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Only One Bid For New Fresno Animal Control Services

By Justin Willis & Angela Greenwood, KSEE24 News
August 16, 2012 Updated Aug 16, 2012 at 6:55 PM PDT

Only one bid was submitted, but is it what the animal control task force is looking for?

City officials remain tight-lipped about that one bid for Animal Control Services, but supporters for a new animal control agency say whoever takes over needs to maintain transparency with the public over its operations.

Stacey Houk, Hope Animal Foundation: "We need to find an organization that's going to really reach out and help us gain, not only the funding, not only support, but also just the clarity to see that we as pet owners, we as citizens and people who don't have pets, deserve something better in the community."

The deadline to submit for a new animal control contract ended at 2:00 p.m.

The SPCA had that contract up until recently, dealing with nearly 50,000 stray pets a year, but that contract is up.

According to city officials, the SPCA has agreed to continue providing those services, but only temporarily.

Bruce Rudd, Asst. City Manager: "If the animal is sick, injured or public safety, that's what's required under state law, but if there isn't anything wrong with the animal, there isn't a mandate we have to take it in."

There is only one bid, but the city and supporters for new animal control services say it has to be done right.

According to the website Fresno Humane Solution, between the county and the city, $3.2 million is allocated for animal control each year.

That breaks down to about $64 per animal, which is the lowest cost per animal in the state.

Officials are looking to revamp their entire way of doing things and have hired experts from UC Davis to help.

Clint Olivier, Council President: "We bring in these consultants in. These are the experts. These are the smartest people in the world when comes to providing animal control in the community."

As far as the one bid for new animal control services, details of that are expected to be revealed Friday morning at a special meeting of the animal control task force.

The Animal Control Task Force hopes to have a new agency in place by September 30, 2012.

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