Contra Costa County animal services helps keep pets safe
CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CA (Mar. 21, 2024) — Contra Costa Animal Services (CCAS) is committed to protecting the health, safety and well-being of all people and animals in our community.
CCAS’s responsibilities involve the investigations and enforcement of inhumane and dangerous animal allegations, domestic animal rescues and removal of deceased domestic animals. They also respond to calls about livestock on the loose, deceased wildlife on public property and animals potentially exposed to rabies.
California law mandates that cities and counties provide animal services. Every city in Contra Costa County, except Antioch, contracts with the county for these services. As a municipal shelter, we must accept all animals, except wildlife and exotic animals, who are abandoned, found or taken into custody.
The most well-known service CCAS provides is animal adoption. In 2023, 2,338 animals were adopted. The number of adoptions has increased every year since 2020. CCAS has worked hard to remove financial barriers and increased offsite opportunities to adopt, including mobile adoption events and community partnerships.
CCAS also runs the Animal Foster Program that allows residents to temporarily care for animals, providing them a break from the shelter. Other services include taking lost pet reports, animal ordinance enforcement and reunification services. CCAS manages licensing for all pets across Contra Costa County.
Lastly, CCAS is one of the largest providers of low-cost spay/neuter (S/N) surgeries in the county. This program’s impact has progressively increased over the last four years, from 2,378 in 2020 to 4,226 in 2023. CCAS has accomplished this through community S/N clinics, S/N of every animal who is adopted or returned to their owner from the shelter, and through grants to community organizations to provide additional low-cost S/N services.
However, demand far exceeds capacity, and Measure X funds will assist in expanding this program.
In December, I garnered support from my colleagues for a one-time distribution of $750,000 over three years in Measure X funds to support CCAS low-cost spay/neuter services, vaccination services, pet retention and micro-chipping efforts. As a dog owner, I want to ensure that CCAS can help owners keep their pets and thrive.
CCAS staff choose this challenging profession out of a profound love and commitment to animals. They provide care to the animals, resources to the animals’ families and assistance when an animal is separated from their home. CCAS staff are passionate and want to make a positive impact on the lives of animals in our community.
I invite you to learn more about CCAS by visiting https://www.contracosta.ca.gov/9974/Animal-Services.
Ken Carlson is Contra Costa County District IV supervisor. Email questions or comments to Carlson at SupervisorCarlson@bos.cccounty.us or call his office at 925-655-2350.