Breaking: PACCA to Bid on City Animal Control Contract

Last week, we told you about the city's Request for Proposals, i.e. contract bids, for a new animal control services contractor. At the time the RFP was released, the current contractor, PACCA (with which our beloved PAWS is connected) had decided not to bid for the contract because (a) the RFP was a sign that the city simply didn't want PACCA to remain as the contractor; and, more importantly, (b) the RFP did not include any language requiring that life-saving be a priority for the animal control services contractor. We were disappointed that PACCA wouldn't be submitting a bid and basically forcing the city to explain why it wasn't making lifesaving a priority by dumping PACCA. Well, things have changed slightly, and it looks like we're going to get what we want. The city has come under significant heat from animal lovers in the past week and a half, and has met with PACCA administrators and leaders regarding the organization's concerns. As a result of a meeting between city and PACCA officials last night, in which city officials acknowledged that adoption services were an essential, if not paramount, element of successful animal control, the PACCA Board of Directors unanimously voted to submit a bid for the contract. And we know that PACCA's bid will include substantial lifesaving measures, so perhaps we will get to see where the city stands on this issue after all.