sr-091179-6b8Santa Monica, CaT"fornia, August 23, 1979
T0: *layor and City Council SEP 1 1 999
FR0.2: City Staff
SUBJECT: Amendment to Salary Resolution No. 4646
Introduction
This report requests an amendment to Salary Resolution
No. 4646 establishing the salary for the classification
of Kennel Aide.
Background
In response to a request by the City Council, a broader
based salary survey for Kennel Aide has been conducted.
Findings
The salary survey conducted included eleven private
animal hospitals and boarding kennels and nine humane
societies and .public animal shelters. The xiean for the
former is $3.51 per hour while the mean for the latter
is $5.37 per-hour (E-step).
In comparing the private hospitals and kennels to the
humane societies and public shelters it was found that
the hours, benefits, levels of responsibility and pay
vary as do the amount of public contact and the degree
of supervision received. Basic duties for all 20
agencies include feeding and grooming the animals,
cleaning the cages and notifying the doctor or person
in charge when an animal exhibits symptoms of an illness.
Additional duties specific to the humane societies and
public animal shelters contacted, include assisting in
the euthanasia of the animals, assisting the public
in claiming or adopting pets and handling dangerous
animals.
SEP 1 1 1979
Con~nent~ from many of the private bearding kennels
and animal hospitals indicated that qualified kennel
aides were difficult to attract and keep at the lower
salaries.
In response to a request by Council, the Police Chief
studied the feasibility of hiring two part-time college
students to replace the full-time kennel aide. Due
to the variety of duties performed, and the anticipated
higher turnover of part-time personnel, frequent re-
training would be necessary. The Chief feels the time
involved in training would be counterproductive to
the operation of the City's animal shelter.
Recommendations
The function of a public animal shelter or humane
society is to care for runaway and dangerous animals
while a private boarding kennel or animal hospital
cares for pets whose owners pay for the services rendered.
Some of the duties, such as adoption of pets, euthanasia
and the handling of dangerous animals are specific to
the public.
Is is recommended that the City Council approve the
attached resolution establishing the salary of Kennel
Aide at $931.00 per month (E-step). This converts to
$5.37 per hour.
,~ t
Prepared by; R.N. Aronoff, Dir ~•
Administrative Ser ~ es