To: Board of Supervisors
From: Internal Operations Committee
Report Title: FY 2022/23 ANIMAL BENEFIT FUND REPORT
☐Recommendation of the County Administrator ☒ Recommendation of Board Committee
RECOMMENDATIONS:
ACCEPT report prepared by the Animal Services Director on FY 2022/23 Animal Benefit Fund receipts and expenditures.
FISCAL IMPACT:
No fiscal impact to the General Fund. This is an informational report on the Animal Benefit Fund with recommendations that will not affect the amount of general funds allocated for animal services and programs, but rather how donated funds can be expended.
BACKGROUND:
In 1988, the Animal Services Department created the Animal Benefit Fund (ABF). The purpose of the ABF is to receive donations from individuals, animal welfare organizations and businesses to support animal health and welfare projects.
On April 21, 2015, during fiscal year 2015/16 budget hearings, the Board of Supervisors formally referred to the Internal Operations Committee (IOC) a review of the Animal Benefit Fund. On April 19, 2016, the Board of Supervisors approved, at the recommendation of the IOC, expansion of the Animal Benefit Fund approved uses and directed the Animal Services Director to report annually to the IOC about the impact of the Animal Benefit Fund on the community and families, creating a new standing referral. The IOC has previously received six such reports for FYs 2016/17 through 2021/22. The IOC received and accepted the FY 2022/23 report on October 2, 2023 and forwards it to the Board today for information.
Since the creation of the Animal Benefit Fund 35 years ago, monetary contributions and donations for services and supplies for animal welfare have provided additional support for unfunded needs of the animals impounded at the shelter and in our community. These donations have come in the form of grants, or gifts over the counter or via the Animal Services Department website.
On December 8, 2020, the Board of Supervisors adopted Resolution No. 2020/329, which authorized the Department Director to implement the following programs within the Animal Benefit Fund:
1. Medical Assistance Program: This program is for medical assistance and emergency veterinary care for animals that are in the County's jurisdiction and/or have been accepted into the County shelter’s care. Funds will be used for medical care over and above the mandated medical care for animals in the care of the shelter and who need further assistance to be made available for adoption or released to a transfer agency. Funds may also be used to provide necessary medical care to an animal to help keep the animal out of the shelter.
2. Humane Education Program: This program helps to support humane education services in our county either by bringing people into County shelter or taking County education programs “on the road” into the community. Humane Education support may also be used to help pet owners resolve behavioral problems that might otherwise cause them to give up their pet, to help shelter animals with behavioral issues that might keep them from being easily adopted, and to create humane education programs for school age children.
3. Shelter Intervention Program: Often, families in a crisis turn to surrendering their pet to a shelter due to lack of financial resources. The intervention program helps to provide resources to keep animals in their homes. Examples of intervention tools: spay/neuter, behavior/training assistance, fence repair and grooming. This program may also be used to help domestic violence victims or seniors on limited incomes to keep their pets in their lives when they may otherwise have had to consider relinquishment due to lack of funds for basic daily needs or medical concerns.
4. Spay Neuter and Wellness Program: This program would make spay/neuter, vaccinations, and microchips more affordable and accessible in Contra Costa County. Contra Costa Animal Services will accomplish this by establishing partnerships and developing mobile programs to reach into the areas of our county in greatest need, targeting the species/breeds of animals most likely to be found in our shelter, and supporting healthy community cats through TNR/RTF (trap-neuter-return / return- to-field) and Working Cat Adoptions.
ANNUAL REPORT
For FY 2022/23, the Department allocated $240,000 for ABF Programs. The ABF funds are not intended to replace General Funds, rather they are to supplement and enhance care for animals and support of the public. The table below details the allocation, adjustment, and balances for each ABF program for FY 2022/23:
|
ABF Fund 133200 |
Amount |
|
|
|
|
Beginning balance |
$547,968 |
|
|
|
|
22/23 Expenditures |
$186,307 |
|
|
|
|
22/23 Revenue |
$510,926 |
|
|
|
|
Ending Balance: |
$872,587 |
|
|
|
The key factors that affected the FY 2022/23 ABF budget were:
1. The Animal Welfare industry has seen a significant increased cost in spay and neuter services, which are considered elective surgery for pets by medical providers. In addition to the cost for services, the animal welfare industry has also seen a challenge in the recruitment and retention for medical staff, including veterinarians and registered veterinary technicians. These challenges have not only increased the cost for these services, but also the accessibility of these services throughout the county.
2. The Department exceeded its donation/grant revenue goal estimated at $210,000 by over $300,000 for FY 2022/23. The Department received a $100,000 grant from UC Davis for spay and neuter services and $200,000 for outreach and engagement, along with assessing the Department’s strategic plan.
CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:
None. This is an informational report.