Good News for Animal Lovers

Along with you I've been depressed ever since the Gang of 3 voted to stay with the County and to give up the idea of having our own local no-kill shelter that would operate better, at less expense, and keep the money here in Lake Forest. Even worse, they surrendered over $600,000 to the County to help them build a shelter that we have no equity in, and they signed a 10- year contract without knowing what it would cost us.

Putting that aside, I’m pleased to share two bits of good news for animal lovers.

PILOT PROGRAM

I have been stubbornly prodding the City about moving forward with the $15,000 grant to provide animal care services in the City, focusing on preventive services so that animals do not enter the high-kill and seemingly disorganized County system. If we can re-direct animals from entering the system, we will not only be doing a humane service to the animals and the people, we will also be doing a big favor to the taxpayers by reducing the amount we have to pay to the County, which annually exceeds $500,000 and who knows how much it will be in the future.

I succeeded in getting this motion on the books in May during the budget workshop. The City’s been working on it for 3 months and talking with various local agencies about how to best formulate the RFP. In that time, using past statistics as a guide, over 50 animals have died or been killed.

Meanwhile the County heard about our proposed efforts and asked to be involved in the process and to use our program as a possible pilot for the rest of the County. They’ve sweetened the deal with a matching $15,000 if we will also do for San Juan citizens (and non-incorporated areas) what we propose to do for Lake Forest citizens.

Deputy City Manager Debra Rose indicates the RFP will be ready for review shortly. I’ll let you know as soon as it crosses my desk.

PUBLIC MEETING

The Orange County Animal Care Design Advisory Board (DAB) is meeting this week on September 15 at 9 am in Santa Ana (1143 Fruit Street). On the agenda are:

• · Project Design and Cost Updates
• · Fundraising updates
• · Public and Board Comments

Unlike the infamous FOAB committee (Finance Operations Advisory Board), the DAB is open to the public.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Dr. Jim Gardner is on the City Council for Lake Forest. You can check him out on LinkedIn and/or Facebook and you can share your thoughts about the City at Lake Forest Town Square on Facebook. His comments are not meant to reflect official City Policy.

Dr. Gardner has office hours every Tuesday from 4 pm to 6 pm at the City Hall. In addition, he holds a Town Hall meeting every quarter. The next meeting will be in November at the Foothill Ranch Public Library.