In 2019–2020, the University of Denver’s Institute for Human-Animal Connection conducted a comprehensive Social-Environmental-Economic Impact (SEEI) Study on SPARC’s role in the community. The findings confirm what we’ve long believed—SPARC is not just a shelter; it is an essential community resource that improves quality of life for Santa Paula residents and their pets.

🔹Key Findings:
✔ 84% of Santa Paula residents say a rescue and adoption center is important to the city’s quality of life.
✔ 77% support public funding for a new, state-of-the-art shelter.
✔ 85% of community members who used SPARC services rated them as “Excellent” or “Very Good.”
✔ SPARC maintains a 4.8-star rating on Facebook with a 96% recommendation rate based on 1,215 reviews—one of the highest-rated shelters in the region.
✔ Public feedback has ranked SPARC’s quality of care higher than or equal to comparable shelters in nearly every service category.

🔹 Why This Matters
The SEEI study reinforces that SPARC is a vital part of Santa Paula—not just for animals, but for the entire community. We are dedicated to ensuring No Kill remains the future of Santa Paula and will continue to provide lifesaving services that make a real difference.

At SPARC, our mission has always been rooted in compassion, transparency, and a deep commitment to the animals and community we serve. In light of recent developments with the City of Santa Paula, we’ve released an official statement to clarify the facts, address community concerns, and share our vision for the future.

We invite you to read the full statement to understand SPARC’s ongoing dedication to animal welfare, our community impact, and the next steps we’re taking as we enter this new chapter.