Yolo County Animal Services (YCAS) is a taxpayer-funded animal control agency which includes operating an open-admission animal shelter. YCAS provides housing, care, and medical treatment to both exotic and domestic stray, lost, abandoned, sick, injured, and surrendered animals. YCAS also enforces all state and local Animal Control and Welfare laws and is the first responder for animals in natural disasters and citizen emergencies. YCAS is designated by the Yolo County Health Officer to enforce and maintain all Rabies-related laws and records. YCAS provides contracted services to the jurisdictions of Davis, West Sacramento, Woodland, Winters, UC Davis and all rural areas.

YCAS currently consists of 23 Full-time and 14 Extra Help employees (Attachment A) who provide on-site services such as facilitating pet adoptions, redemptions, working with rescue partners, issuing licensing, administering microchips and vaccinations for dogs and cats. In addition to these services, conducting barking and nuisance complaint investigations, boarding kennel licensing and inspection, picking up loose and contained animals including livestock, responding to animal bites and attacks, trap rental, and providing welfare checks on animals, which are frequent service requests for Animal Services Officers assigned to the field.

Often, YCAS provides emergency services and transport for other First Responder personnel who are not equipped to move animals, such as the Sheriff’s Office, Municipal Police Departments, Coroner’s Office, Fire Department, CHP, and Health Department. YCAS takes custody and cares for animals belonging to owners who are arrested, evicted, hospitalized or have passed away. These specific cases have extended holding periods and typically cost of care is not recovered based on circumstances of impoundment. End of life services, including humane euthanasia, are also offered at a lower rate compared to private veterinary offices. YCAS also accepts deceased animals and offers private cremation through a third-party vendor at the owner’s request.

The responsibilities and services provided by YCAS are 7 days a week, 24/7, 365 days per year. Staff work varied shifts to cover the needs of the animals housed at YCAS but also after-hours’ on-call coverage for emergencies and priority calls for service. These specific calls are approved by the designated person for each of the contracted jurisdiction partners. Public hours of operation are Monday through Friday, 10 AM to 5 PM, and Saturday, 10 AM to 4 PM. In an effort to increase opportunities to reclaim or adopt, extended hours on Tuesdays until 6 PM have been implemented. Additionally, YCAS no longer closes for lunch or has limited hours on Mondays as in past practices.

Animal Intakes

Animal intakes occur both over the counter at YCAS when brought in by members of the public and from calls for service handled by Animal Service Officers. Intake types vary based on species, age, medical conditions, known owner or found with no ID and considered stray. YCAS works with sick, injured or unweaned wildlife and commonly owned domestic animals and livestock. YCAS provides services to owners needing to surrender their pets due to housing constraints, behavior concerns, medical and end-of-life services, including humane euthanasia. Depending on the circumstances, urgency of the situation and shelter population, YCAS may schedule owner surrender intake for a later date. All requests to surrender for reasons of aggression are prioritized and taken in immediately. Owner surrender intakes have increased annually by over 100 animals in the past 3 years (Attachment E).

Animal Control and Field Services

In California, legislative mandates require cities and counties to provide certain animal control services. The main requirements include an animal shelter for stray animals, enforcement of animal laws, rabies control and licensing, and the spaying or neutering of animals prior to adoption. All the city jurisdictions within Yolo County have elected to adopt and follow Yolo County ordinances pertaining to the provision of animal services.

YCAS currently has 2 Supervising Animal Services Officers, 1 assigned to oversee Shelter staff and operations and 1 assigned to Field Services, supervising 7 Animal Services Officers (ASO) (Attachment A). Public calls for service are received by Yolo Emergency Communications Agency (YECA) who provide dispatch services for YCAS. Calls received after business hours, on holidays and Sundays, require authorization from the designated city representative for each of the contracted partners. YCAS does not receive these calls directly and will only respond when approved or authorized by the Supervising ASO or Director of Animal Services.

In an effort to illustrate the types of call requests and outcomes for each service request, ASO’s designate on their call a disposition type along with mapping data. This data is provided quarterly to contracted partners along with shelter intake statistics, which correspond with their financial responsibilities for services provided. The most common call requests include: Stray At Large (animal loose without an owner present), Stray Contained (previously loose animal contained by the person reporting the call), injured animals, deceased animal pickups (both domestic and wildlife), Rabies Control (animal bites to humans and contact with wildlife most common, and placing animals on quarantine) Safe Keeping requests (Owner hospitalized, evicted or arrested) (Attachment F).

Animal Service Officer Specialized Training

In addition to basic animal handling, Animal Services Officers attend state required training related to firearms familiarization, arrest, search and seizure, chemical capture, livestock handling and transportation, humane academy, wildfire and disaster training, animal cruelty investigations and court appearance training.

YCAS Organizational Changes and Updates 
Since the transition of YCAS from the Sheriff’s Office where it had been housed since 1988  there have been numerous internal and external changes. As a result of this shift in agency oversight, YCAS initiated a comprehensive effort to update and modernize its operational framework. This includes revisions to policies and procedures, updates to uniforms, and redesign of vehicle decals and branding materials.  
 
Beginning in mid-2025, with support and direction from the County Administrator’s Office and County Counsel, YCAS hired a retired annuitant to assist with the review, modernization, and development of policies, procedures, and training resources. This work is part of an ongoing effort to ensure agency operations reflect current best practices, align with County standards, and support consistency in service delivery. 

Veterinary Services and Care

Veterinary team coverage is provided 7 days a week, with surgeries regularly scheduled Monday through Friday. Medical care is provided for all animals at YCAS, beginning with intake care, which provides species-specific vaccinations, flea medication, de-wormer and a brief Wellness Check. Many common illnesses and conditions are evaluated by the veterinarian on site and treated according to animal welfare industry standards. The shelter veterinarian also has extensive training and experience in performing more complicated surgeries in addition to spay and neuter, such as foreign body removal, amputations, enucleations, rabbit spay and neuter (Attachment B).

Medical emergencies not able to be handled on site by staff on weekends, holidays and after hours are taken to UC Davis Veterinary Hospital Emergency Room. Since the hiring of a County Veterinary team, the number of animals taken to UC Davis has decreased. All dogs and cats deemed healthy for surgery are spayed and neutered prior to adoption or transferred to a rescue partner. Animals needing radiographs are scheduled by YCAS to be performed at one of the local veterinary clinics with an existing partnership at a discounted public rate. YCAS performs additional diagnostic testing in cases requiring additional information to assist with treatment plans and outcomes. Owned animals that are claimed by their owners are also offered spay and neuter services in efforts to reduce impound fees.

However, this service is not currently mandatory. All animals are vaccinated and microchipped prior to adoption and redemption. Dog licensing is also completed within the YCAS Docupet system when applicable for residents of Yolo County during adoptions and redemptions.

Animal Outcome Pathways

Reuniting pets with their owners remains a high priority and goal at YCAS. However, when an animal is either unclaimed or surrendered, after the legally applicable holding period, the animal becomes available for adoption, rescue only, or a humane euthanasia candidate.

Animal outcome pathways at YCAS depend on factors such as intake type and condition of the animal, reasons for surrender if applicable or owner requested, field intake type and method of containment, adoptability based on documented and observed behavior and medical condition. Since YCAS is considered an “open admission” governmental shelter, animals of varying needs both medically and behaviorally are taken in, most of the time with little to no accurate history of care (Attachment C). Due to the increase in housing uncertainties and economic challenges, YCAS continues to be the main community resource for owners experiencing these hardships. Additionally, YCAS provides end-of-life care to pets at a reasonable cost, which is a vital and compassionate community service.

The adoptability of a dog brought into the shelter either from the field or over the counter is determined by many factors. Initially, these may include any of the following: documented bite history to a human or other animal, stray or owner surrender, reason for surrender (Housing, Medical or Behavior), owner requesting euthanasia (Medical or Behavior). Understanding the stressful environment of an animal shelter and the situation the animal has been through, behaviors displayed at intake are documented and continue to be observed throughout the appropriate legal holding period. In addition to the circumstances of intake listed above, the behavior of the dog is observed and noted by all who interact with the dog, which may include front office, kennel staff, medical team, ASO, Supervising ASO, volunteers and the Director.

However, in those surrender or impound cases involving reported extreme aggression (vicious attack on a human or another animal), a dog may be euthanized immediately by order of the Health Officer for Rabies testing or by the Director to prevent further injuries while housing the dog at YCAS or allowing it back out into the community.

Friends of Yolo County Animal Services 
Friends of YCAS is a dedicated non-profit created to support animals at YCAS. Resources such as funding for enrichment and supplies, sponsoring events like the Smitten for Kittens adoption event, and providing funding for additional diagnostics and medical procedures outside of YCAS for senior dogs and cats. Friends of YCAS supports new adopters by providing a “go home kit” containing a harness and leash for dogs, and toys for both cats and dogs.  Friends of YCAS align their yearly donation drives and social media campaigns with the identified program needs and improvements of YCAS. YCAS collaborates with the Friend’s YCAS Board to find ways to support both animals in the shelter and in our community.  

Adoption Program
YCAS provides on-site adoptions and frequently partners with local businesses to host off-site adoption events. Scheduling adoption appointments for dogs allows for a more controlled and customized experience for the public and the animals involved. Cat adoptions do not require an appointment. Dog walk-ins are accommodated when staffing and volunteer attendance allows. Volunteers are crucial to this program and their daily dedication to the animals makes more successful adoptions occur. In 2025, 803 dogs and 1,205 cats were adopted at YCAS, which is approximately 300 more than in 2024. (Attachment E)

Resources like the YCAS website, social media platforms, the Daily Democrat, Next Door and community support generate the crucial visibility for members of the public to adopt. YCAS utilizes both Instagram and Facebook and has over 27K followers and 21K followers respectively. Using creative ways to share the animals extends the potential reach for adopters and continued community support for all programs at YCAS.

Two at-home resources for new adopters currently provided by YCAS include access to Petcademy which interfaces with shelter software and automatically reaches out to adopters via text.  New in March 2026, Pet Allies has partnered during their program pilot stage with YCAS offering free behavior support on their AI-based dog behavior platform. The goal of each program is to increase pet retention and decrease returns or surrenders for common fixable new pet behaviors.

Volunteer Program
YCAS relies on community partnerships and active volunteers to enhance the programs and services provided. Whether on-site, off-site, in their own homes or businesses, volunteers choose to commit their time, resources and energy to the animals of Yolo County. Current volunteer opportunities include: on-site dog and cat volunteers working daily on socialization, enrichment, night power potty walks (new in 2025 after hours weekdays), doggie day trips, office dog for the day with Pro Farm in Davis (new in 2025) dog foster, medical foster, kitten foster (192 kitten foster parents cared for almost 1,000 kittens in 2025), High School Community Service Program, YCAS Dog Running Group, and Medical team volunteers.YCAS also frequently receives requests from schools, local business and corporate groups completing service days, including donation drives and volunteering at YCAS.

Importance of Rescue Partnerships

Rescue requests or “pleas” are implemented for animals at YCAS requiring ongoing medical treatments, specialized surgeries requiring post-operative care and rehabilitation, or displaying behaviors necessitating additional training or rehabilitation outside the resources available at YCAS. These animals, with the extra care and added resources, can then be made available for adoption by the rescue taking on their needs. Local rescue partners play a vital role in assisting with shelter population management, particularly to ensure there is room to accommodate strays, confiscates and sick or injured animals.

Often, rescues will be asked to assist when the shelter intakes litters of puppies or kittens, especially since these are the most vulnerable due to lack of immunity in a shelter environment. Rescue partners can also reach out and “pull” or take over ownership of the available animals at YCAS. This also helps alleviate the shelter population and allows for resources to be spent on those animals needing more care due to a longer length of stay.YCAS works with many local rescues and also out-of-state partners to increase the live release outcomes for both dogs and cats. In 2025, 234 dogs and 177 cats were transferred to rescue partners in California. (Attachment E)

Community Adoption Partnerships

Community partnerships have increased adoption rates along with raising awareness of the mission and ongoing needs of YCAS. In 2025, YCAS held 26 off-site special events at local businesses and venues. These events also generated monetary and in-kind donations of foster kitten supplies, food for the Community Pet Food Pantry, and towels, blankets and crates. Some of the partners for these events include UC Davis Phi Delta Theta (Smitten for Kitten), Associated Students of UC Davis (Mental Health Initiative), Davis Creamery, Blue Note Brewery and Gallery Coffee.

In addition to hosting special events, the following businesses support YCAS throughout the year. At PetSmart in Davis, during kitten season 2025, over 100 kittens and cats were adopted. PetSmart also housed animals on-site and were cared for by their staff. YCAS transports and maintains supplies specific to shelter preferences. As of March 2026, cats and kittens have returned as the shelter population begins to increase. Pet Supplies Woodland, during the summer and fall months, hosts weekend adoption events for kittens and small dogs, provides donations and grooming services for shelter dogs. Blue Note Brewery Woodland hosts events and has partnered with YCAS to allow volunteers to bring dogs to participate with the Woodland Woodchuckers run group while also featuring adoptable animals.

Community Spay and Neuter Surgery Partnerships

Although YCAS can provide medical care, spay and neuter to the animals brought into the shelter and support some Trap-Neuter-Release (TNR) (feral cat spay and neuter), the community's need surpasses available resources. In 2025, with a partially staffed veterinary team, YCAS provided approximately 200 requests for TNR. As of March 10, 2026, YCAS has completed 94 requested TNR surgeries (Attachment B).

To support the mission and teaching goals of the UC Davis Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital (VMTH), YCAS routinely provides dogs available for adoption to the Gourley Clinical Teaching Center to receive spay and neuter services. The UC Davis Community Surgery Service and Fracture Program will also perform complex orthopedic surgical procedures for animals in the care of YCAS.

In efforts to meet the community's need for spay and neuter, Spay Neuter Imperative Project (SNIP) has partnered with YCAS to provide low-cost services to owned animals. Using grant funding, YCAS has sponsored no-cost surgeries for owned animals and community cats. Since October 2025, each month, SNIP has provided on average 100 surgeries for owned animals and 40 feral cats. YCAS has partnered with Yolo County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and Yolo Spay and Neuter Group to coordinate with trappers to use these feral cat appointments. SNIP has continued to commit to a monthly partnership and will be increasing the total days beginning in May.

Although there are no laws or local ordinances assigning sole responsibility for managing the feral cat population to YCAS, there has been decade-long support for the Yolo Community Cat Program. With historically limited resources for additional spay and neuter outside of shelter animals, YCAS has participated and partnered with local trappers and the organizations previously mentioned to address the feral cat population in Yolo County.  
While  feral cats are not considered owned animals, the responsibility to assist with population control and management falls back on the community in which these cats reside. By having an active TNR program and external partnerships, the collective goal to reduce the population and diseases can be achieved, 

YCAS not only contributes by providing surgical resources, but also investigates nuisance complaints and reports of animal cruelty involving community cats. 

Preventative Care Outreach

In addition to the daily outreach, education and resources delivered by existing YCAS programs, YCAS hosts preventative vaccine and microchip clinics for pet owners. The goal of these vital events is, by providing vaccines and microchips, the incidence of illnesses such as Parvo will reduce and pets with microchips are more likely to find their owners prior to entering the shelter. In 2025, YCAS hosted clinics in Woodland, West Sacramento and the town of Yolo. Each of these clinics served over 200 owners, most of whom have multiple pets, including litters of puppies and kittens. These clinics have been funded using grant money and rely on YCAS staff and community volunteers to staff the events.

Beginning in April 2026, SNIP will also be partnering with YCAS for community vaccine clinics and owners needing spay and neuter services will be scheduled during the YCAS sponsored days for the next available SNIP clinics. 

Facilities  

Over the past several years, multiple deferred maintenance projects have been completed, including reroofing of the dog building and front office, HVAC and insulation upgrades, and lighting and electrical improvements. Kennel maintenance and repair work has also been completed. Renovations to the east side of the former Probation building across from the main YCAS campus—now known as the 2A building—are finished as well. A request for proposals is expected to be released no later than mid-April, and staff remain confident in securing a partner to provide spay and neuter services in the 2A facility.

The Clinic-in-a-Can (CIAC) project has remained a high priority. On September 23, 2025, the Board approved funding through the Fiscal Year 2025–26 budget augmentation process to complete the CIAC project. Staff subsequently reviewed the project scope, including the required building permit and proposed site work. During this assessment, it became clear that the scope required adjustments to account for additional tasks related to relocating the CIAC upon delivery, as well as additional site work needed to address existing conditions and ensure proper onsite functionality. In early December, General Services (GSD) and Community Services (DCS) staff conducted an onsite job walk to finalize the revised scope of work and evaluate current site conditions.

During the job walk, GSD and DCS staff identified significant drainage concerns that could arise due to the existing placement of a stormwater drain and a sewer main drain. As part of the proposed CIAC site work, the stormwater drain area would be incorporated into the required concrete flatwork. YCAS staff currently rely on the sewer drain for washing out transport trucks and cleaning outdoor kennel areas, and the stormwater and sewer drains sit in close proximity. Due to the existing topography, there is a risk that water intended for the sewer drain could instead flow into the stormwater drain once the concrete work is completed. Relocating the sewer drain was not included in the original project estimate and would be cost-prohibitive. To mitigate potential cross-contamination, GSD staff proposed modifying the site topography and relocating the stormwater drain as part of the revised CIAC scope of work.

The job walk also revealed the need for immediate electrical repairs due to unsafe conditions within the existing panel, which could affect both safety and project costs. GSD staff coordinated with their contractor to obtain a quote, and this work is now underway. Once the electrical estimate was provided, DCS staff reviewed the YCAS budget and transmitted updated CIAC project budget information to GSD for preparation of the bid package. GSD staff are now actively developing the project bid package.

This item is an informational item only, and no action is being requested by the Board of Supervisors at this time.