To: Board of Supervisors
From: Ben Winkleblack, Animal Services Director
Report Title: Add two (2) Animal Shelter Veterinarian positions in the Animal Services Department.
Recommendation: Recommendation of the County Administrator
RECOMMENDATIONS:
ADOPT Position Adjustment No. 26674 to add two (2) Animal Shelter Veterinarian - Exempt (BKS1) positions at salary plan and grade B85-1957 ($12,374.44 - $15,041.21) in the Animal Services Department. (Unrepresented)
FISCAL IMPACT:
This action is budget-neutral and will result in no additional net County cost. The estimated cost of the two (2) Shelter Veterinarian positions, including benefits, is $320,833 for FY 2026-27 (December 7, 2026, through June 30, 2027). Costs will be fully offset by reallocating existing appropriations from the Department’s contracted veterinary services budget (Org 3336, Account 2310). After funding the positions, the Department anticipates net savings of approximately $70,000 in FY 2026-27 and approximately $103,500 annually beginning in FY 2027-28.
BACKGROUND:
The Department is requesting approval to add two (2) full-time Animal Shelter Veterinarian positions, effective December 7, 2026. This increases the classification from two (2) FTE Shelter Veterinarians to four (4) FTE Shelter Veterinarians and the Department’s total authorized positions from 90 FTE to 92 FTE. This request is budget-neutral and is projected to generate savings. The positions will be funded by reallocating appropriations from the Department’s contracted veterinary services budget (3336-2310).
In FY 2025-26, the Department paid $711,944 to twelve (12) contract veterinarians to cover daily and weekly gaps in veterinary coverage. Currently, the shelter has no veterinary coverage on Sundays and only partial coverage on Saturdays. Critical cases on those days must be sent to an outside 24-hour emergency provider at additional cost. Adding two employee veterinarians will provide consistent, on-site medical coverage seven days a week, improve continuity of care and oversight of medical protocols, and reduce the Department’s reliance on contracted and emergency veterinary services.
The estimated annual cost per position, including benefits, is $275,000. For FY 2026-27, the cost of the two (2) positions for approximately seven months (December 7, 2026 through June 30, 2027) is estimated at $320,833. The Department will retain two (2) contracts for public spay/neuter and veterinary forensic services. After funding the positions, net savings are estimated at $70,000 in FY 2026-27 and $103,500 annually beginning in FY 2027-28. These savings include reduced contract costs and an estimated reduction in Sunday emergency veterinary charges.
Contracted veterinarians will be informed of the new positions and invited to apply. Once the new veterinarians are selected and their start dates confirmed, the Department will provide notice to end approximately ten (10) contracted veterinary services agreements that are no longer needed, as each contract requires, so that medical care transitions smoothly and without a lapse in coverage.
CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:
If this action is not approved, the Department will continue to rely on multiple contracted veterinarians to cover gaps in veterinary staffing, and the shelter will remain without veterinary coverage on Sundays. Critical cases on uncovered days will continue to be sent to an outside emergency provider at additional cost. The Department will not realize the estimated net savings of $70,000 in FY 2026-27 and $103,500 annually beginning in FY 2027-28 and will continue to incur the administrative costs of managing and processing multiple contracts.