HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026.18.08 TCACA Agenda Packet
AGENDA
Tri-Cities Animal Control Authority
5:30 PM - Wednesday, August 19, 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. Operations Update
3 - 18 (a) Operational Report
4. TCACA AGENCY REPORTS
5. OLD BUSINESS
6. NEW BUSINESS
19 (a) Shelter or Pound Discussion
(b) Management Committee Make-Up Discussion
20 - 27 (c) Potential Process & Policy Adjustments Discussion
7. NEXT MEETING SCHEDULED FOR OCTOBER 8, 2026
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8. ADJOURNMENT
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Tri-Cities Animal
Control Authority
(TCACA)
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City of Pasco Representative: City Manager: Harold Stewart
City of Richland Representative: City Manager: Jon Amundson
City of Kennewick Representative: City Manager: Erin Erdman
City of Pasco Chairman/Interim Parks and Recreation Director: Angela Pashon
City of Pasco/TCAS Manager: Ben Zigan (Not in attendance.)
City of Pasco/TCAS Lead Customer Service Technician: Krista Hahn
TCACA Members
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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
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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.
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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
Lead Animal Control Officer 1 Full Time
Animal Control Dispatcher 1 Full Time
Animal Control Officer 3 Full Time
Lead Customer Service Technician/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 0 of 1 Part Time
Animal Care Lead 1 Full Time
Animal Care Technician 6 Full Time
Veterinarian 1 Full Time
Current Staffing
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D O G S C A T S
J U N E - J U L Y J U N E - J U L Y
124 158 T O T A L I N T A K E S 225 189
44 55 ADOPTED 100 156
9 9 A D O P T E D A N D R E T U R N E D 2 2
40 43 R E D E E M E D 5 2
34 30 T R A N S F E R R E D O U T 39 11
2 6 E U T H A N A S I A : M E D I C A L 38 22
0 0 E U T H A N A S I A : M U N I C I P A L C O D E 0 0
0 0 E U T H A N A S I A : B E H A V I O R A L 0 0
Bi-Monthly Shelter Statistics
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D O G S C A T S
2 0 2 5 V S . 2 0 2 6 2 0 2 5 V S . 2 0 2 6
793 810 T O T A L I N T A K E S 1150 1118
38 52 ADOPTED THEN RETURNED 16 14
389 374 A D O P T E D 431 512
181 202 R E D E E M E D 30 26
160 182 T R A N S F E R R E D 296 183
30 24 E U T H A N A S I A : M E D I C A L 118 125
5 2 E U T H A N A S I A : M U N I C I P A L C O D E 0 0
2 0 E U T H A N A S I A : B E H A V I O R A L 0 0
Year To Date vs. 2025 Shelter Statistics
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D O G S C A T S
J U N E - J U L Y J U N E - J U L Y
20 22 R I C H L A N D I N T A K E S 40 32
16% 14%R I C H L A N D P E R C E N T A G E 18% 17%
54 49 K E N N E W I C K I N T A K E S 91 80
44% 31%K E N N E W I C K P E R C E N T A G E 40% 42%
50 87 P A S C O I N T A K E S 94 77
40% 55%P A S C O P E R C E N T A G E 42% 41%
124 158 T O T A L I N T A K E S 225 189
Bi-Monthly Jurisdictional
Intake Breakdown
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D O G S C A T S
2 0 2 6 Y T D 2 0 2 6 Y T D
125 R I C H L A N D I N T A K E S 177
16%R I C H L A N D P E R C E N T A G E 16%
328 K E N N E W I C K I N T A K E S 479
40%K E N N E W I C K P E R C E N T A G E 43%
357 P A S C O I N T A K E S 461
44%P A S C O P E R C E N T A G E 41%
810 T O T A L I N T A K E S 1118
YTD Jurisdictional
Intake Breakdown
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Bi-Monthly Metrics
June - July
Return Rate:
Shelter Wide: 3%
Cat: 1%
Dog: 9%
Average Length of Stay:
Shelter Wide: 13 days
Cat: 18 days
Dog: 8 days
Euthanasia:
Total: 68
Cat: 60
Dog: 8
Euthanasia Reason:
Medical: 68
Euthanasia Rate:
10%
Daily Capacity
Average:
Cat: 200
Dog: 54
Kennels Available:
Cat: 68
Dog: 75
Foster Rate:
181 Animal Placements
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C A S E T Y P E
T O T A L
N U M B E R O F
C A S E S
R I C H L A N D K E N N E W I C K P A S C O
Animal At-Large 223 27 109 87
Abandonment 12 2 3 7
Attack 26 6 12 8
Aggressive 2 0 1 1
Barking Dog 18 7 2 9
Bite Case - Human 20 5 7 8
Code Enforcement Complaint 5 3 2 0
Cruelty 6 2 3 1
Deceased on Arrival (DOA)52 5 30 17
Hit By Car 8 0 3 5
Information 19 6 10 3
In Custody 5 3 1 1
Injured Animal 92 25 33 34
Police Assist 21 10 8 3
Welfare Check 99 28 48 23
TOTAL NUMBER OF CASES 608 129 272 207
PERCENT OF CASE VOLUME 100%21%45%34%
Total Cases: 608
ACO Case
Breakdown
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January February March April May June July Hours YTD
Dog Walking 600.75 572.5 702.75 574.75 592.5 470 513 3323.75
Cat
Enrichment 24.75 24.25 26.25 29.5 47 42.25 125 319.75
Visitor
Support 0 .75 3.25 0 0 0 1.25 5.25
Total Per
Month 625.5 597.5 732.25 604.25 639.25 512.25 639.25 3648.75
Your Time Makes a Difference:
Volunteering
Total Hours: 3648.75
Dog Walkers: 86 volunteers
Cat Enrichment: 123 volunteers
Visitor Support Team: 13 volunteers
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Animal Control In Action:
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Nyx
Running around Columbia Park for
several weeks.
Evaded trapping for several more
weeks.
Animal Control partnered with
community trapper to capture her.
Once caught , she was brought in to
the TCAS medical team who were
on standby to treat her broken leg
with an amputation, start
vaccinations and tick treatment .
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Felines and Firefighters
September 2026
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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
The Pit Bull Pen
Okandogs Dog Rescue
Dave Buster Rescues
Madres Mutts
Tri-City Kitty
Mighty Meow
Blue Mountain Humane Society
Watson’s Paws for a Cause
SpokAnimal
S’mores Dog Rescue
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Pound vs.Shelter
WAC 296-17A-7308 is a classification that applies to:
•Businesses operating privately or publicly funded animal shelters/services, dog
pounds, or humane societies, which care for lost or unwanted animals or
animals that have been placed for adoption.
A pound and a shelter sit in the same state classification, but State statutes do not
create legal distinction. They are not the same operating model:
• Pound = impoundment, control, and temporary care
• Shelter = care plus placement/adoption workflow
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Tri-Cities Animal Control Authority Policy
Behavioral Evaluations
Purpose
A behavioral evaluation by a qualified animal behavior professional may be used to
inform the final disposition of an animal owned by the Animal Control Authority (ACA).
This policy establishes when a behavioral evaluation may be required, the information
considered as part of the evaluation, and the placement recommendations that may
result.
Scope
This policy applies to animals owned by the ACA for which a behavioral evaluation is
requested or required to assist in determining appropriate placement or final disposition.
Policy
1. Behavioral evaluations are necessary in the following cases:
a. Identified as placement resource through Animal Disposition Review.
b. The ACA Management Committee requests a behavioral evaluation to
assist in determining the appropriate disposition of an animal or in its
consideration of a Potentially Dangerous Animal or Dangerous Animal
declaration.
2. Behavioral evaluations shall consider the totality of available documentation,
history, and observations, including, as applicable:
a. Known behavioral history
b. Circumstances and severity of reported or observed incidents
c. Behavior observed by TCAS staff
d. Medical conditions that may influence behavior
e. Predictability, frequency, and severity of concerning behavior
f. Ability to safely manage identified behaviors
g. Reasonable placement options and restrictions
3. Behavioral evaluations shall result in one of the following placement
recommendations:
a. General Placement: The animal may be considered for adoption, foster,
rescue, or other appropriate placement consistent with standard TCAS
placement requirements.
b. Placement with Conditions: The animal may be considered for placement
subject to identified conditions or restrictions intended to reasonably
address known behavioral or safety concerns. Conditions may include an
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experienced adopter, specified household environment, or other
appropriate placement criteria.
c. Specialized Rescue: The animal requires behavioral management,
expertise, environmental conditions, or other support beyond what TCAS
can reasonably provide through general placement and may be
considered for placement with an appropriately qualified rescue
organization.
d. Placement Not Recommended: Based on the available information and
observation, placement would present an unacceptable or unreasonable
risk to public safety, staff safety, animal welfare, or the welfare of other
animals, or a humane and sustainable placement cannot reasonably be
achieved.
When placement is not recommended, TCAS shall complete a final
multidisciplinary review of the animal and provide its disposition
recommendation to the Parks & Recreation Director. When applicable, the
disposition recommendation shall then be referred to t he ACA
Management Committee for review and final determination.
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Tri-Cities Animal Control Authority Policy
Declaration of Potentially Dangerous or Dangerous Animals Owned by the
Animal Control Authority
Purpose
Upon expiration of the applicable stray hold period, animals remaining in custody at Tri-
Cities Animal Services (TCAS) become the property of the Animal Control Authority
(ACA).
Local municipal codes provide an appeal process for private owners whose animals are
formally declared Potentially Dangerous or Dangerous. Because no comparable appeal
process exists when the animal is owned by the ACA, an internal review process is
necessary to provide appropriate oversight of disposition decisions involving such
animals.
To promote consistency, transparency, and accountability in these decisions, the ACA
Management Committee shall review TCAS recommendations involving animals being
considered for a Potentially Dangerous Animal or Dangerous Animal declaration and
determine the final disposition of the animal.
Scope
This policy applies to animals in the custody and ownership of the ACA when behavior
observed or identified during their stay at TCAS raises concerns that may support
consideration of a Potentially Dangerous Animal or Dangerous Animal declaration.
This policy does not apply to animals that enter TCAS with documented behavior or
aggression that supports consideration of a declaration under applicable municipal
code.
Policy
TCAS shall regularly assess animal behavior and document observed behaviors that
present, or may present, safety or liability concerns.
When documented facts support consideration of a formal Potentially Dangerous Animal
or Dangerous Animal declaration for an animal owned by the ACA, TCAS shall refer the
matter to the ACA Management Committee for review and final disposition.
Once an animal has been referred to the ACA Management Committee for
consideration of a Potentially Dangerous Animal or Dangerous Animal declaration, the
animal shall not be adopted, transferred, released, or otherwise placed until the
Committee has completed its review and issued a final disposition decision, unless
immediate action is required by law or is medically necessary.
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If the ACA Management Committee determines that an animal should be formally
declared a Potentially Dangerous Animal or Dangerous Animal, the animal shall be
declared and humanely euthanized in accordance with applicable laws, regulations, and
TCAS procedures.
If, while the matter is pending review, humane euthanasia becomes medically
necessary to prevent undue pain or suffering, TCAS may proceed with euthanasia
without awaiting the Committee's final disposition. TCAS shall promptly notify the ACA
Management Committee of the animal's condition and the action taken.
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Tri-Cities Animal Control Authority Procedure
Animal Disposition Procedure
Purpose
This procedure is implemented to provide a proactive approach for animals within the care of
Tri-Cities Animal Services (TCAS) through concentrated efforts and available resources to
support positive outcomes.
1. Initial Intake Review (0–3 Days)
Animal Services Staff will:
• Complete the required legal holding period
• Perform an initial medical examination
• Complete a staff-level behavior assessment
• Photograph the animal
• Administer core vaccinations
• Implant a microchip, if applicable
• Enter all required information into the shelter management system
Decision Point
Determine immediate medical needs, including:
• Emergency veterinary treatment
• Isolation or quarantine requirements
• Behavioral safety concerns
• Immediate placement restrictions
2. Placement Planning (4–7 Days)
Animal Services Staff will:
• Determine appropriate placement pathway
• Schedule spay/neuter surgery, if applicable
• Complete the animal's adoption profile
• Verify that all public-facing information is complete and accurate
Decision Point
Determine adoption eligibility based upon:
• Medical condition
• Behavioral assessment
• Legal status
• TCAS and ACA policies
Animals not immediately eligible for adoption will have an identified plan.
3. Periodic Review (no later than 45 Days)
Review Team
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• Animal Services Manager
• Veterinarian
• Lead Kennel Technician
• Lead Customer Service Technician
• Lead Animal Control Officer
The team will review:
• Medical progress
• Behavioral progress
• Housing location
• Stress indicators
• Adoption interest
• Marketing effectiveness
• Foster opportunities
• Rescue outreach
• Previous placement efforts
Decision Point
The review team will identify:
• Barriers to placement
• Updated adoption strategy
• Additional medical or behavioral interventions
• Foster or rescue opportunities
Placement Actions
If appropriate, implement an enhanced marketing campaign including:
• Update the profile photograph with high-quality images
• Social media promotion
• Website feature
• Pet of the Week participation
• Rescue networking
• Foster recruitment
• Staff recommendation program
All actions will be documented in the shelter management system.
4. Comprehensive Case Conference (no later than 100 Days)
Review Team
• Animal Services Manager
• Parks & Recreation Director
Conduct a comprehensive case conference evaluating:
• Quality of life
• Medical prognosis
• Behavioral prognosis
• Public safety risk
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• Placement history
• Resource investment
• Shelter capacity impacts
Decision Point
Determine whether:
• Additional placement resources are justified such as behavioral evaluation
Required Outcomes
Develop a written placement plan that includes:
• Specific placement goals
• Assigned responsibilities
• Placement deadline
• Contingency plan if placement is unsuccessful
5. Final Placement Review (no later than 150 Days)
Responsible Parties
• Animal Services Manager
• Parks & Recreation Director
Review all previous interventions and determine whether additional placement efforts are
reasonably likely to achieve a positive outcome.
Consider:
• Quality of life
• Medical status
• Behavioral stability
• Public safety
• Length of confinement
• Available shelter resources
Decision Point
Determine the most likely disposition pathway and identify any final placement efforts to be
completed before the formal disposition review.
Required Outcomes
Document findings in the shelter management software.
6. ACA Management Committee Disposition Review (no later than 180 Days)
Responsible Party
• Parks & Recreation Director
• ACA Management Committee
Review:
• Complete case history
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• Medical records
• Behavioral records
• Placement efforts
• Marketing history
• Foster and rescue efforts
• Quality of life assessments
• Recommendations from shelter leadership
Decision Point
Approve or deny final disposition recommendation.
Possible outcomes may include:
• Continued adoption efforts
• Transfer to an approved rescue or partner organization
• Humane euthanasia
Required Outcomes
Document findings in the shelter management software.
Roles and Responsibilities
Position Responsibilities
Animal Services
Staff
Intake processing, daily care, medical and behavior observations,
adoption preparation, documentation
Lead Kennel
Technician Animal care oversight, behavior observations, housing recommendations
Lead Customer
Service Technician
Adoption promotion, customer engagement, profile management,
marketing coordination
Lead Animal Control
Officer Legal status review, public safety considerations, owner-related issues
Veterinarian Medical evaluations, treatment recommendations, quality of life
assessments
Animal Services
Manager
Oversee review process, chairs reviews, develops placement strategies,
coordinates interventions
Parks & Recreation
Director
Reviews extended care cases, authorizes resource allocation,
recommends final disposition to ACA Management Committee
ACA Management
Committee
Reviews executive disposition recommendations and potentially
dangerous and dangerous animal recommendations for animals which
are the property of the ACA
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