Another factor that hasn't been discussed is that the Palo Alto animal services, despite having a substandard facility, truly care about both the animals and the people who they belong to (or may in the future belong to.) Compared to the ASPCA's fancy "shelter" in San Jose, Palo Alto is a shanty, but the heart of the people working there shows through and matches homeless animals with new owners without the SPCA's bureaucratic, judgemental, and heartless system. One has to believe that animals truly cared for are going to do better than in the impoersonal, gilded cage of glass and metal that the SPCA (and probably SVACA, though I haven't seen it) provide.

Can they write leash law tickets? People seem to think they can run their dogs off leash in any city park. I drove past Bubb Park multiple times this weekend. Each and every time I saw at least one dog off leash. Bubb seems to have become an "Unofficial" dog park; another word for illegal dog park. We need enforcement in the shape of TICKETS!

Our family has adopted two kittens, NEITHER from SVACA. That place is RIDICULOUS! I think some people adopt kids in less time and w/ less paperwork takes to adopt a kitten from there. If their animal control services are anything like their adoption services - WATCH OUT!

The people who work at the PA Shelter are WONDERFUL. They are the nicest people and they give the impression that they REALLY CARE - without all the harassing, time and paperwork of SVACA.

The PA Shelter is an excellent facility. They provide a wide range of AFFORDABLE services. Please try to negotiate with them. I would hate to lose this local resource!

You can always use the PA shelter to adopt. You don't need to be a resident or have them working with your city.

I find it comical yet frustrating that people who post comments about one agency or another do not take the time to do the research before they go run their mouth to the public. Giving misinformation to the public is not wise. There are always going to be unpleasant experiences regardless of what business you are in especially with animal control agencies considering they are responsible to enforce laws. In correction to an above comment, the San Jose shelter is not affiliated with the ASPCA. Also, luckily I have had nothing but positive experiences with SVACA and ALL the staff new each animal by name and could tell me all about their personality. That's pretty 'personable' if you ask me. As far as SVACA's adoptions process goes, I speak from experience because I have adopted from them. There are some requirements to adopt because it is important to them to find 'forever' homes for the animals. If you are being honest on your application the requirement are very simple to meet. Most shelters in general have a fairly high return rate meaning animals that were adopted were returned for whatever reason. SVACA's return rate is almost unheard of at 2% (ish) which is amazing and proof that the process is a success. I was passing through Mountain View when I found a dog and I called PA animal control for assistance & when I asked the representative if they provide services to Mountain View the exact response I got, word for word, was "Um.... very limited. What do you need." I do not judge on this one experience alone but boy does that say a lot!! I know residents may have to travel a few extra miles but hey, most people travel a few extra miles for a cheaper gas station! Sunnyvale went through a similar deal when HSSV moved to Milpitas. Of course with any change there is an adjustment period, but it's working out just fine. More service for less money? Sounds like a great deal to me.

Well, one thing is for sure, PASS has an great field Animal Control Officers. They are always driving around keeping the city clean, picking dead animals. SVAC DON NOT DO THAT, I KNOW IT FOR SURE BECAUSE I LIVED IN SANTA CLARA AND SVAC OFFICERS DON NOT GO AFTER DEAD ANIMALS. I think Mountain View Police chief is making a big MISTAKE BY MAKING THIS CHANGE. WITHOUT SAYING ABOUT THE NICE PEOPLE AT PAAS.

Big mistake chief. SVCA does not even provide a good service to santa clara. BIG mistake chief. big,big,big mistake....

I could not believed when i read this! First of all" Mountain Police Chief does not care about animals at all, He only cares about the money. I lived in Santa Clara for many years and as an animal lover, i always had a problem with SVCA. First, SVCA never showed up when i called them, not even for an emergency. Another time that i need them, it took 2 hours for an Officer to arrive and after waiting for 2 hours "Officer was in a such bad mood that the stray cat took off He did not even see cat running way between His legs". How about the shelter Paas is an old shelter i agree on that, but you can tell how the animals are loved in that shelter, now svca shelter is newer but if you walk in there and if you understand about animals you can easily tell how sad the animals are. Also i think it is an insult from Police Chief to do such a change without asking what the Mountain View citizens or should I say TAX PAYERS want for their animals. I live in Mountain View and i will be very dissapointed with this change and i hope Mountain Police Chief will keep PAAS and maybe just ask PAAS to do more regarding the whatever HE wants.

Come on, the issue here is money. SVCA will be cheaper but after many things that i heard about SVCA, WE Mountain View citizens will not get a good job from SVCA. But guess what the City, the Police Chief or city council don not give a shit about it. They don not even care about animals. They have one thing in mind, MONEY, MONEY ,MONEY,. Now if you live in Mountain View you gonna have to drive all the way to Santa Clara to do anything relate to "your best friend... Dog".

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