Animal Wellbeing Commission Regular Meeting – June 10, 2026

The Animal Wellbeing Commission met on Wednesday, June 10, 2026, at 5:30 PM at Sacramento City Hall. The meeting covered the consent calendar, the monthly manager's report, interim shelter improvements, and a discussion on steps to build a new shelter. Commissioners debated the rollout of the final plea program, kennel safety modifications, and budget priorities. The meeting was adjourned at 7:38 PM after a 15-minute extension.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of May 13, 2026 Meeting Minutes (File ID: 2026-00019) – Passed unanimously (10-0, with 5 absent).
• Adoption of Animal Wellbeing Commission Follow-Up Log (File ID: 2026-01115) – Passed unanimously as part of the consent calendar. Chair McDole noted items #1 (increasing dog ownership limit) and #6 (redemption policy) could be removed as resolved.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Susan Falcon (public comment on Manager's Report): Expressed strong support for the final plea program but criticized its rollout, stating that Front Street killed 1,823 animals in 2025. She argued that written euthanasia and placement procedures are still lacking and that the selection of dogs for final plea may have been intentionally undermined. She urged transparency and responsible placement protocols.
• Jared (volunteer adoption counselor, on Interim Shelter Improvements): Opposed the proposed curb removal, explaining that outside kennel gates do not swing fully outward and that taking dogs from the outside creates escape risks. He recommended painting curbs bright colors for visibility but noted that would not help handlers backing out with large dogs. He also provided context on Debo's adoption counseling, stating that the adopter received an hour of counseling and that Debo's cat fixation did not indicate high prey drive.

Discussion Items

• Animal Care Services Monthly Managers Report (Item 5): Interim Manager Ryan Hinderman reported May statistics: 1,113 animals taken in (evenly split cats/dogs), 139 cat adoptions, 271 dog adoptions, 116 cat euthanasia (mostly neonatal kittens), 45 dog euthanasia, overall live release rate 80% (71% cats, 89% dogs). Highlights included: final plea pilot – 9 dogs posted, 2 permanent outcomes (Red adopted then returned but rescued; King Cutie adopted); kennel mock-up modifications (wider grate, improved latch, partial curb removal creating tripping hazards); City Gate Associates selected for policy/procedure consulting (contract starting June 22); $500,000 for community spay/neuter clinics (first city-funded program); staffing updates (fully staffed field services for first time in years, under 300 pending animal control calls). Commissioners raised concerns about the selection of dogs for final plea (Commissioners Virga, Bagley-Franzoia, Benedict, Asquith, Christie, Morris) – arguing that many dogs had serious behavior issues (lunging, snapping, barrier aggression) and were not “yellow” or “green” as characterized. Commissioner Virga noted 95 dogs euthanized for behavior in the last three months. Commissioner Benedict requested behavioral assessment guidelines be added to the follow-up log. Commissioner Asquith asked about certified behaviorists (none on staff) and dog play groups (not regular). Vice Chair Bagley-Franzoia questioned the safety of final plea dogs and urged pausing the program to get it right. Manager Hinderman acknowledged concerns and noted that the working group and staff are not aligned on the draft policy; both versions will go to the PNPE committee on June 23.
• Review of Interim Shelter Improvements (Item 4): Manager Hinderman reviewed the kennel mock-up process – two days of loud construction (concrete saws, grinders) required moving all dogs to foster; decibel readings ranged from 70-100 dB. Public works estimated 2-4 weeks per building for full curb removal. Commissioner Barragan asked about disruption and cost; Hinderman said the contractor’s original quote included self-closing hinges (removed as a safety concern) and that the new latch and grate modifications may balance costs. Commissioner Morris noted the improvements stem from broad categories in the needs assessment, not a specific plan. Commissioner Asquith raised concerns about tripping hazards and disease spread from removing curbs. Commissioner Bagley-Franzoia asked about drainage and guillotine doors; Hinderman said a pulley system may address door speed. Commissioner Garcia noted signage inconsistencies between online and physical kennel numbers.
• Discussion of Steps to Build a New Shelter (Item 3): Manager Hinderman summarized the 2024 needs assessment – a new shelter requires ~7 acres and $40-60 million. The commission debated whether to discuss the item at this meeting or postpone. A motion to move it to the August 12 meeting failed (5-6). An amendment to move it to a date uncertain passed (6-5). The final motion to postpone to a future agenda passed (9-2, with Commissioners Asquith and Morris opposed).

Key Outcomes

• Consent Calendar approved unanimously.
• Final Plea Pilot – Manager Hinderman confirmed the program will be presented to the PNPE committee on June 23, 2026, with both the working group draft and a staff-revised version.
• Interim Shelter Improvements – Reviewed and commented; no formal vote. Staff will continue refining the kennel mock-up based on feedback.
• Steps to Build a New Shelter – Postponed to a future agenda (date uncertain).
• Meeting Extension – Motion to extend past 2 hours passed unanimously; a 15-minute extension for commissioner comments also passed.
• Follow-Up Log Additions – Commissioner Benedict requested a future discussion on behavioral assessment guidelines for final plea dogs. Commissioner Barragan requested a discussion on allocating the $500,000 spay/neuter funds. Commissioner Bagley-Franzoia requested an urgent item on the shelter’s lack of response to healthy stray dog calls, citing city code and state statutes. Commissioner Virga requested that spay/neuter funds not be limited to one organization and emphasized cat/kitten focus. All requests were noted for staff consideration.
• Commissioner Comments – Commissioner Asquith announced pride t-shirts for sale at the shelter. Commissioner Benedict asked about a July meeting but was informed the schedule is set by city council and no July meeting is planned.