Starting Wednesday, San Diego County will hold a series of three workshops to get input from unincorporated residents about the possibility of outsourcing the Animal Services Department.

The county is considering outsourcing the department, which would mean paying an outside organization to do animal control services in unincorporated county and run the three county animal shelters. Already, the county has decided not to renew its animal control contracts with six cities—San Diego, Carlsbad, Del Mar, Encinitas, Santee and Solana Beach—that expire next June.

The San Diego Humane Society is in talks with the county about taking over animal services.

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Starting Wednesday, San Diego County will hold a series of three workshops to get input from unincorporated residents about the possibility of outsourcing the Animal Services Department.

RELATED: San Diego County Mulls Outsourcing Animal Services Amidst ‘Getting To Zero’ Policy Criticism

Animal services officials declined an interview request. A county news release said, "The county is considering outsourcing the work done by the Department of Animal Services to another entity by next July but wants to get residents’ feedback first on what services they expect and if they have any suggestions."

The county is paying outside consultant Centre for Organizational Effectiveness $10,000 to conduct the three meetings, county spokesman Michael Workman said.

Meeting dates and locations are:

—Wednesday, July 19, 6 – 7:30 p.m.

Ramona Library, 1275 Main St., Ramona

—Thursday, July 27, 6 – 7:30 p.m.

Fallbrook Library, 124 S. Mission Rd., Fallbrook

—Thursday, Aug. 17, 6 – 7:30 p.m.

Bonita Library, 4375 Bonita Rd., Bonita

The county news release says the "San Diego Humane Society is qualified to provide animal services in the unincorporated areas but negotiations won’t begin until after the three community meetings."

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Claire Trageser

Investigative Reporter

As a member of the KPBS investigative team, my job is to hold the powerful in San Diego County accountable. I've done in-depth investigations on political campaigns, police officer misconduct and neighborhood quality of life issues.

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