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34 One of Roseville’s community aspirations is to be a city where all people feel safe and secure, and 35 where mutual trust and respect are fostered between the community and emergency responders. 36 Ensuring humane, reliable, and accessible animal impound services is part of meeting that goal, as 37 these services directly affect both residents and the wellbeing of animals in our community. 38 Selecting a provider that reflects the City’s values and provides a high level of service is essential. 39 Companion Animal Center currently serves 45 municipalities across Anoka, Ramsey, and Washington 40 Counties in Minnesota, as well as St. Croix and Pierce Counties in Wisconsin, and is preparing to 41 expand services to additional cities seeking replacements for the Animal Humane Society. The 42 organization is also in the process of constructing a new facility in Oakdale scheduled to open in October 43 2025, further enhancing its service capacity. 44 In addition to providing impound services, Companion Animal Center partners with local 501(c)(3) 45 rescue organizations to place unclaimed or surrendered animals into foster care with the goal of 46 securing permanent adoptive homes. This approach helps ensure that animals are treated humanely 47 and that residents who encounter lost or abandoned pets know there is a compassionate process in 48 place. 49 Staff contacted several law enforcement agencies currently contracting with Companion Animal Center 50 and consistently heard positive feedback on both the value, quality and reliability of services. Based on 51 this input and the alignment with Roseville’s aspirations and service needs, staff believe Companion 52 Animal Center represents the most appropriate and effective provider. 53 54 55 Equity Impact Summary 56 In evaluating replacement providers, the Roseville Police Department considered the equity impacts of 57 cost, accessibility, and service availability. 58 One key factor was ensuring that impound fees would not create a significant burden for residents 59 reclaiming lost or found pets. The impound and associated fees charged by Companion Animal Center 60 are consistent with those charged by the Animal Humane Society. When financial hardship is a barrier, 61 RPD works with pet owners to connect them with nonprofits or explore alternative arrangements to help 62 offset costs. 63 Another consideration was location. Some potential providers are located more than 30–45 miles away, 64 which could present a significant hardship—particularly for residents with limited transportation access. 65 Companion Animal Center’s Oakdale location is within the immediate metro area, ensuring easier 66 access for residents and reducing the risk that transportation challenges would prevent reunification with 67 a pet. 68 In addition, RPD considered the broader community impact. Ensuring that animal control services 69 remain accessible and affordable helps prevent situations where unclaimed or abandoned animals 70 disproportionately affect residents in lower-income or historically underserved neighborhoods. By 71 contracting with Companion Animal Center, RPD can continue to provide humane and equitable animal 72 services across the community while reducing barriers that could otherwise fall unevenly on residents 73 with fewer resources. 74 75 76 Budget Implications 77 The proposed fee structure with Companion Animal Center is comparable to the current contract with 78 the Animal Humane Society. Whenever possible, RPD seeks to recover fees from animal owners. 79 However, in recent years, many impounded animals have been abandoned or unclaimed, making it 80 difficult to pass along the costs to the pet owners. Page 2 of 3 Qbhf!343!pg!354