In January 2017, the City of Garden Grove will be taking over animal control services from the County of Orange in an effort to reduce overall service costs to the City. A major component of services provided is animal registration and licensing which will require focused attention and oversight.

PetData is a company whose sole purpose is animal licensing.  Since 1994, PetData has established contracts with over 60 local government agencies across the United States to manage all aspects of the licensing component.  In California, their clients include Culver City, Dana Point/San Clemente, Newport Beach, Oakland, San Luis Obispo, San Mateo County, and Santa Barbara.

Unlike other companies who sell animal licensing software, PetData is the only company that provides both user software and a processing capability.  They produce and mail notices, handle all phone calls, manage a website for online payments and registration, create and organize a database, and create related reports. Additionally, they will provide information and forms for the City to use at public events and in veterinary offices.  The City maintains ownership of all the data, which can be incorporated into existing City systems.  PetData will work with the County and its software provider to import the license information from the last five years. Additionally, PetData will deposit the license fees directly into our banking institution.

Start-up costs for the system is a flat fee of $1,000 and the all-inclusive fee per license issued is $4.10.  Based on information from the County, there are approximately 13,200 active animal licenses.  Yearly operating costs are estimated to be $54,200.  As more licenses are issued, the cost for this service would increase.  Due to this unknown factor, a projected not-to-exceed yearly amount of $60,000 for a period of five years is requested.  This service will be paid for using the funds generated from the license fees.  Therefore, there will not be any impact to the General Fund.  Additionally, all remaining license revenues in excess of the license issuance fees will be used to offset animal control program costs.

It is recommended that the City Council:

• Approve the agreement with PetData, Inc., in the not to exceed annual amount of $60,000 per year for the term of the agreement, executed as one, three-year term (not to exceed $180,000) and two optional one-year terms; and

• Authorize the City Manager to execute the agreement and make any minor modifications as appropriate thereto.

By:     Mark Ladney, Public Works Supervisor