The City of Manteca is working to reduce the chances of another dog meeting the same fate as Hershey.

By all accounts, Hershey was a lovable year-old German Shepherd mix that had been at the Manteca Animal Shelter. 

Hershey, after three months, developed kennel stress — a term used for when dogs encounter a state of mental or emotional strain and tension during a kennel stay. In Hershey’s case, it manifested by him growling and developing other aggressive behavior.

When the animal shelter become full over the holidays, the staff made the tough decision to euthanize Hershey as kennel stress had made him unadoptable.

It was the first euthanatized dog  at the shelter since October.

On Tuesday, Interim Manteca Police Chief Steve Schluer outlined for the City Council steps his department is taking to try to avoid a repeat of Hershey’s fate as well as address other issues at the animal shelter at Wetmore Street and South Main Street.
 *Adopting a foster program where volunteers can take dogs for a short period of time. It will help reduce kennel stress as well as avoid having to make a decision to euthanize dogs when the shelter is full.

*There would also be a short term foster care program of one or two days to allow dogs to decompress.

 *Implementing a program were volunteers can take dogs on short walks.

*Installing artificial turf in a side yard that is made of material that prevents it from becoming hot and damaging paws.

*Awarding a contract to replace the natural turf in the shelter’s back yard.

*Establishing a low-cost spay and neuter program through a Tracy veterinarian who will provide the service at a cost a third of what Manteca veterinarians charge. The city has secured a grant to launch the effort.

*Increasing the public’s awareness of the shelter’s free microchipping program. It allows the shelter staff to quickly determine who stray dogs belong to when they are found  wandering on the streets.

*Establishing a non-profit Friends of the Manteca Animal Shelter to assist with supplementing limited city to upgrade services as well as help secure more volunteers.

*Appointing Sgt. Ian Osborn to oversee the animal shelter working with animal services lead worker Whitney Monroe.

For whatever reason in recent years, the department ended having a sergeant staying on top of the animal shelter’s needs.

The last time there was a sergeant in charge was  when Schluer filled that position before his appointment as a lieutenant.

“Putting down an animal is the last thing we want to do,” Schluer said.,

To do that effectively, Schluer said he will ask in the upcoming city budget for a rescue coordinator.

The person would work with various rescue groups to place dogs when the shelter is nearing capacity so they do not have to be euthanized.

Schluer praised shelter staff and volunteers that have dedicated themselves to making sure dogs and other animals such as cats get the best care possible and have the opportunity to be adopted.

“We want to work with rescue groups and the public through the foster care program to make that happen,” Schluer said.

The Better World Rescue group and other volunteers have been working with the shelter — as well as advocating at City Council meetings — to upgrade animal services since August.

That has led to the acquisition of Kuranda beds through efforts of donors.

The beds, that can’t be torn apart by dogs, allow animal to sleep on something other than the concrete floor of the kennels.

To contact Dennis Wyatt, email dwyatt@mantecabuilletin.com