HomeMy WebLinkAboutRes 2019-01 - Pet Adoption Reimbursement PolicyMEETING DATE
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REQUEST:
Recommendation
STAFF REPORT
CITY OF PALM DESERT
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT
January 10, 2019
Pedro Rodriguez, Code Compliance Supervisor
Request for approval to amend the current policy related to Pet
Adoptions for Palm Desert residents to include reimbursement for
adoptions generated from nonprofit organizations located within the
City.
Waive further reading and adopt Resolution No. 2019-� approving a Pet Adoption
Reimbursement Policy authorizing reimbursement for Pet Adoptions from the
Coachella Valley Animal Campus or any nonprofit organization located within the City.
Strateaic Plan Obiective
This item is not associated with any identifiable objectives within the Palm Desert Strategic
Plan.
Executive Summary
Approval of staff's recommendation will amend the current pet adoption reimbursement
program to include reimbursement to Palm Desert residents who adopt pets from any
nonprofit organization located within the city in addition to the Riverside County Department
of Animal Services Shelter. The cost will continue to be paid by the City for Palm Desert
residents as budgeted during this fiscal year.
Backaround Analvsis
In 2010, staff responded to a request by the City Council to explore and recommend programs
designed to enhance animal care services to the community and to assist in the placement
of animals deserving of a good home. Staff recommended funding a program to reimburse
Palm Desert residents the cost for adoption of pets. The program has been in effect for the
past eight (8) years. However, the current program only permits reimbursement for adoptions
from the Riverside County Department of Animal Services Shelter.
Based on a recent request made by the City Council to include nonprofit organizations in the
pet adoption reimbursement program, City staff is proposing an amendment to the current
policy to include any nonprofit organizations within the City. The cost of adoption charged by
the county will be used as a base for the amount the City will reimburse for adoptions from
January 10, 2019 — City Council Staff Report
Amendment to the Pet Adoption Reimbursement Program
Page 2 of 2
nonprofit organizations. The current cost for adoption from the county is approximately $55
to $115.
Fiscal Analvsis
Staff budgets approximately $15,000 annually for the current adoption reimbursement
program (Fund 1104230). On average, the City reimburses 40 (+/-) adoptions per fiscal year
(last 3-years) at an approximate cost $100 each. Based on the current amount of funding
available staff does not believe the proposed expansion to this policy will have a significant
fiscal impact. If approved, staff will monitor reimbursements to ensure adequate funding is
available through the annual budget process.
LEGAL REVIEW DEPT. REVIEW FINANCIAL REVIEW CITY MANAGER
Robert W. Hargreaves Ryan Stendell Janet Moo -e Lauri Aylaian
City Attorney Director of Community Director of Finance City Manager
Development
ATTACHMENTS: 1. Approved City Council Staff Report (September 23, 2010)
2. Copy of Riverside County Adoption Rate Schedule
RESOLUTION NO. 2019- 1
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALM DESERT,
CALIFORNIA, ESTABLISHING A PET ADOPTION REIMBURSEMENT
POLICY FOR THE CITY OF PALM DESERT.
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Palm Desert, California, did on the 231d
day of September 2010, authorize reimbursement of pet adoption fees from adoptions from
the Riverside County Department of Animal Services.
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Palm Desert, California, did on the 10th
day of January 2019, consider a request by the CITY OF PALM DESERT for approval to
establish a Pet Adoption Reimbursement Policy, as identified on Exhibit "A; and;
WHEREAS, said City Council did find the following facts and reasons to exist to
approve said request:
1. The City has studied Pet Adoption Reimbursement Policies and found the
proposed policy to be appropriate. The proposed policy incentivizes residents
to adopt pets from a shelter or not -for -profit agency, which means pets are
being spayed or neutered prior to being placed in a home.
2. Spaying and neutering helps control the overall animal population and lowers
the number of dogs and cats being euthanized within the region.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Palm
Desert, California, as follows:
1. That the above recitations are true and correct and constitute the findings of
the City Council in this case.
2. That the City Council does hereby establish fees as identified on Exhibit "A"
of this resolution.
PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the Palm Desert
City Council, held on this 101h day of January 2019, by the following vote, to wit:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
Susan Marie Weber, Mayor
ATTEST:
RACHELLE D. KLASSEN, CITY CLERK
CITY OF PALM DESERT, CALIFORNIA
RESOLUTION NO. 2019- 1
EXHIBIT "A"
PET ADOPTION REIMBURSEMENT POLICY
Backaround:
The City of Palm Desert has demonstrated commitment to municipal animal services
by investing money and resources in the Coachella Valley Animal Campus to assure
valley animals have a safe harbor in the desert. The Coachella Valley Animal
Campus houses, on average, 300 dogs and cats at any one time.
To incentivize pet adoptions in 2010, the City Council authorized the reimbursement
of pet adoption fees from the Coachella Valley Animal Campus. Annually the City's
program funds and average of 40-pet adoptions. In an effort to further increase pet
adoptions, staff is proposing to expand reimbursement to residents for animals
adopted from the Coachella Valley Animal Campus and Nonprofit Organizations
within the City.
Policv Procedure:
Residents seeking reimbursement for Pet Adoptions are required to submit the
following information to the Community Development Department:
1. Proof of residency within the City of Palm Desert
2. Receipt having paid for Pet Adoption from one of the following sources:
a. Coachella Valley Animal Campus
b. Nonprofit Organizations (501 {c}) with offices located within the City of
Palm Desert
Terms and Conditions:
1. Nonprofit organizations must meet the IRS criteria to be classified as nonprofit
and may be required to provide proof of current tax exempt status pursuant to
26 U.S.C. 501.
2. Reimbursement rates shall be commensurate with the approved Riverside
County fee schedule for adoptions.
4
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CITY OF PALM DESERT
DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
STAFF REPORT
REQUEST: PROPOSAL TO REIMBURSE THE FEES FOR PET ADOPTIONS
FOR PALM DESERT RESIDENTS WHO ADOPT ANIMALS FROM
THE RIVERSIDE COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF ANIMAL
SERVICES SHELTER
SUBMITTED BY: Pedro Rodriguez, Senior Code Compliance Officer
DATE: September 23, 2010
Recommendation
By Minute Motion, that the City Council:
1. Approve reimbursement of the fees for pet adoptions for Palm Desert
residents who adopt animals from the Riverside County Department of
Animal Services Shelter.
2. Appropriate $16,500 from the General Fund Reserve to Account
No. 110-4230-442-3090.
Executive Summary
The City's current Animal Services Field and Shelter Contracts allow the Riverside
County Department of Animal Services (DAS) to provide all aspects of animal service
and care to Palm Desert residents. in response to a request from the City Council, Staff
is proposing an adoption program with Riverside County Department of Animal
Services, to reimburse Palm Desert residents who adopt from the Riverside County
Animal Services Shelter.
iBackaround
Due to animal shelter overcrowding brought on by economic hardships, it is important
that municipal animal services care for and place adoptable animals into responsible,
caring homes. The City of Palm Desert has demonstrated its commitment by investing
money and resources in the Coachella Valley Animal Campus to assure that city and
valley animals that need a home have a safe harbor in the desert. The Coachella Valley
Animal Campus houses, on average, 300 dogs and cats at any one time. The average
monthly adoption rate of pets adopted by Palm Desert residents is approximately 15
animals.
Staff Report IL
Cost of Pet Adoption
September.23, 2010
Page 2 of 3
In response to a request by Councilmember Benson to explore and recommend
programs designed to enhance animal care services to the community, and to assist in
the placement of animals deserving of a good home, Staff is recommending the funding
to cover the cost of pet adoptions for Palm Desert residents who adopt from the
Riverside County Department of Animal Services Shelter. Reimbursement would be
made to individuals who present proof of residence and a paid receipt for having
adopted an animal from the shelter between October 1, 2010, and the end of the
2010/2011 fiscal year.
According to statistics provided by the Riverside County Department of Animal
Services, during calendar year 2009 a total of 166 pets were adopted by Palm Desert
residents. For calendar year 2010 year to date, Palm Desert residents have adopted
165 pets.
Based on the statistics provided by DAS and the different costs listed below for adoption
of dogs and cats, the average cost would be approximately $109 per dog and $90 per
cat. The approximate cost to fund this adoption program for Palm Desert residents
would be $16,500. Significant changes in the adoption rate would impact the estimated
budget, as could continuation of a temporary fee reduction currently offered by the
County.
The standard rates for Palm Desert residents to adopt an animal are as follows:
Dogs
$105 Dogs under the age of 4 months.
$113 Dogs over the age of 4 months.
$75 Dogs under the age of 4 months that are being adopted by a senior and/or
disabled person.
$81 Dogs over the age of 4 months old being adopted by a senior and/or disabled
person.
All dog adoptions include a flea treatment, first set of boosters, spay or neuter,
microchip, rabies vaccination, and dewormer. The license fee is included in the price
for dogs over the age of 4 months.
Cata:
$55 Cats adopted by seniors and/or disabled persons.
$85 Cats adopted by all others.
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Staff Report
Cost of Pet Adoption
September 23, 2010
Page 3 of 3
No license is issued for cats. All cat adoptions include a flea treatment, first set of
boosters, spay or neuter, microchip, rabies vaccination, and dewormer. For an
additional fee of $12, the resident may purchase a feline leukemia test (this is an option
only).
Fiscal Analvsls
Funding for this adoption program is not included in the current budget. The total fiscal
impact would depend on the number of animals adopted by residents through the end of
the fiscal year. The recommended program would allow for adoption of up to 165
animals and would require that the full amount be appropriated from General Fund
Reserves. A temporary program offered by the County that reduces adoption fees to
$20 for dogs and $15 for cats could significantly reduce the cost of the proposed
program, but the duration of this temporary fee reduction is uncertain.
Submitted by:
Pedro Rodriguez
Senior Code Com nce Officer
Paul S. Gibson, Director of Finance
Wohimuth, City Manager
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Department Head:
Lauri Aylaian
Director of Community Development
CITY COUNCIL#MON
APPROVED
RECEIVED
NOES:
ABSENT=
ABSTAIN:
VERIFIED BY -.Li
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Riverside County Department of Animal Services - Adoptable Pets Page 2 of 3
This includes the animal's spaylneuter surgery, a microchip and vaccinations. Cats are not required to
have a license in Riverside County.
All animals listed under Adoptable Pets are available for adoption. Pets listed here have met the
minimum required retention period allowed for owners to identify and have their pet returned to them.
ADOPTION FEES
Description
Dogs
0- IS Days $105
16-30 Days $55
31 Days and Over $20
Fees
Senior Adoption Rates
50% Off
Active Duty and Veteran Adoption Rates
Free
Cats
Kitten 8wks-4mos
$65
Kitten 5mos-1 yr
$45
Cat Over 1yr
$25
Senior Adoption Rates
50% Off
Active Duty and Veteran Adoption Rates
Free
hups:llwww.rcdas.org/index.php/adopt?tmpl=component&print=l 12/26/2018