ANIMAL SHELTER MAY GO CLOSING OF CASTAIC FACILITY PROPOSED IN COUNTY BUDGET.

Byline: Susan Abram Staff Writer

SANTA CLARITA - Councilwoman Laurene Weste will testify today before the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, urging members to keep the Castaic animal shelter open despite a recommendation to shut it down to help balance the county budget.

The county Animal Care and Control Department recommended the cuts, suggesting that the Santa Clarita Valley be served by the shelter in Lancaster.

Last month, county supervisors were presented with a proposed $17 billion budget calling for $269 million in reductions. Recommended cuts include closing the Castaic shelter, for a savings of $663,000, and the city of Carson's shelter, for a $1 million savings.

The shelters were selected because of their size and closeness to other shelters that could serve populated areas, said Kaye Michelson, a county animal-control spokeswoman.

The Castaic shelter - serving the entire Santa Clarita Valley with its human population of almost 200,000 and many pets - holds about 150 animals, while the Lancaster shelter can hold up to 300 animals.

``Castaic could not serve Lancaster as well as Lancaster could serve Castaic,'' Michelson said. ``The Lancaster shelter is larger and can house more animals. The same situation exists in Carson. The Downey shelter is larger and could easily handle the animals from the Carson shelter.''

The budget cuts also could eliminate a team that goes out to capture menacing animals loose in neighborhoods.

Weste said the situation could be dire if the Castaic facility is closed.

``That is a critical service for our community and our entire valley,'' she said. ``We have a 94 percent adoption rate. But if they close, euthanasia rates would be higher.''

Santa Clarita officials also remain concerned about proposed cuts to the county library system. A decrease of $8.8 million could mean a reduction in service hours, city officials said. Santa Clarita is served by three branch libraries.

``Valencia library is the busiest in the county,'' Weste said. ``We are also one of the few cities that has passed a special library tax.''

The special library tax, passed by voters almost 10 years ago, saved the facilities in Santa Clarita from similar proposed cutbacks. ``It's too early to tell,'' said county Librarian Margaret Todd. ``What we do know is that special tax money stays in the community. What I will be recommending to the Board of Supervisors is we ensure that the property tax contributed by the community will allow that community to receive that level of basic services.''

Despite the gloom surrounding the animal shelter and the libraries, Santa Clarita officials found some cause for cheer in the county's proposed budget, which would keep the Placerita Canyon Nature Center open and some recreational activities available at Castaic Lake.

Susan Abram [phone]

susan.abram(at)dailynews.com

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Photo:

(color) A cat awaits adoption at the Castaic animal shelter, which may be closed in county government budget-cutting.

David Crane/Staff Photographer