The Board of Supervisors approved on Tuesday a $900,000 contract spanning five years with an SPCA-linked nonprofit to provide clinical services for the Riverside County animal shelter in Thousand Palms.
On a 4-0 vote, with Supervisor Karen Spiegel absent, the supervisors authorized the Department of Animal Services to contract with Thousand Palms-based Animal Samaritans SPCA Inc. for spay/neuter services until June 30, 2024.
The agreement is retroactive to July 1.
According to the Department of Animal Services, the Coachella Valley Animal Campus lacks facilities for clinical procedures such as spaying and neutering, and Animal Samaritans fills the void satisfactorily.
The county initiated its first agreement with the nonprofit in 2002 and has maintained contracts on a rotating basis.
Animal Samaritans' facility is essentially next door to the county shelter on Pet Land Place.
"The services provided by Animal Samaritans will benefit citizens and animals who reside in the desert region of the county by providing localized spay and neuter services," according to a Department of Animal Services statement attached to the board agenda. "The ability to continue to provide spay/neuter surgeries for animals sheltered or owned by a resident is vital to controlling the pet population and to allow adoptions to continue without delay."
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According to Animal Samaritans, its veterinary staff perform an average 8,000 surgeries annually.
Costs generally range from $96 to $158, depending on the size of the cat or dog. Additional fees are applied for some breeds, according to the nonprofit.
