Residents demand outside probe, oversight of city-contracted animal shelter after alleged mistreatment

Several Clear Lake residents urged the Clearlake City Council on July 6 to open an independent investigation and create oversight for the city-contracted animal shelter after they said an internal inquiry failed to protect witnesses and animals.

"Whoever made that decision to betray these witnesses is not fit for public office," said Kay Lopez during the public-comment period, accusing the city of publishing witness names after promising confidentiality and of prioritizing the shelter contract over animal welfare. Jean Janich, who said she was speaking as follow-up to a June 1 agenda item, asked for a "complete independent forensic audit of medical expenses, spay and neuter, adoptions, euthanasia" and proposed a standing oversight committee or watchdog group to meet monthly.

Christina St. Clair, who identified herself as a Calistoga business owner and a volunteer dog walker and transporter for the shelter, said she was told in March she could no longer volunteer after reporting inhumane conditions. "I can't help but feel like it was retaliation for my speaking up," St. Clair said, adding that promised deadlines for North Bay to vacate a warehouse (May 16) have elapsed with no public update.

Charmaine Walden of the Clear Lake Animal Association urged the council to consider a funded community TNR (trap-neuter-release) program for community cats and offered her organization's help in implementing it. "By helping animals, you're helping people and vice versa," Walden said.

Council members and staff did not take formal action on the complaints during the meeting. Mayor Perdock and staff directed speakers to meet with city staff after the meeting (one staff referral named Mr. Flora and Detective Ryan Peterson). Several commenters asked specifically for transparency about spay/neuter follow-up for adopted animals and for documentation of vet expenditures that Janich described as inconsistent with vendor behavior.

The comments tie back to matters discussed at a June 1 agenda item, according to speakers; the council did not vote on investigation or audit steps at this meeting. Several residents requested the council either commission an outside investigation or present a clear timeline for corrective actions and accountability.

The council proceeded to other agenda items after closing public comment; no formal investigation directive or motion was recorded in the Jul. 6 minutes.