CCAS COVID-19 Shelter Services Update
(Updated June 10, 2020)
Over the last few weeks, Contra Costa Animal Services (CCAS) has begun working on a Departmental re-opening and social distancing plan. Our primary concern is that CCAS has the appropriate social distancing practices for our staff, volunteers and members of the public before we reopen our public services (e.g S/N, vaccination clinic, etc.). CCAS hopes to implement our department wide social distancing plan on or before July 6, 2020.
Please note: CCAS has and will continue to offer adoption, return-to-owner, lost and found, stray impounds services through appointments during the County’s Health Order.
For more information call 925-608-8400.
Current Services:
*Everyone visiting CCAS at this time MUST wear a face covering.
Shelter/Medical Operations:
◦ Pinole Shelter will close to the public and to impounds.
◦ The Martinez Shelter and Spay/Neuter Clinic will be closed to the public, with the exception of the following categories that will be by appointment only:
◦ Lost/Found by appointment only.
◦ Return To Owner (RTO) cases will still be allowed - by appointment only.
◦ Transfer Partners will be allowed to pull animals - by appointment only.
◦ All Adoption and foster services will be offered virtually and by appointment only. Visit our Foster Program page and Adoptions page for more information.
◦ The CCAS Public Spay/Neuter clinic will be closed until further notice.
◦ All Vaccination Clinics suspended until further notice.
◦ Our TNR/RTF program is operating on a limited basis. For more information, please visit our Spay/Neuter & Vaccination Clinic page.
◦ All Owner Surrenders will be suspended, unless a dog presents as a public safety risk, severe behavior and/or urgent medical need.
Clerical Staff:
◦ Regular CCAS dispatch services will continue.
◦ Call Center will remain open and will be the main resource for the public.
◦ The Martinez Shelter front lobby will be monitored by staff to assist patrons who have appointments.
◦ All auxiliary duties will continue (e.g. billing, bite reports, noise ordinance, etc.).
◦ All licensing requests will be directed to Pet Data online only.
Volunteers: We will be cancelling all volunteer shifts until further notice. During this period, we may need volunteers to assist with department tasks and will reach out when we identify tasks that may require volunteer support.
Field Services:
◦ Impounds limited to:
◦ Stray aggressive, if necessary.
◦ Stray sick or injured.
◦ Biter quarantines, if necessary.
◦ Domestic versus Wild- known contact- If necessary- Quarantine at home preferably.
◦ Inhumane cases wherein exigent circumstances exist for immediate acute medical care is needed.
◦ Police/Fire assists, if necessary.
◦ Stray confined animals, as needed.
◦ Field Services will continue to focus on emergency-based calls primarily rabies exposure, sick, injured and acute inhumane activities.
◦ Field Services will not be responding to search warrants, or non-emergent types of calls.
◦ Potentially Dangerous and Dangerous Animal Ordinance Investigations:
◦ Impound if:
◦ the case is emergent and severe injuries sustained; we shall impound for biter quarantine.
◦ Owner/Surrender in lieu of PDA/DA Permit process. Continue process of notification of PDA surrendered in lieu of permit process.
◦ Do not impound if:
◦ There is no threat to a resident in the home, or to public safety, should the animal stay with its owner. The PDA/DA will be handled at a later time, out of custody.
◦ Calls such as Domestic versus Domestics, non-priority inhumane calls, will be handled out of custody once this legal order is lifted.
Contra Costa Health Services
Bay Area Counties Health Officers’ Order Summary
The Health Officers have taken these new steps to slow the spread of the highly contagious COVID-19 virus. Without this restrictive action, our healthcare systems may become overwhelmed.
While these measures are drastic and will impact millions of people in unique and challenging ways, Health Officers from across the region strongly believe that if these measures are delayed the situation will become worse, with more serious illness and death.
The main provisions of the Health Order are as follows:
Anyone visiting or working at an essential business must wear face coverings to help reduce the spread of COVID-19
- Public transit and government workers must wear masks when they come close to others, or when the public is likely to be present
- Businesses must take reasonable measures, such as posting signs, to remind visitors about masking, and not to serve customers who do not observe the order
All residents should shelter at home and leave only for "essential activities" or "essential travel" which include:
◦ Performing tasks essential to their family’s health and safety, including their pets
◦ Obtaining necessary services/supplies, including groceries
◦ Engaging in outdoor activities without coming into close contact with others
◦ Performing work at an "essential business" (defined below) or to carry out activities permitted in the Health Order
◦ Obtaining services at any healthcare facility (including veterinary care but not gyms)
◦ Travel to obtain or deliver goods or services to households or other entities
◦ Travel to care for elderly, minors, dependents, persons with disabilities, or other vulnerable persons. Including pets.
◦ Travel to educational institutions to receive materials for distance learning or meals and other related services
◦ Travel related to providing or accessing services exempted in the order
All non-essential businesses shall cease operation except to maintain "minimum basic operations". Essential businesses include:
◦ Healthcare operations
◦ Grocery stores (including stores like Target that sell both grocery and non-grocery items)
◦ Pharmacies and healthcare supply stores
◦ Gas stations, auto supply and repair
◦ Banks and financial institutions
◦ Hardware stores, plumbers, electricians, exterminators and other services to maintain safety and sanitation and essential operations of homes and businesses
◦ Educational institutions for purposes of facilitating distance learning
◦ Laundromats and dry cleaners
◦ Restaurants and prepared food facilities, but only for delivery or carry out (no table service)
◦ Airlines, taxis, and other private transportation providers for essential activities
◦ Businesses that supply other businesses providing products or services exempted in the Health Order
◦ Shipping and mailing services including PO boxes
◦ Businesses that deliver goods and services directly to residences
◦ Childcare facilities to enable employees exempted in the Order to work
◦ Home-based care and residential facilities for seniors, adults, children
◦ Essential governmental functions and essential infrastructure
◦ Newspapers, TV, and other media
Other important points:
◦ All gatherings of any number are prohibited except as needed to carry out essential activities, maintain operation of essential businesses, or for essential governmental functions.
◦ All first responders, law enforcement personnel and those performing essential governmental functions are exempt from the Order.
◦ This Order does not apply to the operations of Federal and State agencies, this includes airports.
◦ Public transit remains open to allow people to engage in "essential travel".
◦ Each local governmental entity shall identify which employees are needed to continue providing essential governmental functions.
More details about COVID-19 at: https://www.contracostahealth.org/