The powers and duties of the commission are as follows:
A. Provide recommendations to the city council on strategies, policies, and programs designed to:
1. Assist keeping people and their pets together through such things as reuniting lost pets with their owners, return-to-home and return-to-owner programs, and owner-surrender prevention programs;
2. Provide quality care for the animals housed at the city's animal care services center;
3. Encourage low-cost spay and neuter services, and identify methods for funding those services; and
4. Ensure the city's animal care services center meets or exceeds standards recommended in the Association of Shelter Veterinarians Guidelines for Care.
B. Promote awareness of:
1. Programs at the city's animal care services center;
2. Animals available for adoption at the city's animal care services center;
3. The importance of spaying and neutering to avoid animal over-population;
4. The importance of ensuring pets have appropriate medical care, including vaccines; and
5. The animal care services center's volunteer program.
C. Serve as a liaison with the community and provide a forum for public discussion on animal wellbeing and policies relating to animal wellbeing in the city.
D. Advise the city council on city ordinances and state legislation related to animal wellbeing in the city.
E. Annually, report and make recommendations to the city council regarding the status of animal wellbeing strategies, programs, and services in the city and the activities of the commission. (Ord. 2024-0036 § 1)