Animal Control & Animal Shelter / Who Does What

General Information

The public often assumes that “animal control” and “animal services” are the same. Because of this assumption, who is responsible for what can be a source of immense confusion and frustration.

In Tehama County a Code of Ordinances, specifically Title 7, is the foundation that regulates, controls, and protects the animals existing within the unincorporated area of the county. Tehama County codes can be found at the Municipal Code Corporation’s website

If anyone is interested in state laws regarding animals, California codes can be read at the CA Legislative Food and Agricultural site .

The Tehama County Board of Supervisors is the legislative and executive body of Tehama County, which has the overall responsibility for the function of county government. They adopt all ordinances and resolutions governing the county, and are responsible for seeing that they are properly enforced. They are also the body that establishes the fees and charges for services performed and licenses issued within the county. Their offices are located at 727 Oak Street, Red Bluff (530- 527-4655) and they are:

District 1, Bill Moule (Ext. 3015)

District 2, Candy Carlson (Ext. 3014)

District 3, Pati Nolan (Ext. 3017)

District 4, Matt Hansen (Ext. 3018)

District 5, John Leach (Ext. 3016)

Operating under the supervision of the Board are the directors of the divisions of animal regulation and animal services.

The sheriff, Dave Kain, is the director of the Tehama County Division of Animal Regulation , and whose office is at 22840 Antelope Boulevard, Red Bluff (530- 529-7900 ext. 1). The division of animal regulation is responsible for enforcing the laws regulating, controlling, and protecting the animals within the unincorporated area of the county, and represents the health officer in performing rabies control activities within the county.

Animal regulation officers, also known as animal control officers (ACO), are appointed and directed by the Sheriff for the unincorporated area of the county. The ACO’s duty is to enforce state and county laws and regulations pertaining to the licensing, impounding and disposal of animals. The most familiar of the duties is locating, capturing, impounding, and transporting dangerous, unwanted, lost, diseased, or injured animals. In addition, they investigate complaints regarding animal code violations.

For the city limits of Red Bluff Animal Control is handled by the Red Bluff Police Department (530-527-3131).

In the city limits of Corning Animal Control is handled by the Corning Police Department (530-824-7000)

Doni Rulofson, Agricultural Commissioner and Thomas Moss, Assistant Agricultural Commissioner , are the directors for the division of animal services and whose office is at 1834 Walnut Street, Red Bluff, (530-527-4504). The Tehama County Department of Agriculture has, among other responsibilities, responsibility for maintaining the county animal shelter, known as the Tehama County Animal Care Center (TCACC), where animals impounded by any officer or employee of the county, or voluntarily surrendered by their owners, are placed for humane care and keeping. In addition, the division is also responsible for the issuance of all dog and kennel licenses within the county and for the supervision of rabies control activities within the county.

The Tehama County Animal Care Center ’s Manager, Christine McClintock (530-527-3439), is under the direction of the Agricultural Commissioner. Among the manager’s duties are planning, organizing, directing and supervising personnel and volunteers, and actively participating in the daily operations and activities of the Animal Care Center. She is the “face” of the Center. Not only does she represent the Center within the community, but also acts as a liaison for rescue organizations, veterinary clinics, and other public agencies, while insuring that all animals under the Center’s care are treated with the compassion and dignity they deserve.

The Tehama County Animal Care Center’s mission is to practice and promote responsible, compassionate care of all animals, both in their care and in the community it serves. It is considered a “limited admission” shelter, accepting all stray animals found within its jurisdiction. Animal owner surrenders are handled on a case-by-case basis, and only with prior manager approval. The Center is located at 1830 Walnut St., Red Bluff (530-527-3439) and any questions with regard to lost animals, adoptions, licensing, volunteering, etc. can be directed there.