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City Explores Expanding Animal Services, Beyond Shelters

By Perry Smith Signal Senior Staff Writer

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The Santa Clarita City Council has held off on making plans for the city to open its own animal shelter, following recommendations and discussion with staff.

On Tuesday, May 9, the council unanimously approved staff suggestions — along with council members comments — on ways the city can support the efforts of the Department of Animal Care and Control. However, officials did not seem to see the need for a city-run, no-kill shelter.

“Animals have never been the problem,” Councilwoman Laurene Weste said, calling herself a lifelong advocate for animals who also mentioned her efforts to lobby for an animal-cruelty law. “The problem is us.”

The city didn’t need to create its own services when the county was able to meet local need, she said. Weste also called for the city to expand its existing programs to support animal care services locally.

“If Castaic needs some upgrades, I’d like to see us help with that,” Weste said, calling on the city to “step up to the plate,” mentioning grants and more support for spaying and neutering programs, which were the real difference-makers.

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