Mission

The Sunnyvale Animal Control Unit was created in 1994 in order to protect public safety, ensure animal welfare and promote responsible pet ownership.  These objectives are met through education and professional enforcement of the statutes of the City of Sunnyvale and the State of California.

Services

Sunnyvale Animal Control Officers provide a wide range of services which include, responding to calls for service such as:  stray or nuisance animals, animal bites, aggressive or vicious animals, dead animals, sick or injured animals and animal rescues. Additionally, Animal Control Officers investigate reports of animal cruelty and neglect and conduct criminal investigations which may be submitted for prosecution.

The Animal Control staff provides education to schools and other groups, inspects and permits animal establishments and maintains a state mandated rabies control program which includes animal bite investigations, animal quarantines and the animal licensing program.

Staffing

Sunnyvale Animal Control is a specialized unit consisting of two Community Services Officers assigned to Animal Control, one part-time Staff Office Assistant and two V.I.P volunteers.

Animal Control Officers are not peace officers, but can exercise powers of arrest and warrant service during the course and within the scope of their employment.  The Animal Control Unit is part of the DPS Special Operations Division and is managed by a Public Safety Captain.

Statistics

During fiscal year 2008/2009, Animal Control responded to over 1,600 field service calls, transported over 1,400 animals to local shelters, licensed over 2,600 dogs and investigated over 70 animal bites and 13 vicious animal cases.

Sheltering

The City of Sunnyvale contracts with the Humane Society Silicon Valley for its animal sheltering services.