Recent staffing issues will temporarily disrupt the City Animal
Shelter’s adoptive services, but officials anticipate that new
employees will be hired quickly and are adamant that the shelter
will continue to operate within the constraints of the law.
Hollister – Recent staffing issues will temporarily disrupt the City Animal Shelter’s adoptive services, but officials anticipate that new employees will be hired quickly and are adamant that the shelter will continue to operate within the constraints of the law.
The shelter usually runs under one supervisor, with three animal control officers to respond to calls from the public and two kennel assistants to keep the shelter clean and attend to the basic needs of the animals in their care, according to Police Chief Jeff Miller.
But recently one kennel assistant left to pursue full-time employment, and the other will leave at the end of the week.
“This may result in a reduction in our ability to adopt out pets, but that will be temporary,” said Miller. “We just need to get our new kennel assistants on board.” Interviews for the open position were scheduled to take place on Tuesday, but the officer scheduled to administer them fell ill and had to postpone the appointments.
“We’re aware that some people might be concerned about a staffing problem,” said Animal Shelter Supervisor Julie Cuerro.
Miller conceded that fewer pets adopted out to the public means more animals being euthanized, at least for the time being.
“The animal shelter is operating with minimum staffing,” said Miller. “Just like recreation, the police, public works, or any other city department.” Miller also insisted that the shelter will continue to operate within state guidelines.
“Of course the shelter will comply with the Hayden Law,” said Miller. “We would never violate that.”
The Hayden Law, a California state law which sets strict standards for animal shelter policy and animal cruelty laws, states that no animal shelter may euthanize an animal unless it has been held in custody for at least five days, to allow owners ample time to reclaim pets or change their minds, if they themselves took the animal to the shelter.
In June, the shelter’s busiest month, 316 animals were received, 201 were euthanized, and 52 were adopted out, according to Miller, who said his department is looking for other ways to make the shelter more efficient.
“We’re brainstorming ideas to help the shelter,” he said. “We’re considering adjusting shelter hours, for one.”
Currently, the shelter is open to the public Monday through Friday. By opening on Saturday and closing on Sunday and Monday instead, officials hope more people will be encouraged to visit and look for a pet when they have time off on the weekend.
Miller is also optimistic that the city will move forward with plans for a new animal shelter, which were once abandoned due to budget woes.
“I think that a new shelter, right next to the police department, is an excellent idea,” he said. “As the city economy brightens, the plan is to work on building a good, functioning shelter, without going overboard.”
The proposed shelter will share space with the police department, allowing Animal Control to use some of HPD’s multi-purpose space, as well as providing a more prominent location. The current shelter sits on the west end of South Street on the outskirts of town, near the sewer treatment plant.
“This will be a big convenience for the public,” said Miller. “It’s closer to town, and of course it won’t stink as bad.”
In the meantime, concerned citizens are encouraged to volunteer with the Animal Shelter to help lighten the staffing load or apply for temporary work as a kennel assistant. The shelter can be contacted at 636-4320.
