Animal Wellbeing Commission 1/15/2025

The City of Sacramento Animal Wellbeing Commission met on January 15, 2025. The commission discussed planning for shelter improvements, including next steps on a needs assessment, site selection for a potential new shelter, and prioritizing interim improvements for possible City Council funding. Members also discussed developing a funding plan that could consider city, state, bond, or private-donor sources. The shelter manager reported a citywide budget deficit of $77 million but said the department had no proposed budget cuts; licensing revenue was expected to increase. A shelter audit had been returned to its vendor, and the commission had not yet received the results. No contract awards, bid approvals, or spending motions were identified.

The shelter manager reported plans for Animal Balance to provide spay/neuter services for 600 foster-to-adopt animals across scheduled visits, with additional work planned with San Diego Humane Society; no costs or procurement approvals were discussed. The commission also reviewed adoption data, shelter capacity, animal transfers, and staffing. Members approved the November minutes and adopted a process for tracking follow-up items, and elected Paul Hefner as chair and Leah Bell as vice chair for 2025. They discussed bringing a proposal to the City Council on pet ownership limits at a future meeting and requested public input before a planned weekly shelter closure begins in March.