Full Notification

HOLLISTER, CALIFORNIA – December 29, 2022– The Hollister Animal Shelter was recently awarded a $14,000 save them all grant from Best Friends Animal Society.  This opportunity will allow the Hollister Animal Shelter and Best Friends Animal Society to work together through a mentorship.  The goal of this mentorship will help to further develop expertise and support to increase the Hollister Animal Shelter’s overall effectiveness and lifesaving impact. 
 
By accepting, these grant funds, the Hollister Animal Shelter will be required to commit to implementing new skills, programs, and protocols to increase positive outcomes.  Additionally, the Hollister Animal Shelter will allocate appropriate time for any staff members involved in the mentorship to work with the peer mentor team selected by Best Friends Animal Society. 
 
On May 18, 2022, the Hollister Animal Shelter conducted an initial meeting with their designated peer mentor team, the County of Santa Clara Animal Services.  The Hollister Animal Shelter’s specific needs were assessed, and goals were developed.
 
Night kennel services were identified as an area of overall ineffectiveness and outdated, inhumane practices.  By allowing after hours night kennel services to continue, this would allow animals in varying conditions to be left without proper care for prolonged periods of time and owners who do not wish to go through proper surrender protocols to abandon their animals.
 
On December 5, 2022, a resolution was brought before City Council to authorize an agreement between the City of Hollister Animal Shelter and Best Friends Animal Society.  City Council was provided with information and statistics regarding the current operations of night kennel services, as well as a brief presentation from the Hollister Animal Shelter’s designated peer mentor team, which currently does not offer night kennel services to the County they serve.  After providing this information before City Council, the closure of the Hollister Animal Shelter’s night kennels was approved. 
 
Beginning December 30, 2022, the night kennels will no longer be available for public use. 
 
Anyone experiencing an animal related emergency after hours can call 911.   Hollister Police Department Officers will continue to be a resource for animal related emergencies after hours and determine if a prominent response by Animal Control Officers is required.  This includes responding to aggressive stray dogs with no identifiable owner, severely injured stray domestic animals, and sick stray domestic animals.  Anyone with questions regarding this change in operations can call 831-636-4320.
 
Prepared by: Alyssa Bautista, AC Supervisor                                              
Approved by:  Rosie Betanio, Captain