title
ADOPT A RESOLUTION TO EXECUTE A ONE-YEAR AGREEMENT WITH THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA ON BEHALF OF ITS DAVIS CAMPUS SCHOOL OF VETERINARY MEDICINE, KORET SHELTER MEDICINE PROGRAM IN SUPPORT OF THE STOCKTON ANIMAL SHELTER
recommended action
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council adopt a resolution to:
1. Authorize the City Manager, or designee, to accept funds from the Regents of the University of California on behalf of its Davis Campus School of Veterinary Medicine, Koret Shelter Medicine Program, in the amount of $200,000 for the purpose of improving the Shelter’s animal health and adoptability;
2. Authorize the City Manager or designee to execute this grant and all related documents to carry out the purpose and intent of the grant award;
3. Amend the Fiscal Year 2023-24 Annual Budget to increase the Police Special Grants Revenue Fund, Animal Shelter Funds’ revenue and expenditure appropriation by $200,000;
4. Authorize the City Manager or designee, to take all necessary and appropriate actions to carry out the purpose and intent of this resolution.
body
Summary
On September 25, 2023, the City submitted an application to participate in a grant being offered in partnership between UC Davis Koret Shelter Medicine Program (KSMP) and the California for All Animals statewide animal shelter assistance program for $200,000. The proposed Shelter Services Agreement will fund two part-time rescue coordinators, two part-time foster coordinators, an off-site adoption trailer, and increase cat Trap Neuter Release (TNR) surgery days.
The City was notified of the approved grant award of $200,000 from the UC Davis KSMP in October 2023. Staff are requesting City Council amend the Fiscal Year (FY) 2023-24 budget to accept the allocated funds, appropriate revenue, and expenditure budgets within the Stockton Police Department (SPD) to support the Stockton Animal Shelter (SAS) services.
DISCUSSION
Background
With the SAS cat and dog adoption rates on the decline since 2019, euthanasia rates have increased from 4% in 2021 to 8% in 2022. The proposed Shelter Services Agreement aims to reduce the euthanasia rate and provide essential positions to ensure sick and injured animals are positively placed so that they can receive the necessary care to be ready for adoption.
In March of 2022, the City applied for a $5,000 grant being offered by the California for All Animals statewide animal shelter assistance program in partnership with UC Davis Koret Shelter Medicine Program (KSMP). The SAS was awarded $5,000 for microchips and vaccinations for up to 100 of the City’s unsheltered animal population. The California for All Animals team is dedicated to addressing the imbalance between the demands on California animal shelters and their capacity to care for animals in need by providing financial resources, training, and partnership opportunities with the goal of keeping animals with their people. The UC Davis KSMP is a privately funded program that relies on generous donations and has a mission to serve as change agents who inform and inspire shelter leaders to implement a humane, community-centered approach to animal care and shelter management.
The proposed Shelter Services Agreement will fund two part-time rescue coordinators, two part-time foster coordinators, an off-site adoption trailer, and increase TNR surgery days. The off-site adoption trailer will be a tremendous help in reaching more of the community as well as providing more exposure to the SAS’s adoptable animals. The two part-time rescue coordinator and two part-time foster coordinator positions will assist Stockton residents with one-to-one interactions with prospective family pets and free up much-needed space for incoming residents. These positions will work alongside Stockton residents to adopt more animals, providing them with safe and loving homes, opening more space for animals coming in, and connecting many lost animals with their families, preventing overcrowding in the SAS.
Lastly, increasing the monthly TNR surgery days will be very beneficial to many residents who aren’t able to attend the current days offered. Providing more monthly TNR surgeries will prevent unwanted pregnancies as well as overcrowding in the SAS.
Present Situation
With the current inflation, a substantial rise in veterinary care costs, and rising rents, families are opting not to adopt, putting the SAS at critical capacity and impacting the Live Release Rate. Funding two part-time rescue coordinators, two part-time foster coordinators, and an off-site adoption trailer, as well as providing more TNR surgeries, will greatly benefit the SAS and continually improve humane care and outcomes at the SAS. The SAS plans to hire limited-term part-time Program Specialist coordinators through the Human Resources Department’s recruitment process. As itemized in Exhibit A of Exhibit 1 to the Proposed Resolution, the estimated annual salary cost for each coordinator position is $44,855. The estimated annual cost for the increased TNR surgery days is $53,760, and the estimated annual cost for the off-site adoption trailer is $56,530, which will be procured in coordination with Public Works Fleet.
Without continued support for sheltering services, the improvements made to the SAS’s Live Release Rate over the last several years would suffer. Therefore, staff recommends approval of the UCD Shelter Services Agreement in the amount of $200,000 (Exhibit 1 to the Proposed Resolution).
FINANCIAL SUMMARY
The prepaid grant award of $200,000, with a no-match requirement, will have no fiscal impact on the General Fund or any other restricted fund. Funds will be received upon execution of the UCD Shelter Services Agreement. Funding will be received to and appropriated from the FY 2023-24 Police Department Special Grants Revenue Fund, Animal Shelter Fund Account.