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To clarify, the Grand Jury's inquiry pertains specifically to the Animal Care Attendant (ACA) position, <br />not shelter staffing as a whole. And let's be clear about who these ACAs are and what they do: they <br />are the frontline staff providing direct care to the animals at the shelter (dogs, cats, barnyard animals, <br />and more.). <br />Despite the Grand Jury being very specific about who they are asking about, here is what Monica <br />Schmidt told the Board of Supervisors: <br />Monica — "I appreciate the opportunity to share a bit more in depth. So we do have a number <br />of positions that handle animals at the shelter, roughly about 90 out of 137. Animal Care <br />Attendant is just one of many classifications that assist with the care of animals on our <br />property. The other thing this report didn't necessarily have the ability to add in is the robust <br />volunteer program that we also have with a number of community supporters. We had nearly <br />400 volunteers the first six months of this year alone. The last quarter, that equated to about <br />15.7 full time positions in addition to what our staff does to support the animals. And so we <br />really have taken a look at it's a multi -faceted review, not a singular classification review of <br />where we say we have enough staff to care for the animals." <br />As concerned volunteers, please allow us to break this down for you: <br />"So we do have a number of positions that handle animals at the shelter, roughly about 90 <br />out of 137. Animal Care Attendant isjustone of many classifications that assist with the care <br />of animals on our property." <br />The Grand Jurywasn't asking about everyone who "assist[s] with the care of animals" (Animal Control <br />Officers, Intake Staff, Vet Staff, Foster Staff, etc.). These staff members all do important work, but the <br />Grand Jury is asking about the frontline staff who provide the direct, daily care ofthe animals.' (which <br />includes feeding, watering, cleaning, disinfecting, provide enrichment, handling adoption <br />introductions/visits with potential adopters and the potential adoptable dog(s), stocking the supplies <br />and bedding, transporting injured or sick dogs to the clinic for treatment, transporting adopted dogs <br />to the clinic when adopted.) <br />Monica's response tries to divert your attention away from the problem at hand: the shelter is <br />woefully understaffed in the ACA position, the only position the Grand Jury is talking about. Here are <br />the facts: <br />