Parlier recognizes animal‑welfare partner, swears in officers and outlines animal‑control improvements

Parlier City Council opened its Oct. 19 meeting by recognizing Best Friends Animal Society for a $1,000 donation that purchased five large cages and supported the city's expanded animal control pound. City staff said the donation helped Parlier achieve a 2022 "no‑kill" recognition by the Best Friends network after exceeding a 90% save rate for dogs and cats.

The council then swore in promoted officers and new hires: Sgt. Manuel Chavez and Sgt. Raimondo Lopez were promoted from within, and the city introduced other new employees including a full‑time animal control officer, Jeremy Pruneida, and a code enforcement officer, Juan Mendez. The chief outlined the sergeants’ backgrounds, experience and testing process.

On animal control operations, staff said the pound is being expanded from six to 12 cages and that microchipping and spay/neuter programs are part of a multi‑pronged ordinance implementation strategy. A volunteer who identified herself as having worked with local youth sports asked about keys and park access; staff also described plans to work with the SPCA for low‑cost spay/neuter services, noting the SPCA requires a signed release of liability from owners prior to low‑cost surgeries.

City staff emphasized that recent staff turnover delayed some animal‑control work but said new hires and external partnerships — including Best Friends and SPCA support — should enable progress on microchipping, neutering and enforcement of illegal breeding provisions in the new ordinance.

Next steps: staff will follow up with SPCA on liability-release procedures and continue implementation of the expanded pound and microchipping program.