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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026.02.12 TCACA Agenda Packet AGENDA Tri-Cities Animal Control Authority 5:30 PM - Thursday, February 12, 2026 Pasco City Hall, Council Chambers Page 1. WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS 2. PUBLIC COMMENTS - The public may address the Tri-Cities Animal Control Authority (TCACA) on any items related to animal control within Kennewick, Pasco or Richland. This is to provide the opportunity to bring items to the attention of the TCACA or to express an opinion on an issue. Its purpose is not to provide a venue for debate or for the posing of questions with the expectation of an immediate response. Some questions require consideration by the TCACA over time and after a deliberative process with input from a number of different sources; some questions are best directed to staff who have access to specific information. Public comments will normally be limited to three minutes each. Those with lengthy messages are invited to summarize their comments and/or submit written information for consideration by the TCACA outside of formal meetings. 3. TCACA AGENCY REPORTS 4. TRI-CITIES ANIMAL SHELTER UPDATES 2 - 15 (a) TCACA Presentation Covers topics in the attached PowerPoint. 5. OLD BUSINESS 16 (a) Meeting Minutes - December 11, 2025 6. NEW BUSINESS 7. NEXT MEETING SCHEDULED FOR APRIL 9, 2026 8. ADJOURNMENT Page 1 of 16 Tri-Cities Animal Control Authority (TCACA) Pa g e 2 o f 1 6 City of Pasco Representative: Assistant City Manager, Angela Pashon City of Richland Representative: Commander Christopher Mason City of Kennewick Representative: Commander Joe Santoy City of Pasco/TCAS Manager: Ben Zigan City of Pasco Administrative Assistant II: Elizabeth Farrell City of Pasco/TCAS Department Assistant II: Krista Hahn TCACA Members Pa g e 3 o f 1 6 Tri-Cities Animal Services (TCAS) General Responsibilities Animal Control Services – Response to nuisance animal complaints, investigate reports of animal cruelty/neglect, assist law enforcement and 24/7 response to sick, injured and aggressive animals. Public education of pet owner responsibilities and resources. Animal Sheltering Services – Daily animal care to include medical services. Stray animal intake. Adoption, redemption, transfer, foster and rescue placement. Volunteer management. Community Outreach and Education – Adoption and community events, community outreach dog, educational presentations, and social media. Pa g e 4 o f 1 6 P O S I T I O N N U M B E R O F S T A F F E M P L O Y M E N T T Y P E Animal Services Manager 1 Full Time Animal Control Supervisor 1 Full Time Animal Control Dispatcher 1 Full Time Animal Control Officer 2 of 3 Full Time Department Assistant II/Volunteer Coordinator 1 Full Time Customer Service Representative 2 Full Time Transfer/Foster Coordinator 1 Full Time Animal Intake/Medical Assistants 2 Full Time Vet Tech Assistant 1 Part Time Animal Care Lead 1 Full Time Animal Care Technician 6 of 7 Full Time Veterinarian 1 Part-Time Current Staffing Pa g e 5 o f 1 6 The public may address the Tri-Cities Animal Control Authority (TCACA) on any items related to animal control within Kennewick, Pasco or Richland. This is to provide the opportunity to bring items to the attention of the TCACA or to express an opinion on an issue. Its purpose is not to provide a venue for debate or for the posing of questions with the expectation of an immediate response. Some questions require consideration by the TCACA over time and after a deliberative process with input from a number of different sources; some questions are best directed to staff who have access to specific information. Public comments will normally be limited to three minutes each. Those with lengthy messages are invited to summarize their comments and/or submit written information for consideration by the TCACA outside of formal meetings. Public Comments Pa g e 6 o f 1 6 Animal Control 2026 Currently in the recruitment process to fill the third Animal Control Officer position. One Animal Control Officer scheduled to attend the 2026 Animal Control Academy in March as par t of ongoing professional development to enhance community service Developed a comprehensive animal disaster response plan to assist with evacuation orders for placement of livestock in case of natural disaster. Pa g e 7 o f 1 6 2025 In Review Adoptions Dog: Cat: Transfers Dog: Cat: 618 855 233 404 259 539 678 784 Intakes Dog: Cat: ACO Cases 3275 4309 2025 1243 1814 2024 1388 1679 Pa g e 8 o f 1 6 2025 Challenges Facility at or near capacity for extended periods Intake restrictions to sick, injured, or aggressive animals only due to capacity Staff retention challenges resulting in increased reliance on temporary agency staffing 1 FTE kennel staff vacancy has been maintained for cost savings (approximately $43,600), with efficiency gains from the new facility helping offset impacts, though reduced staffing remains a challenge Rising costs of supplies and off-site services Increase in feral cat colonies across the jurisdiction, impacting intake demand and resources Pa g e 9 o f 1 6 2025 Accomplishments Rebranded the shelter to improve clarity, transparency, and community trust Transitioned to a new facility without disrupting services or animal care Expanded in-house medical services with new equipment and a dedicated surgical suite, reducing costs and outside reliance Restructured the volunteer program with a management system and code of conduct aligned with shelter values Issued an RFP for a Behavior Consultant to support non-standard adoptions Updated Richland Municipal Codes to align “Crimes Against Animals” ordinances with partner jurisdictions and adopt RCW language regarding unattended animals in vehicles or enclosed spaces Received a National Animal Shelter Appreciation Week proclamation from the Pasco Mayor Thanks to ‘Friends Of TCAS’ generous donations we added turf to 3 of 4 dog play yards, along with a large shade structure in our largest play yard. Pa g e 1 0 o f 1 6 2025 Outreach and Events School Visits: Richland Highschool Marie Currie Elementary Pasco Highschool Kennewick Highschool Kiona Benton Middle School McClintock Elementary Rober t Frost Elementary Chief Joseph Middle School Community Group Visits: Girl Scout Groups Amazon Group Columbia Park Apartments Group H2C Group Benton-Franklin Juvenile Work Crew Hapo Group Hanford Mission Integration Solutions Autism Group Gesa Day of Service The ARC Events: Cinco De Mayo Fur Babies and the Fuzz Back to School Show and Shine TCAS Ribbon Cutting Dog Daze at the Market Doggy Paddle Fiery Food Festival Felines and Firefighters KFD Fire Safety Week Spooky Hall In the Media: Pet of The Week KONA Radio Non-Sop Local News Apple Valley News Facebook Pa g e 1 1 o f 1 6 2026 Anticipated Challenges Ongoing shelter capacity limitations with high intake demands Ongoing need for community resources related to helping control the populations within feral/community cat colonies and dealing with nuisance cats Veterinary management system implementation to accommodate requested tracking by each city Continued increases in external medical service fees and supply costs placing pressure on the budget Maintaining service levels while managing a vacant FTE and balancing staffing flexibility as operational demands continue to evolve. Pa g e 1 2 o f 1 6 Goals Expand partnerships with animal rescue organizations to suppor t capacity, medical, and behavioral cases and increase transfer numbers following the 2024–2025 program decline. Continue to foster and strengthen the positive relationship between the community and Animal Control with TNR for the community cat population. Maintain budget discipline in part by transitioning the part-time veterinarian to full-time to expand in-house medical services, reduce need for external services, and associated transportation costs (staff transpor t time wages average ~$15,000 annually, excluding fuel and vehicle wear). Increase community engagement across all three cities to build trust and improve understanding of shelter services and operations. Continue aligning municipal codes across all three service areas. Maintain one FTE vacancy to support flexible staffing as needed, while identifying cost savings in other areas to eventually allow staffing for all needed staff positions. Pa g e 1 3 o f 1 6 2026 Outreach and events Furr Babies and the Fuzz - May 9th Felines and Firefighters - Fall 2026 Scheduled or Anticipated: KHS National Honor Society Hapo Bank Group New Horizons High School (Monthly) Benton-Franklin Juvenile Justice Center Work Crew (Several times a month) C3 Church H2C Group Girl Scouts Marie Currie Elementary Robert Frost Elementary Jenny’s Hope Adoption Event Spooky Hall Cinco De Mayo Homeschool Group Pa g e 1 4 o f 1 6 Rescue Partnerships Mikey’s Chance Forgotten Dogs Journey Home Washington Alaskan Malamute Adoption League (WAMAL) The Last Road Dog Sanctuary Sunny Sky’s Animal Rescue American Black and Tan Coonhound Rescue (CA) HART Smidget Rescue Hope for Huskies Old Dog Haven American Bullmastiff Association Pronto Puppy Path of Hope Rescue Church of Pug Seattle Humane Society Progressive Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) Auburn Valley Humane Society Seattle Area Feline Rescue (SAFE) The NOAH Center (Stanwood, WA) Tumbleweed Cat Rescue Flower Feline Sanctuary Benton Franklin Humane Society Lar’s Pawsome Rescue Cat Utopia (Pendleton, OR) Okandogs Dog Rescue Dave Buster Rescues Madres Mutts Tri-City Kitty Mighty Meow Blue Mountain Humane Society Watson’s Paws for a Cause SpokAnimal Pa g e 1 5 o f 1 6 MINUTES Tri-Cities Animal Control Authority 5:30 PM - Thursday, December 11, 2025 Pasco City Hall, Council Chambers WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS Attendees: City of Kennewick Representative: Trever Davis City of Pasco Representative: Jesse Rice City of Richland Representative: Christopher Mason Animal Services Manager: Ben Zigan Department Assistant II: Krista Hahn Jesse Rice opened the meeting with a welcome and provided a brief announcement on structure of the meeting and introduced the other cities' representatives. TCACA AGENCY REPORTS TRI-CITIES ANIMAL SHELTER UPDATES TCACA Presentation covers topics in the attached PowerPoint. OLD BUSINESS NEW BUSINESS NEXT MEETING SCHEDULED FOR FEBRUARY 12,2026 ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 5:40 PM Page 1 of 1Page 16 of 16