To: Board of Supervisors
From: Ben Winkleblack, Animal Services Director
Report Title: Contract with Dr. Michelle Mehalick, DVM
☒Recommendation of the County Administrator ☐ Recommendation of Board Committee
RECOMMENDATIONS:
APPROVE and AUTHORIZE the Animal Services Director, or designee, to execute a contract with Dr. Michelle Mehalick, DVM, in an amount not to exceed $235,000 to provide veterinary services and operational oversight for the period July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The cost of this contract will not exceed the amount of $235,000, funded by 58% City Contracts, 9% User Fees, and 33% County General Fund.
BACKGROUND:
Shelter Medicine Veterinarians are responsible for delivering veterinary services for the Animal Services Department, including general medical care, urgent and emergency care, and spay/neuter services for both shelter animals and those served through public programs. These services are essential to ensuring animal health, welfare, and compliance with veterinary and public health standards.
Dr. Mehalick has been designated by the Department Director to provide operational oversight of the Shelter Medicine division. In this role, Dr. Mehalick is responsible for advising on the medical care and treatment, animal welfare oversight, euthanasia decision-making, program coordination, and ensuring that all veterinary practices are conducted per applicable laws, regulations, and departmental policies.
Additionally, Dr. Mehalick will maintain responsibility for the facility’s Veterinary Premises Permit and Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) License, both of which are necessary for the legal operation of veterinary services within the shelter. Dr. Mehalick was selected as a sole-source provider due to her rare combination of qualifications, availability, and willingness to provide veterinary services in a high-volume municipal animal shelter - a setting in which few local veterinarians are willing or able to work. In addition to performing essential clinical duties, Dr. Mehalick fulfills critical operational and regulatory roles, including advising the department on shelter medical operations and guiding high-volume care protocols. She also provides both her DEA license and premise permit, which are required for the facility’s legal compliance in order to perform veterinary procedures, including surgeries, vaccinations, and euthanasia.
CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:
Failure to approve this contract for FY 25/26 would result in the loss of the Department’s Veterinary Premises Permit and Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) License, both of which are legally required for the provision of veterinary services at the shelter. In addition, the department would lack the necessary oversight for critical medical functions.