Animal Control Services in the San Francisco Bay Area:
Trying to Understand How Each City and County Works
Jackie Phillips
Political Science, Post University
PSC 102 State and Local Government Unit 8 State or Local Government Issue
Michael Ferguson
Due Date: 11:59 p.m. EST, Wednesday of Unit 8
Overview: Understanding some of the issues that states and municipalities deal with helps to make you a more informed citizen. The purpose of this assignment is for you to research and analyze a state and/or local government issue.
In California, animal control is primarily handled at the local level, with each city and county establishing its own regulations and procedures. Animal control officers, who may be employed by the city, county, or contracted agencies, respond to various animal-related situations. They enforce local ordinances, investigate animal cruelty, handle stray and injured animals, and manage rabies control programs.
Each city and county handles animal control differently. It can cause extreme stress to people who have lost an animal, and they are trying to figure out the system of where their lost animal may have been taken if picked up. Then they have to navigate sometimes long drives on crowded roads during business hours just to get to the shelter.
Examples of this vast diversification is the different agencies I worked for here in the San Francisco Bay Area over a period of 10 years. The first agency I worked for was the Fremont Police Department who, in addition to running the police department for the city of Fremont, they also managed the Tri-City Animal Shelter, which is right next door to the police department. I was hired by the Police Department and put through the same exhausting background check. The Animal Control trucks said Fremont Police Department on it and so did the uniform I was required to wear. Animal Control officers were also required to attend weekly police staff meetings. Unlike the Police Department, the Animal Control Officers also covered the nearby cities of Newark and Union City.
“The Tri-City Animal Shelter is part of the Fremont Police Department and is responsible for protecting lost and injured animals as well as protecting the public from animal-carried diseases. Animal Services Officers respond to animal- related calls for service from citizens of the City of Fremont. We promote responsible pet ownership and provide licensing services for pets in the City of Fremont. It also houses lost and adoptable animals, services the cities of Fremont, Newark, and Union City.” (No author given, 2025)
The rest of Alameda County is completely different than City of Fremont and even more confusing because not only does each single city have a different agency, but then the unincorporated areas of the county, which are piecemealed and scattered throughout the county, has their own agency! Plus the County Animal Shelter is in a far distant location of the county separated by vast hillsides and freeways, so if you live in an unincorporated area of the county at one end, then you will have to go to the shelter to look for your lost animal which could be over 40 miles away!
In stark contrast and comparison to the tiny Tri-City Animal Shelter run by Fremont Police Department, after Tri-City I worked for the Peninsula Humane Society, a private Animal Welfare Organization, which was based in City of San Mateo. PHS has contracts with each city and the county of San Mateo to perform Animal Control duties for the entire county of San Mateo, which is a massive and expansive county ranging from the southern border of San Francisco, all the way south to the Santa Clara border outside of Palo Alto, and then out to the Pacific Ocean and into the San Francisco Bay! The shelter is in the northern section of the county, just south of the San Francisco Airport (SFO).
“Animal Rescue & Control
PHS/SPCA is a private, nonprofit organization contracted by San Mateo County (and its cities) to provide state-mandated animal control services, such as Animal rescue, Respond to sick or injured animals, Pick up of stray or confined domestic animals, Respond to animals loose in traffic, Removal of deceased animals from public property such as streets or sidewalks. PHS/SPCA does not respond to deceased animals on freeways/highways. These areas are maintained by CALTRANS.” (No author given, 2025)
Since 2009 I have had a small business where I help people find their lost pets with a tracking dog. My desire to start the company was predominantly based on the frustration that I saw people experience who had lost a pet while working in shelters as an Animal Control officer and earlier as a volunteer at shelters in Sonoma County, prior to moving to Fremont to become a Field Officer. My services guide them through all the steps necessary to find their pets and make sure they are checking the proper shelters and talking to the correct authorities.
The legal holding time for a stray animal in California is only three days so it is super important that people act immediately to look for their pets in the proper areas. If the animal is not claimed, then the shelter can either euthanize or adopt the animal after three days.
Animal control in California has evolved from focusing on basic public health and stray animal management to encompassing a broader range of animal welfare concerns, including animal cruelty prevention and promoting responsible pet ownership. Initially, departments were established to remove stray dogs and address issues like rabies. Over time, societal attitudes towards animals shifted, leading to a greater emphasis on humane treatment and the expansion of animal control's role.
Here's a more detailed look at the history:
Early Years (Late 1800s - Early 1900s):
Animal control departments were primarily tasked with managing stray animals, particularly dogs, and controlling the spread of diseases like rabies.
Rise of Animal Welfare Organizations:
Private organizations like the Humane Animal League in Los Angeles played a role in animal control before municipalities took over, demonstrating an early interest in humane treatment.
Shift Towards Municipal Control:
As societal values shifted, cities began establishing their own animal control departments, recognizing the need for a more systematic and humane approach to animal management.
Expansion of Services:
Animal control evolved beyond just stray animal management to include investigating animal cruelty complaints, enforcing animal-related laws, and promoting responsible pet ownership.
Modern Animal Control:
Today, animal control officers often handle a wide range of issues, including animal rescue, emergency response, wildlife management, and providing education on responsible pet care.
Here is a great group who has recently been created from the merging of two groups in California that were designed to help the industry.
“The California Animal Welfare Association ("CalAnimals") formed in 2018 through a merger between California's two statewide animal-welfare associations: California Animal Control Directors Association (CACDA) and State Humane Association of California (SHAC). CalAnimals is a 501c3 nonprofit organization. Our tax ID number is 94-1541797.
SHAC was founded in 1909 to represent local humane organizations with matters of concern to all but beyond the resources of any one organization or agency. CACDA was founded in 1976 to represent California's animal care and control professionals. Together, as one organization, we unite California's animal welfare community and provide even greater support and advocacy to our member organization.” (No author given, 2025)
Explain who and/or what is affected by the issue
Anyone who has lost a pet knows how difficult it is to attempt to navigate all the agencies and potential resources. Since animal shelters are generally businesses run by government agencies, many follow strict open times of 8 AM to 6 PM Monday through Friday. Some may be open on weekends depending on staffing. Some may have online lists of animals that are in the shelter, if the staff exists to maintain those lists. The top priority at shelter is feeding and cleaning and intake of animals since these are all required by law. Animal control is highly regulated by local laws and shelters don’t have options besides keeping animals beyond the mandatory holding time regulated by state laws.
Demonstrate why the issue is political
Since animal control is required by law throughout the state, it appears that many cities are already overwhelmed with human issues, that then taking on animal issues is more than most want to deal with. It might seem easier for the cities to contract with distant groups in other cities to solve their animal control problems or just have a local private animal welfare group take on the responsibilities.
In California, local governments, including counties and cities, are primarily responsible for budgeting and funding animal control services and shelters.
Here's how they generally approach it:
- Local Government Funding: Animal control departments and services are typically funded through local tax dollars. For example, a significant portion of the funding for a county's animal services department might come from the general fund. Cities and counties often have their own animal control departments or contract with private non-profit shelters to provide these services.
- Joint Powers Authorities (JPAs): Some jurisdictions collaborate to create JPAs, where multiple cities and a county pool resource to establish and manage an animal shelter, like the Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter (SCCAS), according to Santa Cruz County (.gov).
- Other Revenue Sources: In addition to tax dollars, animal control services can also generate revenue from:
Service Agreements: Contracting with other agencies for animal control services.
Licenses and Fines: Revenue from dog licenses and fines related to animal control violations.
Service Charges: Fees for various services like animal intake, adoption, or microchipping.
Vehicle License Fees and Sales Tax: A smaller portion of funding can come from these sources.
- State-Level Initiatives: While local governments are the primary funders, the California state government has provided some crucial support, particularly in recent years, according to UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine.
Animal Shelter Assistance Program:
In 2021, the state budget included a $45 million one-time allocation for the Animal Shelter Assistance Program, administered by the UC Davis Koret Shelter Medicine Program, to provide grants and support to shelters across the state aimed at reducing euthanasia rates. This program included grants to municipal shelters and private shelters with municipal contracts to reduce the euthanasia of healthy and treatable dogs and cats, says California for All Animals. The program also provided funding for staffing, training, and technical assistance.
Spay and Neuter Grant Programs: The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) offers competitive grant programs funded by taxpayer contributions and specialty license plate sales to support low-cost or no-cost spay and neuter services.
Pet Assistance and Support (PAS) Program: Funds have also been allocated to programs like the PAS, which provides shelter, food, and basic veterinary services for pets owned by individuals experiencing homelessness, according to California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) (.gov).
- Third-Party Donors: Grants from foundations and donations from individuals also play a role in supporting animal control services, especially for non-profit shelters.
In essence, California's animal control budgeting is a multifaceted process primarily driven by local governments, supplemented by state-level grants and programs, and supported by various revenue streams and donations.
“California Gov. Gavin Newsom has signed budget legislation that includes $45 million in one-time support for a statewide Animal Shelter Assistance Program. The program will be administered by the Koret Shelter Medicine Program, at the University of California, Davis, Center for Companion Animal Health. The increase will be used to fund grants and outreach for the state’s animal shelters over a period of five years.” (Cowitt, A., 2021)
Despite an extensive search, I could not find any open and current cases regarding this issue.
Explain the opposing sides of the debate
The only possible opposing side I would think might exist are the budget people for each jurisdiction who might consider animal control to be a service that does not deserve extensive coverage and big budgets.
What do you believe will be the outcome of the issue? Why do you believe this?
At this point I don’t see any changes that are set to be made. Animal Control agencies seem to be in a constant state of change to adapt to the needs of the citizens and funds available. Another example of this is how the current city I live in, San Leandro, has been in a constant state of change over the last 20 years. Animal Control is handled by the Police Department, which in itself is underfunded and constantly understaffed, and these reports are made regularly in the news.
The shelter used to have a nice animal shelter of its own in some hills that border on the city limits. Unfortunately, they decided not to update the shelter structurally due to its age, and then it was closed. Then the City of San Leandro contracted with the City of Fremont for several years, but unfortunately, that is a drive of over 20 miles one way in heavy traffic. Luckily, the City of San Leandro changed contracts and now works with the City of Hayward to take in strays in the city limits of San Leandro. The drive for citizens looking for their pets is now reduced to about 10 miles in heavy traffic!
References
Cowitt, A., 2021, UC Davis Veterinary Medicine, California Budget Includes Money to Help Homeless Animals, https://www.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/news/california-budget-includes-money-help-homeless-animals
No author given, 2025, Tri-City Animal Shelter, Tri-City Animal Shelter and Animal Services Officers, https://www.fremontpolice.gov/about-us/administrative-operations-division/animal-services-tri-city-animal-shelter
No author given, 2025, Peninsula Humane Society, Animal Rescue and Control, https://phs-spca.org/arc/
No author given, 2025, CalAnimals, History and Mission, https://www.calanimals.org/history-and-mission
Phillips, J., 2025, Pet Detective for Lost Pets, https://petdetective-thesocialpet.blogspot.com/
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