Council Ends Humane Society Contract After 40 Years

The Pomona City Council has voted to discontinue its contract with the nonprofit Pomona Valley Humane Society after nearly 40 years of service, choosing a for-profit company to provide animal control services.

Councilman C. L. (Clay) Bryant pushed for the change, saying the new company would better serve Pomona residents and would save the city money.

“We’re improving the service, and it’s costing us less,” Bryant said.

A report prepared by Phillip E. Steward, president and owner of the Companion Animal Care Center, said the new company would provide a “full-service, all-under-one-roof, one-stop animal service center.”

During the first year, the company will provide all animal care and control services for city residents, establish a retail pet and supply outlet, make available pet grooming and boarding services, and employ a licensed veterinarian.

Board members of the Humane Society were doubtful the new company could provide all those services.

“I can’t believe they did this without further investigation. . . . It is unbelievable to take on a venture that has never been taken before over an agency that has been here for 40 years. They are a company, not an organization,” said Humane Society Executive Director Bill Harford.

The contract between the city and the Humane Society ended July 1, 1989, but the organization had provided services based on an informal agreement since then. The informal agreement expires Dec. 31.

The council voted to begin its contract with the new company March 1 but did not stipulate who would provide animal control services during January and February. Humane Society board members said they are not sure whether they will continue to serve the city during those months.

The Humane Society had asked Pomona for $473,910 for its traditional animal control services for the 1989-90 fiscal year, which was $66,000 more than the previous year.

Steward said he will provide the same services for $390,000. In addition to the city funds for animal control, the firm plans to offer the pet supplies, grooming, veterinary and other services on a for-profit basis.

Although the company is new, Bryant said he is confident that it can provide adequate service.

“I don’t see how they can fail, and they will save us $80,000 a year. That’s just the minimum,” Bryant said.

The new operation will be housed at the former Sears Service Center at 1600 E. Holt Ave. in Pomona. In his report, Steward said Pomona residents will receive preferential treatment in hiring, which could create about half a dozen jobs.

Dr. Harvey Good, vice president of the Humane Society board, said he thought that the council did not treat his group fairly.

“We were ready to do some negotiating with our contract. It was a predetermined fact by Bryant that he had determined to cease working with the society,” Good said. “We’re sorry it happened. We plan to stay where we are, and we’ll carry on with (other) services in all areas of Pomona Valley.”