HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-07-09 - AGENDA REPORTS - 2024 ANIMAL CARE GRANT AWARDAgenda Item: 11
1. CITY OF SANTA CLARITA
AGENDA REPORT
CONSENT CALENDAR
CITY MANAGER APPROVAL: TAA,/�
DATE: July 9, 2024
SUBJECT: 2024 ANIMAL CARE GRANT AWARD RECOMMENDATIONS
DEPARTMENT: Community Development
PRESENTER: Tracy Sullivan
RECOMMENDED ACTION
City Council:
1. Approve the 2024 Animal Care Grant Committee's funding recommendations in an amount
not to exceed $10,000 per grantee, for a total amount not to exceed $40,000.
2. Direct staff to execute Grant Agreements with the agencies approved for funding.
3. Authorize the City Manager or designee to execute all documents, subject to City Attorney
approval.
BACKGROUND
In 2022, the City of Santa Clarita (City) commissioned a professional consulting firm, Citygate
and Associates LLC (Consultant), to conduct a comprehensive evaluation of animal care and
control services being provided to City residents. The study was initiated to assess the adequacy
of services provided under the existing contract with the Los Angeles County Department of
Animal Care and Control (DACC) and to identify opportunities to enhance those services.
At the Regular City Council Meeting on May 9, 2023, the City Council received a presentation
on the Consultant's findings and directed staff to implement a series of service enhancements,
including the creation of a grant program to support local non-profit organizations caring for
vulnerable animals within the community.
At the Regular City Council Meeting on July 11, 2023, the City Council approved the framework
of the City's first Animal Care Non -Profit Grant Program (Program) and allocated an annual
budget of $50,000. To receive funding through the Program, organizations must be a locally
serving non-profit that supports animals residing within, or rescued from, City limits.
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2024 Grant Cycle
The 2024 Grant cycle commenced in January 2024 with a focus on increasing adoptions at the
Castaic Animal Care Center and expanding citywide spay and neuter services. The available
funding was divided into two categories: Spay and Neuter Grants and General Support Grants.
Interested non-profit organizations were required to complete an online application, including
submission of 501(c)(3) certification documentation. The application period was open from
January 25 to March 11, 2024. Outreach efforts included a press release and various social media
posts throughout the application period. City staff also conducted direct outreach to eligible non-
profit organizations and held a public information session on January 30.
The City received four grant applications, all under the General Support category, with no
applications for the Spay and Neuter Grants. In response, the City issued a Request for Proposals
(RFP) to solicit organizations that perform spay and neuter services, specifically focusing on
trap -neuter -release methods for stabilizing community cat populations. The RFP was posted on
BidNet on April 22, 2024. Four organizations downloaded the RFP; however, no proposals were
submitted.
A Grants Committee (Committee), comprised of Councilmember Jason Gibbs, Councilmember
Laurene Weste, and three staff members from the City Manager's Office and Administrative
Services Department, reviewed and rated the four General Support Grant applications.
Following a thorough review process, the Committee recommends awarding grants to all of the
applicants. Initially, the Program intended to provide General Support Grants not exceeding
$3,500 per non-profit organization; however, the Committee recommends that the City Council
consider awarding $10,000 to each applicant due to community need and available funding. The
recommended organizations and programs are listed in the table below.
Non-profit Organization
Proposed Program
The Brittany Foundation
Rescue Only Training Program: Rescuing dogs from the Castaic
Animal Care Center that need expert training so they are given
the best possible chance of finding a forever home.
Furever Purr Rescue
Foster and Hospice Care for Seniors and Special Needs
Community Cats: Providing ongoing care, medication, housing,
and necessities from unadoptable cats requiring specialized
attention.
Golden Years Dog Sanctuary
Rescuing Senior Dogs for the Castaic Animal Care Center:
Saving the lives of dogs that Castaic Animal Care Center does
not have the capacity to care for.
Outta the Cage
Operation Gampr Scampr: Saving livestock guardian dogs from
the Castaic Animal Care Center and transporting them to a
training partner in rural communities.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION
Other action as determined by the City Council.
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FISCAL IMPACT
Upon approval, adequate funds are available in expenditure account 1003203-517101 (Animal
Care — Grants) to support the recommended action.
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