After Damning Report, Animal Services Making Improvements

Eight months after the American Humane Association published a fairly damning assessment of the county’s Animal Services program, an advisory board of government staff and community partners tasked with reform happily reported to the supervisors this week that real improvements are being made. The program is now tracking reasons for owner surrender, conducts daily rounds at its three shelters, and ensures contaminated equipment is disinfected or discarded. But more work remains, they reminded, such as installing fire-alarm systems and finally drafting contracts with longtime partners like DAWG (Dog Adoption & Welfare Group) and ASAP (Animal Shelter Assistance Group). The advisory board will update the supervisors in another six months, this time with recommendations on an entirely new operations model.