Petaluma is cutting ties with its longtime animal shelter provider after disturbing reports of neglect surfaced from a neighboring county.
The Sonoma Index-Tribune reports the City Council voted unanimously to terminate its contract with North Bay Animal Services effective March 31st. The decision follows allegations that the group left over 100 dogs in “deplorable” conditions at a shelter it managed in Clearlake.
While Petaluma officials say their local facility did not show similar signs of neglect, they cited a total breakdown in trust and a lack of transparency from the organization’s leadership.
Supported by a critical Civil Grand Jury report and several regional humane societies, the city is now searching for an interim provider to take over shelter operations.
