A new report from the Sonoma County Civil Grand Jury has sharply criticized North Bay Animal Services, a major local animal shelter operator. According to the Press Democrat, the report alleges repeated violations of state law and industry standards, citing issues like failure to sterilize animals before placement, poor licensing management, lack of rabies clinics, and unfiled bite reports.
The grand jury also highlighted unsanitary conditions at the Petaluma shelter and pointed fingers at municipalities for insufficient oversight. North Bay Animal Services’ Executive Director, Mark Scott, stated they are taking the findings “very seriously.”
In response, Petaluma has already announced plans to seek new bids for its animal control contract. This report sheds light on broader issues within Sonoma County’s fragmented animal services system.