It will be paid for by county and private funds and money from San Diego. The cities say they have no choice but to renew their contracts. Creating their own departments is viewed as impractical. Other providers aren't equipped to take more cities. The rise is primarily because the county has been underfunding its shelter operations and has been catching up in the past three years, said Vicki Owens, the department's budget director.
Cities sign five-year deals, revised annually.
Each city's cost is determined by a formula that factors in population growth and calls for service. If a city is not satisfied, it can give one year's notice and cancel. The county's contracts promise no minimum level of sheltering and field operations. The county shelter in Escondido was housed within the privately run Escondido Humane Society, offering a convenient place for inland North County residents to pick up their animals. Before this arrangement, animals impounded in inland North County were taken to the Carlsbad shelter.