“Full implementation will be based upon available resources and in light of other priorities.”

In layman’s terms, “Great idea but where’s the money?”

So goes the response to the Sonoma County Grand Jury report on recommendations for improvements at Sonoma County Animal Care and Control. The 2009 Grand Jury made several recommendations. Among them, more bi-lingual services, a full time dispatcher, eliminating the use of inmate labor to clean the shelter, and a closer look at the economics of operating the Mobile Animal Center, the mobile spay/neuter van.

Some progress has been made. Some of the recordings to the shelter are now in Spanish and English, although plans to turn the website bi-lingual are delayed….by funding.

A full time dispatcher for the department? There is no funding.

Elimination of inmate labor? The department has reduced the number of inmates used from 12 to 6 and three Animal Care Assistants have been hired. As for reducing any reliance on inmate help….not enough funding.

And as for the future of the Mobile Animal Center, a six-month study is promised on how the use of the van might increase revenues versus the cost of operation. Some ideas include leasing out the van to other shelters and looking into grant funding for the program.

It’s prudent for every agency, county or independent non-profit, to take a close look at what works and what doesn’t in an operation.

We look forward to the county supporting what its own Grand Jury recommends.