REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
AND RECORD OF ACTION
May 20, 2025
FROM
JOSHUA DUGAS, Director, Department of Public Health
SUBJECT
Title
Grant Application to the American Society for the Prevention of Animal Cruelty for Fee-waived Adoption Events
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
1. Approve the Rescue Effect Campaign grant application from the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, in the amount of $30,000, to host at least two fee-waived adoption events per month, during the months of August, September, and October 2025.
2. Authorize the Chair of the Board of Supervisors, Chief Executive Officer, or Director of the Department of Public Health, to electronically submit the grant application, and execute and submit any subsequent non-substantive amendments required to receive the grant award, subject to review by County Counsel.
3. Direct the Director of the Department of Public Health to transmit all amendments in relation to the grant application to the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors within 30 days of execution.
(Presenter: Joshua Dugas, Director, 387-9146)
Body
COUNTY AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER GOALS & OBJECTIVES
Operate in a Fiscally-Responsible and Business-Like Manner.
Provide for the Safety, Health and Social Service Needs of County Residents.
Pursue County Goals and Objectives by Working with Other Agencies and Stakeholders.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
This item will not result in the use of Discretionary General Funding (Net County Cost). The amount of grant funding offered by the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) is based on the total intake of cats and dogs in 2024. Based on the criteria, the Department of Public Health (DPH) expects to receive funding in the amount of $30,000. The grant application does not require a local match. DPH will return to the Board of Supervisors (Board) to accept funding if awarded.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
ASPCA was established in 1866 as the first animal rights organization in North America. The mission of ASCPA is to be the leading voice in animal welfare, bringing the critical cause of protecting animals to the forefront of society. In April, ASPCA notified animal welfare organizations of grant opportunities through their 2025 The Rescue Effect campaign (Campaign). The Campaign highlights the positive chain of events that occurs when people adopt, foster, volunteer, advocate and donate.
The Campaign occurs during the months of August, September, and October 2025. Throughout the Campaign, grantees are required to offer a minimum of two fee-waived adoption events per month. Grant funds may be used for adoption fee waivers, marketing and operating costs, expansions to foster programs, and costs to make pets adoption-ready (e.g., vaccinations, microchips, spay/neuter surgeries).
The terms of submitting the grant application include agreeing to allow ASPCA to use the information submitted on the application in any way it deems appropriate to support its mission to prevent cruelty to animals, including fundraising. Due to this requirement, an application was not submitted to the County Administrative Office for approval under County Policy 05-13. Although the application was originally due to ASPCA by May 5, 2025, ASPCA has granted DPH an extension while it seeks Board approval.
Recommendation No. 2 requests a delegation of authority for the Chair of the Board of Supervisors, Chief Executive Officer, or DPH Director to submit the grant application through the ASPCA grant portal, and the ability to execute any additional non-substantive amendments, which may be necessary to receive the grant award.
Approval of this item would allow DPH to offer at least six fee-waived adoption events. The waiving of fees will reduce the financial burden of pet adoption for families and individuals, allowing more cats and dogs to move from shelters to forever homes.
PROCUREMENT
Not applicable
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by County Counsel (Daniel Pasek, Deputy County Counsel, 387-9000) on April 24, 2025; Finance (Iliana Rodriguez, Administrative Analyst, 387-4205) on April 29, 2025; and County Finance and Administration (Robert Saldana, Deputy Executive Officer, 387-5423) on April 29, 2025.