Telepeer

Seal Beach ends animal services contract with Long Beach, launches own program

July 3, 2023

Seal Beach has officially implemented its own animal control services program — ending its nearly 20-year contract with Long Beach’s agency.

The Long Beach Animal Care Services Department previously provided shelter, rescue operations, and animal licensing and enforcement to neighboring Seal Beach — until the agency moved to increase the costs of those services. Seal Beach’s new local program went into effect on Saturday, July 1, less than a week after the City Council OK’d it.

The program, though, had been under development for more than a year, Seal Beach officials said.

“Approximately 18 months ago, Long Beach notified the city of Seal Beach of impending cost increases to provide animal control cervices,” Seal Beach police Capt. Nick Nicholas said at the June 26 council meeting. “Cost increases prompted review of the Long Beach animal control contract.”

Seal Beach spent the next year or so weighing its options, including sticking with the Long Beach contract and absorbing the cost increase; entering into an agreement with Westminster; or establishing its own animal control program within the Seal Beach Police Department from the ground up.

Seal Beach chose the last option.

The city enrolled SBPD’s senior community officer and police aides in animal control training programs, and secured contracts with organizations to provide sheltering and wildlife services. The city also worked to obtain the equipment necessary to launch an animal control program and formalized its procedures for licensing and enforcement.

“We’re confident that our personnel are trained, equipped and ready to go into service immediately,” Nicholas said. “With any program, we know that there will be growing pains and bugs to work through. But we know that based on the assistance we’ve received from other agencies and the large amount of research that we’ve done, we’ll be able to tackle any issues that arise.”

It’s a big change for both the Long Beach and Seal Beach communities. Seal Beach had contracted with the Long Beach Animal Care Services Department since 2004.

Long Beach’s Stacyee Dains tapped as LA Animal Services general manager
Long Beach animal shelter still needs community’s help as capacity remains high
What LA County’s new environmental regulations mean for coastal July 4th fireworks shows
Long Beach’s newest aerospace company has plans to expand — and clean up space
Long Beach to scale back Belmont Pool project, aims to open in late 2025

Now, Seal Beach residents who need assistance with animal care — be it a lost pet or an issue with wildlife — should contact the SBPD at its non-emergency number, 562-594-7232, rather than Long Beach.

The SBPD will handle all matters relating to animal care, such as investigating violations of animal welfare, licensing pets, issuing citations, treating animals, and conducting community outreach and education.

“We wish to thank the city of Long Beach, their animal care program, staff and volunteers for the service they provided to Seal Beach for many years,” SBPD Chief Michael Henderson said in a recent press release. “Without their assistance and guidance, we would not have been able to bring animal control services back in-house.”

Seal Beach has yet to update their animal care website with information about the new program. Tthat additional information, Nicholas said, will be shared with the public via social media and other communications in the coming weeks as the department works to implement the new program.

Orange County Register

News Details

Seal Beach ends animal services contract with Long Beach, launches own program

Related links

News

CONTACT INFO

QUICK LINKS

SERVICES

CURRENT NEWS