Memorandum
Date: July 21, 2026
To: The Honorable Brad Rasmussen, Chair, Lake County Board of Supervisors
From: Rae Smith, Director of Animal Care and Control
Subject: a) Waive the Formal Bidding Process Pursuant to Article X Section 2-38.2(2) of the Lake County Code Due to The Unique Nature of the Goods or Services Precludes Competitive Bidding; and, b) Approve Contract Between County of Lake and Bennett Veterinary Professional Services, Inc. (DBA The Shelter Link), for Veterinarian of Record Services, in the Amount of $104,000.00 Per Fiscal Year from July 1, 2026, to June 30, 2027, and Authorize the Chair to Sign
Executive Summary:
Animal Care and Control (ACC) does not currently have a staffed veterinarian. Because of this, ACC has had to rely on external private-practice veterinarians within the County for treatment, diagnosis, and routine care for shelter animals. Additionally, a Veterinarian of Record (VOR) is necessary for the Shelter to be able to provide basic services and care for animals including but not limited to the administration of rabies vaccinations and the purchase, handling, and administration of controlled substances meant for the humane euthanasia of animals.
ACC previously had a verbally understood contract and heavy reliance with Dr. Susan Cannon, DVM, of Wasson Memorial Veterinary Clinic to provide these services as well as to serve as VOR so that ACC staff could carry out approved verbal and written procedures under her veterinary license. After several discussions with Dr. Cannon, ACC was advised she would be retiring soon and would not be able to serve as VOR indefinitely. This created a need to establish a new VOR so that the Shelter could perform critical procedures and services as needed.
Dr. Jennifer Bennett, DVM, of Bennett Veterinary Professional Services, Inc. (DBA The Shelter Link) approached ACC with a proposal to become ACC’s new VOR. She conducted an in-person assessment of the shelter, its staff, and operational needs and invited ACC’s Director, Rae Smith, to discuss services she could provide.
After inquiring about other options, it was determined that no other County veterinarians could or were willing to take on this role and responsibility which is critical to the operations of the Shelter. Many veterinarians are unable or unwilling to serve as VOR due to additional reporting requirements, a significant pull on their time which takes away from private practice, and the liability that can negatively impact maintaining their license to practice.
Dr. Bennett contracts with several other Animal Control agencies and serves in the capacity of VOR, rendering the same services that ACC needs. Additionally, ACC wanted a veterinarian who would be able to visit the Shelter on-site to render a variety of services which Dr. Bennett is able to do given her proximity to the area including driving distance.
Dr. Bennett and ACC’s Director discussed the scope of services and how that would affect continuity of services. It was determined that with her VOR services ACC would be able to not only continue their same services but potentially develop and follow additional veterinary protocols to better manage the health of shelter animals and reduce outside expenditures to private-practice veterinarians for services that could be managed in-house.
If not budgeted, fill in the blanks below only:
Estimated Cost: $104,000.00_ Amount Budgeted: $104,000.00_ Additional Requested: ________ Future Annual Cost: ________
Purchasing Considerations (check all that apply): ☐ Not applicable
☐ Fully Article X. <https://library.municode.com/ca/lake_county/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=COOR_CH2AD_ARTXPU_S2-38EXCOBI>- and/or Consultant Selection Policy <http://lcnet.co.lake.ca.us/Assets/Intranet/Policy/Policies+$!26+Procedures+Manual/Ch4_2021v2.pdf>-Compliant (describe process undertaken in “Executive Summary”)
☒ Section 2-38 <https://library.municode.com/ca/lake_county/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=COOR_CH2AD_ARTXPU_S2-38EXCOBI> Exemption from Competitive Bidding (rationale in “Executive Summary,” attach documentation, as needed)
☐ For Technology Purchases: Vetted and Supported by the Technology Governance Committee <http://lcnet.co.lake.ca.us/Assets/Intranet/Intranet+Forms/Information+Technology/AdvPlan.pdf> (“Yes,” if checked)
☐ Other (Please describe in Executive Summary)
Consistency with Vision 2028 <http://www.lakecountyca.gov/Government/Directory/Administration/Visioning/Vision2028.htm> (check all that apply): ☐ Not applicable
☒ Well-being of Residents ☒ Public Safety ☐ Disaster Prevention, Preparedness, Recovery
☐ Economic Development ☐ Infrastructure ☐ County Workforce
☒ Community Collaboration ☒ Business Process Efficiency ☐ Clear Lake
Recommended Action: a) Waive the Formal Bidding Process Pursuant to Article X Section 2-38.2(2) of the Lake County Code Due to The Unique Nature of the Goods or Services Precludes Competitive Bidding; and, b) Approve Contract Between County of Lake and Bennett Veterinary Professional Services, Inc. (DBA The Shelter Link), for Veterinarian of Record Services, in the Amount of $104,000.00 Per Fiscal Year from July 1, 2026, to June 30, 2027, and Authorize the Chair to Sign.