INTERNAL OPERATIONS COMMITTEE
Meeting Date: October 19, 2026
Subject: Annual Report on the Animal Benefit Fund
Submitted For: Ben Winkleblack
Department: Animal Services
Referral No: IOC 26/6
Referral Name: Animal Benefit Fund
Presenter: Steve Burdo, ASD Public Information Officer
Contact: Kara Galindo, Kara.Galindo@asd.cccounty.us
Referral History:
In 1988, the Animal Services Department created the Animal Benefit Fund (ABF). The purpose of the ABF is to allow the Animal Services Department to receive donations from individuals, animal welfare organizations, and businesses to support animal health and welfare projects.
On December 8, 2020, the Board of Supervisors approved Resolution No. 2020/329 authorizing the Department Director to implement the following programs within the Animal Benefit Fund:
1. Medical Assistance Program: This program provides medical and emergency veterinary care for animals within the County's jurisdiction or in the County shelter. Funds cover medical needs beyond mandated care to aid adoption, transfer, or prevent shelter intake.
2. Humane Education Program: This initiative aims to enhance humane education services within the County by either hosting individuals at the County shelter or delivering educational programs directly to the community. Additionally, the program offers support to pet owners in resolving behavioral issues that might otherwise lead to relinquishment, assists shelter animals with behavioral challenges that may impede their adoption prospects, and develops humane education curricula for school-aged children.
3. Shelter Intervention Program: Families in crisis often surrender pets due to financial struggles. This program offers resources to keep pets at home, including spay/neuter services, behavior training, fence repair, and grooming. It also aids domestic violence victims and seniors with limited income, helping them keep their pets despite financial or medical challenges.
4. Spay Neuter and Wellness Program: This program makes spaying/neutering, vaccinations, and microchips more affordable and accessible in Contra Costa County. Contra Costa Animal Services achieves this through partnerships and mobile programs that target high-need areas, focus on the species/breeds commonly found in shelters, and support community cats via TNR/RTF (trap-neuter-return / return-to-field) and Working Cat Adoptions.
Referral Update:
ANNUAL REPORT
For FY 2025/26, the Department allocated $160,000 for Animal Benefit Fund (ABF) Programs, of which $115,652 was utilized. The ABF funds are not intended to replace General Funds; rather, they are to supplement and enhance care for animals and support the public. The table below details the allocation, adjustment, and balances for each ABF program for FY 2025/26:
Recommendation(s)/Next Step(s):
ACCEPT the Fiscal Year 2025/26 Animal Benefit Fund Report.
Fiscal Impact (if any):
No fiscal impact. This report is informational. The Animal Benefit Fund collects community donations for animals in County shelters. The Animal Services Department anticipated receiving approximately $160,000 in donations for fiscal year (FY) 2025/26, with a final donation total of $229,855.