Banning Opens Its Own Animal Shelter

BANNING, CA — Effective Thursday, Banning will have its own animal control services and shelter. The nonprofit ARE Animal Rescue, Inc. entered into an agreement earlier this year with the city to operate a shelter on the city's behalf starting July 1, and Banning animal control officers will be taking over patrol and enforcement responsibilities.

The agreement with ARE Animal Rescue comes as a three-year contract between Riverside County Department of Animal Services and the City of Banning expires June 30.

The Banning shelter at 2444 Charles Street will now house lost and stray pets from within the city, as well as animals that are surrendered by residents. As of July 1, pet owners seeking to reunite with their pets should check for their lost animal at www.arerescue.org or visit the shelter.

Except for acutely injured or sick animals, ARE will hold all strays for at least three days and hold all licensed dogs for at least 10 days. Animals that are voluntarily surrendered by owners are exempted from the holding requirements and reasonable efforts will be made to promote their adoption where practical, according to the new agreement.

ARE Animal Rescue will provide humane euthanasia of acutely sick, injured and/or dangerous animals via certified personnel, and the shelter will use licensed veterinary services for injured and sick animals.

The shelter will collect a spay/neuter deposit for every adopted dog and cat. Deposits will be held by ARE and reimbursed directly to adoptees who obtain proof of pet sterilization from a veterinarian.

Pet licensing will be handled by the city.

Stray animals from Banning that were being held at a county facility will be transported to the Charles Street location.

According to city documents, the ARE Animal Rescue contract will offer cost savings to Banning.

"Compensation [to ARE] is based on the current rates/fees established by the City of Banning, plus annual compensation of $60,000 to be paid on a quarterly basis," city documents state. The agreement is for a term of five years and can be renewed for another five years.

ARE Animal Rescue is leasing the Charles Street location for $1 a year.

The contract with the county costs Banning $325,000 annually "and services are extremely limited," according to city documents. "During the first year of operation [with ARE], annual savings [are] projected to be $25,000 - $50,000. Savings in years two through five are projected to be in excess of $50,000."

The city is planning to spend an additional $42,000 for a new animal services vehicle, city documents show.

In addition to saving money, shelter location was another justification for not renewing with the county, according to the city.

"Our goal is to improve animal control services in the community by increasing the level of service with more animal control hours and local animal sheltering," according to city documents. "Residents of Banning will be able to recover impounded animals locally and adopt pets from the shelter."