Future of the animal shelter facility and contract cities
Summary
The city is terminating its off-site shelter lease with Casa Ramona while the Waterman Avenue shelter faces a month-long access restriction starting February 9. A resident praised the mayor's shelter visit and begged the council to plan sustainable, humane shelter operations.
At a glance
- Total mentions
- 10
- Last 30 days
- 3
Discussed at 2 meetings in the last 60 days; most recently Oct 7, 2026.
Impact analysis
The lease termination ends month-to-month obligations at the 1543 W. 8th Street site.
City staff gain flexibility on shelter operations; animals and shelter workers need the promised long-term plan.
Shelter staff and animals could suffer if no replacement plan is funded, per public testimony.
Mentions & discussions (7)
REUNION DEL ALCALDE Y AYUTAMIENTO - Oct 7, 2026
Residents complained the shelter is closed Mondays and has no veterinarian after five years, even turning away a rescued injured dog. The council approved a staffing realignment and, on Councilmember Ortiz's push, a comprehensive audit of the shelter's capacity, kill/adoption rates, and spay-neuter capabilities.
CLOSED SESSION AND REGULAR MEETING OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL - Oct 7, 2026
The council realigned animal services staffing — eliminating two unfilled vet positions and one ACO post while raising overall staffing to 71 — amid testimony that the shelter closes Mondays, a mobile vet clinic remains undeployed, and a private donor's surgery-room offer was declined. A comprehensive shelter audit is now coming back to the council.
CLOSED SESSION AND REGULAR MEETING OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL - Sep 16, 2026
Residents blasted the shelter's overcrowding after the contract to take animals from Rialto, Fontana and Colton, urging spay-neuter enforcement, a guard for staff safety, and community outreach.
Regular Meeting of Animal Control Commission Meeting - Jul 8, 2026
Contract cities' agreements expire June 30, 2027, and San Bernardino County is inviting them to its new shelter — so old building plans may not fit what the city actually needs. The new deputy director says planning for a new shelter is starting but will be slow.
CLOSED SESSION AND REGULAR MEETING OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL - Mar 18, 2026
The city was quietly subsidizing shelter services for five neighboring cities. The fix bills partners for all 72 positions plus overhead — worth up to about $1.6 million in additional billings.
CLOSED SESSION AND REGULAR MEETING OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL - Feb 4, 2026
The council cut ties with the planned satellite shelter site, and a speaker praised the mayor's shelter visit while pressing for a new modern facility and more staff.
REUNION DEL ALCALDE Y AYUTAMIENTO - Feb 4, 2026
The city is terminating its off-site shelter lease with Casa Ramona while the Waterman Avenue shelter faces a month-long access restriction starting February 9. A resident praised the mayor's shelter visit and begged the council to plan sustainable, humane shelter operations.
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