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Record of Proceedings

Animal Wellbeing Commission Regular Meeting Summary - May 13, 2026

Animal Wellbeing Commission — Wednesday, May 13, 2026
BodySacramento, California
SessionAnimal Wellbeing Commission
DateWednesday, May 13, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 2:54:42
Transcript — Verbatim
0:34

Good evening.

0:35

Welcome to Wednesday.

0:45

Rule to establish a quorum.

0:47

Yes, thank you, Chair.

0:48

Commissioners, if you can please unmute your microphones.

0:51

Commissioner Tree?

0:53

Here.

0:53

Commissioner Wells?

0:54

Here.

0:55

Commissioner Verga.

0:57

Commissioner Contreras?

0:58

Here.

0:59

Commissioner Hayes?

1:00

Here.

1:00

Commissioner Bergen?

1:02

Here.

1:02

Commissioner Bell?

1:03

Here.

1:04

Commissioner Benedict?

1:05

Here.

1:05

Vice Chair Bagley?

1:06

Here.

1:07

Commissioner Christie is absent.

1:09

Commissioner Asquith?

1:10

Here.

1:11

Commissioner Pew?

1:13

Here.

1:13

Commissioner Garcia.

1:15

Here.

1:15

Commissioner Morris?

1:16

Here.

1:17

And Chair McDoll.

1:18

Here.

1:18

Thank you.

1:19

We have a quorum.

1:20

Thank you.

1:21

I would like to remind members of the public and chamber that if you'd like to speak on an agenda item, please turn in a speaker slip before the item begins.

1:29

After the item is called, we will no longer accept speaker slips.

1:32

You'll have two minutes to speak once you're called on.

1:35

And we will now proceed with today's agenda.

1:41

Uh first off is land acknowledgement and pledge.

1:49

Sure.

1:51

Everyone, please stand if you're able.

1:59

To the original people of this land.

2:02

The Ninason people, the Southern Maidu, Valley and Plains Miwok, Pat Wynwinton Peoples, and the people of the Wilton Rancheria, Sacramento's own only federally recognized tribe.

2:14

May we acknowledge and honor the native people who came before us and still walk beside us today on these ancestral lands by choosing to gather together today in the active practice of acknowledgement and appreciation for Sacramento's indigenous people's history, contributions, and lives.

2:34

Thank you.

2:39

To the flag of the United States of America, to the public for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all.

2:57

Thank you.

2:58

Next is the approval of the consent calendar.

3:01

Clerk, are there any members of the public who wish to speak on the consent calendar?

3:05

Thank you, Chair.

3:06

We do not have any speakers for the consent.

3:10

Are there any commissioners who wish to speak on the consent calendar?

3:14

It's like Commissioner Verga or Contreras.

3:26

And oh sorry, yeah.

3:28

Actually, let me do this and then we'll introduce our new members.

3:35

Okay, Commissioner Contreras?

3:38

Oh, okay.

3:39

Thank you.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Animal Services█████████████████████████████████████████████90%
Procedural████8%
Code Enforcement█2%
Summary of Proceedings

Animal Wellbeing Commission Regular Meeting Summary - May 13, 2026

The Sacramento Animal Wellbeing Commission held a regular meeting on May 13, 2026, from 5:33 p.m. to 8:27 p.m. at City Hall. The commission discussed shelter redemption procedures, spay/neuter incentives, prioritized future discussion items, and received a monthly manager’s report. Key decisions included sending a recommendation to amend the city ordinance regarding redemption fees and mandatory spay/neuter.

Consent Calendar

  • Approval of Minutes (April 15, 2026): Passed unanimously (14-0, with Commissioner Christie absent).

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Debbie (homeless camp advocate): Stressed the critical need for spay/neuter for dogs belonging to unhoused individuals, citing frequent breeding, neglect, and repeated shelter returns. Urged the commission to require alteration before release.
  • Julie Mose also spoke in support, sharing field experience and statistics on puppy mortality in camps.

Discussion Items

  • Shelter Redemption Procedures and Spay/Neuter Incentives (File ID: 2026-00730): Interim Animal Care Services Manager Ryan Hinderman presented current protocols: on first stray impound, fees are waived and spay/neuter is offered but not required; on second or subsequent at-large impounds, spay/neuter is mandated after a hearing process. Commissioners expressed strong support for tightening rules, eliminating fee waivers, and requiring alteration on first impound. Debate centered on enforcement, capacity, and equity. Public testimony highlighted the impact on homeless communities. A motion passed (14-0) to send recommendations to the Personnel and Public Employees Committee (PPE) to amend the ordinance.
  • Poll to Determine Priority Discussion Items (File ID: 2026-00195): Commissioners ranked 11 topics from the follow-up log (e.g., euthanasia numbers, large dog adoptions, new shelter steps). The commission adopted the ranked list and the follow-up log as presented.
  • Animal Care Services Monthly Manager’s Report (File ID: 2026-00977): Ryan Hinderman reported April statistics: 466 dogs and 468 cats intaken; 716 total outcomes (255 dog adoptions, 81 cat adoptions, 131 dogs returned to owner, 106 cat euthanasias, 42 dog euthanasias). Live release rates: dogs 91%, cats 75%, overall 83%. Updates included progress on kennel safety improvements (concrete curb removal, latch replacement), a new intake category for pregnant cats, continued veterinary staff recruiting, and a recent adoption event with over 470,000 Instagram views.

Key Outcomes

  • Motion on Redemption Ordinance (Passed 14-0): The commission voted to recommend amending Section 9.44.190 of the city code to: (1) require on first impound that owners pay all shelter fees (redemption, boarding, licensing) or have the animal spayed/neutered at the owner’s expense; (2) eliminate the discretionary waiver for the shelter manager; (3) maintain mandatory spay/neuter on second or subsequent at-large impounds.
  • Follow-Up Log Adopted (Passed 14-0): The commission approved the follow-up log with prioritized discussion items (ranked by poll).
  • Meeting Extension (Passed 14-0): The meeting was extended past two hours to complete the agenda.
  • Next Steps: The ordinance amendment recommendation will be forwarded to the Personnel and Public Employees Committee. Staff will continue work on protocols, hearings, and capacity planning.

Meeting Transcript

Good evening. Welcome to Wednesday. Rule to establish a quorum. Yes, thank you, Chair. Commissioners, if you can please unmute your microphones. Commissioner Tree? Here. Commissioner Wells? Here. Commissioner Verga. Commissioner Contreras? Here. Commissioner Hayes? Here. Commissioner Bergen? Here. Commissioner Bell? Here. Commissioner Benedict? Here. Vice Chair Bagley? Here. Commissioner Christie is absent. Commissioner Asquith? Here. Commissioner Pew? Here. Commissioner Garcia. Here. Commissioner Morris? Here. And Chair McDoll. Here. Thank you. We have a quorum. Thank you. I would like to remind members of the public and chamber that if you'd like to speak on an agenda item, please turn in a speaker slip before the item begins. After the item is called, we will no longer accept speaker slips. You'll have two minutes to speak once you're called on. And we will now proceed with today's agenda. Uh first off is land acknowledgement and pledge. Sure. Everyone, please stand if you're able. To the original people of this land. The Ninason people, the Southern Maidu, Valley and Plains Miwok, Pat Wynwinton Peoples, and the people of the Wilton Rancheria, Sacramento's own only federally recognized tribe. May we acknowledge and honor the native people who came before us and still walk beside us today on these ancestral lands by choosing to gather together today in the active practice of acknowledgement and appreciation for Sacramento's indigenous people's history, contributions, and lives. Thank you. To the flag of the United States of America, to the public for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Thank you. Next is the approval of the consent calendar.

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