Animal Control Officer Savanna Gorton poses with ‘Boss,’ who was abandoned at the shelter in April. Boss is available for adoption.

GRIDLEY, CA (MPG) – Gridley’s new Animal Control Officer, Savanna Gorton, was introduced at the regular city council meeting on July 21. Gorton’s first day on the job was June 16.

Gorton moved to Gridley when she was a fifth grader and graduated from Gridley High School.

Having worked as a certified veterinary assistant for seven years, Gorton brings her experience and a love of animals to the post. This is Gorton’s first animal control job.  

Currently, there are seven dogs and seven cats at the Gridley shelter. About four or five arrivals come every week, Gorton said. The shelter is a safe haven until pets are claimed.

“Usually, the turn-around is pretty quick. Owners realize their pets are gone and come find them,” said Gorton.

An impoundment fee of $133 is required for reclaiming a pet, as well as proof of ownership. The fee increases for second and third offences. If the dog or cat is unaltered, there is an additional charge of $35. That fee also goes up if the animal is caught roaming again. Any unlicensed dogs must be licensed before discharge.   

The good news is that the Gridley shelter is a ‘low-kill’ facility, meaning that unless the animals are too aggressive or extremely sick, they are not euthanized. Adoptable animals are kept until homes are found for them.

Here is the warning sign posted outside of the Gridley Animal Shelter. Abandoning an animal is a criminal offence.

One such animal is ‘Boss,’ a friendly three-year-old male pit bull cross that was abandoned at the shelter last April. Despite the posted warning on the fence outside of the shelter, Boss was found tied to the outdoor dog-run fence.  Even with electronic surveillance, the dog’s former owner could not be identified.

Abandoning an animal in Butte County is against the law and carries criminal penalties of up to a $1,000 fine, and as much as six months in jail, as stated in Butte County Code of Ordinances.

However, Boss’ former owner’s loss will be the new owner’s gain. Boss was immediately very friendly when the Gridley Herald visited the shelter.

Gorton indicated that “Boss has a calm demeanor, but also really loves toys. Other times, he just wants to lie on the couch.”

Due to overcrowding, surrenders to the shelter are discouraged, and Gorton recommends that unwanted pets be taken to local rescues.

Adoptions are sorely needed, especially for cats, Gorton said. The fees depend on whether the animal is already spayed or neutered.  Altered cats can be taken home for $33, and dogs (including Boss) are available for $40. For an unaltered animal, there is an additional deposit of $50 for dogs and $40 for cats.  These funds are held by the shelter and returned once the animal is spayed or neutered, Gorton explained.

There were three adoptions in July. However, some months there aren’t any, according to Gorton.

Those interested in adopting a pet can call Gridley Animal Control at 530-846-4825, or Officer Gorton at 530-789-1724.