an off-site adoption location.
These services are intended to reduce the number of animals entering the Shelter system by addressing the root causes of overpopulation such as lack of access to spay and neuter services while also increasing adoptions through a calmer and more accessible off-site environment. Expansion of these services will ensure the City continues to meet its legal obligations under State Health and Safety codes.
The proposed change order to the current Standard Agreement with HLAWA will provide the staff needed to operate these enhanced services for the community. The existing term of the agreement remains unchanged, ensuring continuity of services with a trusted partner while strengthening the City's long-term ability to respond to community needs and improve animal welfare outcomes.
FINANCIAL SUMMARY
The proposed cost of this amendment is not to exceed the amount of $789,389, with a total contract amount of $6,354,344. Funding for these additional services is included in the FY 2025-26 Police Department's Animal Shelter General Fund budget.
Attachment A - Hard Luck Animal Welfare Advocates Standard Agreement Amendment 3