REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
AND RECORD OF ACTION
November 19, 2024
FROM
JOSHUA DUGAS, Director, Department of Public Health
SUBJECT
Title
Grant Application to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals for Shelter Improvements
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
1. Approve grant application to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, in the amount of $95,000, for improvement to shelter play yards, animal enrichment equipment, and additional video and sound equipment within the indoor shelter spaces and visiting areas.
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 from the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, 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 grant application in the amount of $95,000 to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) does not require a match. The Department of Public Health (DPH) will return to the Board of Supervisors (Board) to accept funding, if awarded.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
ASPCA was established in 1866 and was the first animal rights organization in North America. The mission of ASCPA is to be the leading voice in animal welfare, bringing the critical protection of animals to the forefront of society. In October 2024, ASPCA notified animal welfare organizations of grant opportunities through their 2024 National Shelter Grants Initiative, which is focused to benefit the psychological health of animals. DPH recommends a grant application to ASPCA to make shelter improvements to directly impact and improve the health of animals in the care of DPH.
Enhancements proposed in the grant application include improvements to the Devore Animal Shelter play yard, such as new outdoor coverings to protect from inclement weather (including heat), new agility equipment, small wading pools, and benches. This would create a year-round space for animals to train, play, and exercise. Increased exercise and enrichment lowers an animal’s stress and anxiety and overall improves their psychological health and behavior. In addition, DPH proposes improvements to indoor shelter spaces, which include sound-proofing in specific intake spaces, along with new televisions and sound equipment in kennel and visitor areas. Controlling sound pollution and noise can prevent animals from becoming overstimulated and stressed. The televisions and sound system are used to provide soothing music and videos, which have been shown to calm distressed animals. When not in use for animal benefit, televisions will also be utilized to provide information regarding volunteer programs and upcoming adoption or fundraising events for facility visitors.
Terms of submitting the grant application include a term which agrees to allow ASPCA to utilize the information submitted on the application in any way it deems appropriate to support its mission to prevent cruelty to animals, including fundraising. Because of this requirement, this application was not submitted to the County Administrative Office for approval under County Policy 05-13, as it would legally bind the County to the grant term through the submittal of the application. Though the application was originally due to ASPCA on October 25, 2024, ASPCA has granted DPH an extension while seeking 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.
DPH recommends approval of the grant application, as this funding will allow the department to make critical improvements to shelter spaces, and improve animal psychological health, thereby increasing potential adoptions as animals will exhibit calming behaviors in a less stressful environment.
PROCUREMENT
Not applicable.
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by County Counsel (Daniel Pasek, Deputy County Counsel, 387-5455) on October 28, 2024; Finance (Iliana Rodriguez, Administrative Analyst, 387-4205) on October 31, 2024; and County Finance and Administration (Robert Saldana, Deputy Executive Officer, 387-5423) on October 31, 2024.