MISSION VIEJO : City Council to Decide on Sharing Pet Shelter
The city will share its animal shelter with Laguna Niguel if the City Council approves a one-year deal today.
Under the contract, which was approved by Laguna Niguel last week, most costs of running the shelter would be split by the two cities based on population.
As the larger city, Mission Viejo would pay 62% and Laguna Niguel about 38% of the expected $540,000 annual operating costs, officials said.
Laguna Niguel has agreed to expand the shelter by building 16 additional dog kennels.
The city also will share in the planned addition of a facility to house cats.
Both cities would have the right to terminate the agreement with one year’s notice.
In December, Laguna Niguel canceled its animal control services contract with the county, following Mission Viejo, which terminated its contract agreement with the county in 1993.
Both cities split with the county after residents indicated they favored a policy of keeping animals alive.
The county shelter euthanizes animals after a waiting period.
Mission Viejo pays an additional $80,000 annually to run the shelter over the cost of the county contract.
The addition of Laguna Niguel will reduce that figure by about $30,000.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
