Approve agreement with the University of California, Davis School of Veterinary Medicine’s Teaching Hospital for veterinary care, including emergency services from July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2024 in an amount not to exceed $55,000 per fiscal year. (No general fund impact) (Lopez/Johnson)

Approve agreement with the University of California, Davis School of Veterinary Medicine’s Teaching Hospital for veterinary care, including emergency services from July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2024 in an amount not to exceed $55,000 per year.

The Sheriff's Office has equipped a surgery room and contracted with the University of California, Davis's (UCD) Shelter Medicine Program for the provision of basic medical care at the Yolo County Animal Shelter. This has resulted in a decrease of needing to rely on local veterinarians to provide services and transporting animals to and from the shelter to receive care. However, cases exist where the animal in custody requires emergency services the Sheriff's Office is unable to provide due to inadequate resources. Therefore, it is necessary for the Sheriff's Office to contract with UCD's Veterinary Medicine Teaching Hospital in order to provide the most humane care possible for animals in its custody and properly fulfill their law enforcement duties.  Service as is appropriate to alleviate suffering, stabilize the animal's condition, diagnostic and emergency supportive care will be received off-site at the Teaching Hospital in Davis on a 24 hour, seven day per week schedule as needed. Additional care may be provided upon written consent from the County. 

As this agreement is being made between two government entities and the provider’s aggregate contract amounts are above $100,000, action by the Board of Supervisors is required. Approval of this agreement will continue the positive working relationship between UCD and the County.

A positive working relationship exists between Yolo County Animal Services, the UCD Veterinary Medicine Teaching Hospital, and the UCD Shelter Medicine Program. Representatives of UCD and Animal Services frequently meet regarding the shelter medicine program and services to be provided under this contract. County Counsel has reviewed the agreement and approved it as to form.

A competitive bid process was not used because staff determined that performing emergency veterinary services requires a specialized field, therefore, the source from which such goods or services might be acquired was very limited. UCD has represented it is fully certified and/or licensed to perform the services required and that it employs persons who are fully certified and/or licensed, specially trained, experienced, expert and fully competent to properly provide the services required. In addition, UCD is prepared to provide these services on a 24-hour, seven day a week schedule; a requirement which other county veterinary offices are unwilling or unable to provide.