Add your name to our petition today! 

Important Notice: A previous version of this online petition posted from December 1-4, 2023, incorrectly included termination demands. The petition has been restored to its original language, which is the language the petition signers signed.

The Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter is a Joint Powers Authority (JPA) serving the County of Santa Cruz, City of Santa Cruz, City of Scotts Valley, the City of Watsonville, and City of Capitola. Santa Cruz County Animal Services Workers provide a safe haven to neglected, abused, abandoned and mistreated animals across the region and lead in fostering and preparing animals for their forever homes.

We, the undersigned, urge the JPA Board to save the programs that provide support to our community and the animals that live in it by:

1) aligning JPA pay structure with the rest of county employees,
2) filling the necessary positions and
3) obtaining the necessary resources to preserve animal welfare and properly run and fund County shelters, already at overcapacity

The County of Santa Cruz and Animal Services (JPA) management continues to mismanage funds by feeding large hiring bonuses and increases in annual salary to managers, rather than hiring the staffing support needed to maintain programs and deliver services. When the County cannot properly budget and manage the animal service department, they are refusing their commitment to humane treatment of mistreated animals, workers, and the community of families the shelter system supports.