In just over a week, the city of Hemet will begin receiving animal control services through the Riverside County Department of Animal Services, under an $805,000 contract that will replace a nonprofit currently serving the municipality.
Earlier this month, the Hemet City Council voted to enter into a nine-month agreement with the Department of Animal Services, whose personnel will start responding to calls on Oct. 1.
The contract will end on June 30, 2024, with options for renewal.
“The reopening of the San Jacinto Valley Animal Campus is perfectly timed for this new and exciting partnership with the city of Hemet,” Department of Animal Services Director Erin Gettis said. “We are very much looking forward to providing services and resources to Hemet residents and their pets.”
According to a city statement, the new compact “represents a significant step forward in animal welfare for the city, providing residents with access to a broader range of services and expertise in animal care and control.”
Over the previous decade, Hemet has contracted with the San Jacinto-based nonprofit Ramona Humane Society. But the city said the organization’s “decision to shift its focus away from animal control and enforcement duties to concentrate on finding homes for sheltered pets” prompted concerns among officials about the level of service going forward.
A search was initiated for a replacement, and the Department of Animal Services “emerged as the best-suited partner to provide essential services,” according to the city.
The department provides animal control to most municipalities in Riverside County, as well as several entities outside the county. However, along with the Ramona Humane Society, the nonprofit Animal Friends of the Valleys also delivers animal control and shelter services in several locations, notably the cities of Murrieta and Temecula.