Santa Clara County and Morgan Hill have partnered to provide shelter for dogs, cats and other domestic pets, including horses and other large animals, for Morgan Hill residents.
The county’s animal shelter traditionally serves unincorporated areas of the county.
An Aug. 29 statement says the new agreement ensures all Morgan Hill residents can deliver lost domestic animals found in the city limits of Morgan Hill to the San Martin-based shelter.
The agreement will ensure that found animals receive shelter, food and veterinary care, including vaccinations, spay and neuter services and microchipping. The county reached a similar agreement with the City of Gilroy earlier in 2018.
“This agreement will provide wonderful benefits to the residents and stray animals in Morgan Hill,” said County Supervisor Mike Wasserman. “The partnership allows the police to focus on public safety matters, while professionals in the animal industry care for our four-legged friends in need of help.”
Historically, the Morgan Hill Police Department has been responsible for sheltering dogs within Morgan Hill. Additionally, the Morgan Hill Police Department was not positioned to accept cats or other domesticated pets. With the new shelter agreement, Morgan Hill residents can deliver stray animals to the County of Santa Clara Animal Shelter and be assured the animals will receive high-quality care and veterinary services.
“We don’t have an animal shelter in Morgan Hill and I’m very grateful, with the help from city staff, that we have this contract in place with the county for all the residents of Morgan Hill,” said Morgan Hill Councilmember Rene Spring.
The County Animal Shelter takes in approximately 3,000 dogs and cats annually in addition to small animals and barnyard pets. The shelter is the only one in the county with the capability to house horses and large livestock. It accepts stray animals of all conditions and had a “no-kill” live release rate of almost 93 percent in 2017, one of the best in the Bay Area.
Caring staff and volunteers provide veterinary services, enrichment and affection to shelter pets while they wait to find families. The shelter is a member of the WeCARE coalition that promotes life-saving and animal welfare in the community.
The animal services department is located at 12370 Murphy Ave. in San Martin and can be reached at (408) 686-3900 or
sc***************@ce*.org
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