4. Confirm 2026 Mayoral Appointments of City Councilmembers to Council Standing Committees and Various Regional Authorities, Agencies, Commissions, and Committees File ID: 2025-01892
I have watched most Animal Wellbeing Commission meetings going back to when it went by another name—years worth. There are some commissioners that have put a great deal of time into researching issues and others who just complain. I have put hours of research into examining the issues surrounding shelters, rescues and animal welfare as an animal lover.
—Shelter overcrowding is everywhere. Current shelter guidelines were developed by a large panel of experts because of this crisis. No one “loves” current shelter guidelines, but it’s the best plan based upon the behavior of a large portion of our society of pet owners and government budgets for shelters.
—We need to focus more on pet owners and less on what we consider the shortcomings of shelters. Just like public buildings, shelters have a limited capacity per building and for the # of employees. The attacks on shelters cause staffing shortages and shelters to close.
—Education on pet ownership should be required before a pet is adopted—properly securing pets, the costs of caring for pets, the handling of pets, responsibility in case of bites, leash laws, spay and neuter, vaccinations, etc.
People blame public agencies for not providing enough low cost clinics for pets. While those are nice, one can’t depend on those—every agency has a budget, just like every household.
I don’t mind buying pet food for my neighbors for a month or two when they’re in a tough spot, but it seems like once you assist with a vet bill or two, everyone is knocking down your door.
—Pets are a commitment. Having spent over 10K on my pets this year as two didn’t qualify for insurance, that’s just the price I pay for having pets. I just miss out on a trip and a patio replacement this year.
—How do we advocate for No Kill shelters when a chunk of society doesn’t take care of their pets and they are out running loose constantly? People and leashed pets are being attacked/bitten by loose dogs? Pets are not being treated for illnesses or even vaccinated for rabies? People dump their pets off by the shelter rather than have their tumors treated. People dump their aggressive dogs rather than train them? Is the city going to take on all the costs of medical treatment and training for owners that didn’t bother? How many times are we going to let dogs attack before they are euthanized? What are we going to do about all the backyard breeders who sell a few pups, then drop the rest off at the shelter? These are all issues created by humans, but the animals pay the price. But realistically, we can’t fix many of these animals once they are too sick or have been untrained or trained to be aggressive for too long.
There are already too many animals for the # of homes available.
Do we want to warehouse pets for years? Is that good for the pets?
—And last, why do we have a Commission anymore? They have no authority. Part of the commission, including the person being nominated tonight, have very publicly denounced Front Street. I find it odd sometimes when I listen to the commission meetings—they blame the current Front Street director for following the same guidelines that 90% of the shelters follow. I don’t know the current director personally, but he’s been screamed at publicly for things that weren’t even his decision and never even lost his composure. Everyone must know that public entity contracts have to be reviewed by attorneys before approval. Those commissioners that have put hours into researching, developing plans/ideas or volunteering to make Front Street better, I commend. They have been an asset to Front Street and the city. I’m concerned we have been moving toward just lots of bickering between members of the commission—the doers/researchers versus those who yell the loudest, but don’t research.
I don't know where the city will find experts that don’t follow current shelter guidelines—they are few and far between. The city and community need to be more supportive of shelter personnel or they will always be looking for staff. It’s a very difficult and emotionally draining job.
I know the council members have hundreds of issues to research. I believed the loudest voices for some time until I finally made the time (and it was many, many hours) to research shelters, rescues and animal care. Sadly, many rescues are a sad state of affairs too. They may have begun with good intentions, but quickly deteriorated due to lack of funds and volunteers turning into hoarding situations.
I urge the council to approve this project. It will bring many jobs to the region, both temporary and long term, at a time when the economy is not what we would like it to be. Progress is necessary for the growth of our city
Mark Rodriguez, activist
at November 28, 2025 at 10:48am PST
Please do not go to Sun Spa, located at 6804 Fruitridge Rd #A
Sacramento, CA, 95820, as well as q spa, located at 4215 Norwood avenue, suite #12, sacramento, ca, 95838, They will all claim that they are too busy for you.
I have watched most Animal Wellbeing Commission meetings going back to when it went by another name—years worth. There are some commissioners that have put a great deal of time into researching issues and others who just complain. I have put hours of research into examining the issues surrounding shelters, rescues and animal welfare as an animal lover.
—Shelter overcrowding is everywhere. Current shelter guidelines were developed by a large panel of experts because of this crisis. No one “loves” current shelter guidelines, but it’s the best plan based upon the behavior of a large portion of our society of pet owners and government budgets for shelters.
—We need to focus more on pet owners and less on what we consider the shortcomings of shelters. Just like public buildings, shelters have a limited capacity per building and for the # of employees. The attacks on shelters cause staffing shortages and shelters to close.
—Education on pet ownership should be required before a pet is adopted—properly securing pets, the costs of caring for pets, the handling of pets, responsibility in case of bites, leash laws, spay and neuter, vaccinations, etc.
People blame public agencies for not providing enough low cost clinics for pets. While those are nice, one can’t depend on those—every agency has a budget, just like every household.
I don’t mind buying pet food for my neighbors for a month or two when they’re in a tough spot, but it seems like once you assist with a vet bill or two, everyone is knocking down your door.
—Pets are a commitment. Having spent over 10K on my pets this year as two didn’t qualify for insurance, that’s just the price I pay for having pets. I just miss out on a trip and a patio replacement this year.
—How do we advocate for No Kill shelters when a chunk of society doesn’t take care of their pets and they are out running loose constantly? People and leashed pets are being attacked/bitten by loose dogs? Pets are not being treated for illnesses or even vaccinated for rabies? People dump their pets off by the shelter rather than have their tumors treated. People dump their aggressive dogs rather than train them? Is the city going to take on all the costs of medical treatment and training for owners that didn’t bother? How many times are we going to let dogs attack before they are euthanized? What are we going to do about all the backyard breeders who sell a few pups, then drop the rest off at the shelter? These are all issues created by humans, but the animals pay the price. But realistically, we can’t fix many of these animals once they are too sick or have been untrained or trained to be aggressive for too long.
There are already too many animals for the # of homes available.
Do we want to warehouse pets for years? Is that good for the pets?
—And last, why do we have a Commission anymore? They have no authority. Part of the commission, including the person being nominated tonight, have very publicly denounced Front Street. I find it odd sometimes when I listen to the commission meetings—they blame the current Front Street director for following the same guidelines that 90% of the shelters follow. I don’t know the current director personally, but he’s been screamed at publicly for things that weren’t even his decision and never even lost his composure. Everyone must know that public entity contracts have to be reviewed by attorneys before approval. Those commissioners that have put hours into researching, developing plans/ideas or volunteering to make Front Street better, I commend. They have been an asset to Front Street and the city. I’m concerned we have been moving toward just lots of bickering between members of the commission—the doers/researchers versus those who yell the loudest, but don’t research.
I don't know where the city will find experts that don’t follow current shelter guidelines—they are few and far between. The city and community need to be more supportive of shelter personnel or they will always be looking for staff. It’s a very difficult and emotionally draining job.
I know the council members have hundreds of issues to research. I believed the loudest voices for some time until I finally made the time (and it was many, many hours) to research shelters, rescues and animal care. Sadly, many rescues are a sad state of affairs too. They may have begun with good intentions, but quickly deteriorated due to lack of funds and volunteers turning into hoarding situations.
I urge the council to approve this project. It will bring many jobs to the region, both temporary and long term, at a time when the economy is not what we would like it to be. Progress is necessary for the growth of our city
Please do not go to Sun Spa, located at 6804 Fruitridge Rd #A
Sacramento, CA, 95820, as well as q spa, located at 4215 Norwood avenue, suite #12, sacramento, ca, 95838, They will all claim that they are too busy for you.