With a shrinking budget, Lodi Animal Shelter struggles during peak hours

Lodi Animal Services Officer Brena Schweitz talks about different issues at the Lodi Animal Shelter that need improving. (Brian Feulner/News-Sentinel)

With a shrinking budget, Lodi Animal Shelter struggles during peak hours

By Maggie Creamer
News-Sentinel Staff Writer

Tuesday, March 10, 2009 6:22 AM PDT

Comments (2 comment(s))

With only two full-time employees, some part-time help and volunteers, the Lodi Animal Shelter sometimes has trouble keeping the office doors open during business hours.

Animal services officers work Monday through Saturday, and when there is only one-person on duty, it can be tough to handle the variety of calls the shelter receives.

"If we had someone in the office full-time, we could let the hours be what is posted and still go on call," said Brena Schweitz, animal services officer.

With the city budget shrinking, the Animal Commission, an advisory group to the Lodi City Council, discussed Monday night the possibility of having volunteers staff the office to handle some of the duties, like licensing animals and filling out voucher forms for the spay and neuter program.

Besides the office work, animal service officers are also responsible for handling lost or stray animals brought to the shelter and responding to calls for service to pick up animals in the community.

On Tuesday afternoon, Schweitz led a Jack Russell terrier into the office that had been found on the street. She scanned the dog's neck to get the name of a vet office from the microchip. As she was holding the dog's collar, a woman balanced a baby on her hip while filling out a dog license form. A man waited in line to see if his cat was among the many at the shelter.

While Schweitz managed to handle all the requests with a smile and in an orderly fashion, people were still stopping by the shelter while Schweitz was not in the office because she was checking to see if the man's cat was in the shelter.

The Lodi Animal Commission has released a report that recommends several improvements for the Lodi Animal Shelter. (Brian Feulner/News-Sentinel)

"We're just busy," she said. "We can handle the job, but with another person, we would be able to serve the public for calls or service more quickly."

The lack of staffing was one of several problems brought up at a Lodi City Council meeting in February. Lodi Advisory Committee member Rose Hilliard listed problems with the building including inadequate animal holding areas, ventilation and space to quarantine sick animals.

"It stinks, it's noisy and it's depressing," Hilliard said at the council meeting.

One of the projects moving forward to improve safety is the installation of grates in front of the cages, so staff and dogs will not fall or trip in the hole in the concrete. The grating will be paid for through money the city allocated previously to pay for improvements.

The city's liaison to the commission, Lodi Police Department's Lt. Bryan Noblett, said he is looking to use the rest of the money to replace flooring in the building or provide a cover to shield some of the outdoor cages. At the meeting, Hilliard also mentioned problems with collecting licensing fees and euthanasia rates increasing.

How to volunteer

To volunteer with People Assisting the Lodi Shelter, go to www.palslodi.org.

Click on "Ways to Participate" and then select the green Volunteer Application link. Fill out the application and return it to PALS. You can also call 224-0354 or stop by PALS at 1405 W. Kettleman Lane.

The city's Finance Department is no longer sending out licensing reminders to pet owners. This has resulted in only receiving $9,675 in licensing fees for this fiscal year, which ends June 30. In fiscal year 2007-08, the city made $30,634.

Noblett said he is working with the city staff in the Information Technology department to create online e-mail reminders.

The shelter has also seen euthanasia rates increase from 2007 to 2008. In 2008, 70 percent of cats and 20 percent of dogs brought to the shelter had to be euthanized. The staff is hoping to decrease the cat number through its feral cat program spay and neuter assistance program.

Contact reporter Maggie Creamer at maggiec@lodinews.com or read her blog at www.lodinews.com/blog/citybuzz.

Reader Feedback

Lodian wrote on Mar 12, 2009 2:27 AM:

" These animal service officers have a tough job. How great it would be if they were no longer needed for the disturbing aspects of their job. I'm sure they would be thrilled to only have to deliver lost pets back to their loving grateful owners.

Thank you for the job you do everyday. "

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