HomeMy WebLinkAbout01. Media Advisory 08.21.13
MEDIA ADVISORY
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT:
August 21, 2013 Steven Teglia
Asst. to the City Manager
(661) 326-3751
The City of Bakersfield’s current one-year operational/lease agreement with the
County of Kern for the sheltering of stray and otherwise unwanted City animals
expires on September 30, 2013.
On May 3, 2013 the City provided the County with a written draft of a two-year
Interim Animal Shelter Agreement. This draft agreement came as a result of the
mutually agreed upon direction developed by the City and County through multiple
meetings of the Metro Bakersfield Animal Control Committee, the last of which was
held on March 13, 2013.
As of this date, over 100 days have come and gone, and the City has yet to receive
the County’s proposed revisions to the draft agreement, which was provided on May
3, 2013 (over three and a half months ago).
The County’s continued lack of responsiveness, cooperation and courtesy, coupled
with the City’s misgivings about the level of care and service being provided by the
Kern County Animal Shelter (concerns that are continually brought to the City’s
attention by local animal welfare advocates), have forced the City to take action.
After much thought and reflection, the City of Bakersfield has decided to separate
from the County of Kern and operate its own animal care facility to provide
appropriate shelter and care for the stray and otherwise unwanted animals from the
Media Advisory August 21, 2013
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____________________________________________________________________ City of Bakersfield ● City Manager’s Office ● 1600 Truxtun Avenue Bakersfield ● California ● 93301 (661) 326-3751 ● Fax (661) 324-1850
City of Bakersfield. As such, the City has provided official notice to the County that
their lease and the operational agreement between the City and the County expire
on September 30, 2013, thus requiring the County to vacate the current shelter by the
close of business on September 30, 2013 (see attached letter).
The City understands that the County may desire to continue its operations at the Mt.
Vernon shelter past September 30th, and, to accommodate that circumstance, the
City has provided the County with an option to remain at the Mt. Vernon location
through December 1, 2013, to allow time for the necessary transition of the facility.
The City is currently in the process of developing partnerships with the Bakersfield
SPCA and Bakersfield Homeless Center to facilitate the City’s new shelter operations.
As such, City staff expects to bring forward in September new agreements with the
SPCA and Homeless Center for Council approval.
While some may view this action as an unfortunate result of the County’s inactions,
the City views this as a great opportunity to forge a new model focused on improving
the care and ultimate outcome of stray and otherwise unwanted animals in the City
of Bakersfield.
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