San Bernardino, Calif. – The City of San Bernardino’s Animal Services Department is pleased to announce the award of grant funding from the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians in the amount of $1.5 million to be disbursed over three fiscal years.
The grant is intended to kick-off efforts by the city to improve general operations of the existing San Bernardino Animal Shelter and eventually build a new shelter. In November 2020, the city council created a donation fund so individuals and organizations could support this effort and improve future animal care programming.
“We are looking forward to working with the city on what we hope provides a great opportunity for the community and our animal friends,” said San Manuel Band of Mission Indians Chairman Ken Ramirez. “As stewards of the land and of its inhabitants, we follow our ancestor’s legacy by not only looking out for our people and the community, but also its animals.”
The shelter is a critical resource for residents throughout the region, and where many in the community come to adopt a new family member or receive veterinary care to help them keep their current pet.
“We have seen time and again how much San Manuel has shared their commitment to the well-being of our community, so it’s not a surprise that they have stepped up to help improve the shelter,” said Mayor John Valdivia. “It will immediately enable us to expand the animals’ medical programs and increase the city’s ability to provide better animal care.”
The grant application includes funding for the following projects and amounts to be distributed over a three-year period:
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Replacement Shelter$500,000
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New Animal Control Vehicles$225,000
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Current Facility Improvements$145,000
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Medical Fund for Injured Owned Animals$150,000
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Spay and Neuter for Animals in the Community$300,000
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Medical Treatment for Impounded Animals$120,000
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Microchipping for Animals in the Community$60,000
The new shelter will be a resource for the citizens on San Bernardino where they can find their lost pet, come and adopt a new family member or receive support or veterinary care to help them keep their current pet.
Individuals or organizations interested in contributing to the fund can donate via check made payable to the City of San Bernardino Animal Services and mailed to the shelter’s current address at 333 Chandler Place, San Bernardino, CA 92401. Beginning May 1st, 2021, donations can be made online through the City of San Bernardino’s Animal Services page at www.sbcity.org.
To learn more about the shelter improvement efforts and fund, visit http://www.sbcity.org/cityhall/animctrl/.
The City of San Bernardino’s Department of Animal Services serves residents in all 62.45 square miles of the city. The department received and cared for over 4,800 animals in 2020. For more information about the department visit us at www.sbcity.org or contact us at (909) 384-7272.
About San Manuel Band of Mission Indians
The San Manuel Band of Serrano Mission Indians is a federally recognized American Indian tribe located near the city of Highland, Calif. The Serrano Indians are the indigenous people of the San Bernardino highlands, passes, valleys and mountains who share a common language and culture. The San Manuel reservation was established in 1891 and recognized as a sovereign nation with the right of self-government. As an indigenous community the origins and history of the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians stem from our relationship with the land and to all who share it. For more information, visit https://www.sanmanuel-nsn.gov.