Animal Care and Placement Services

Board of Cowlitz County Commissioners
Steve Rader, District 1
Commissioners Steven L. Ferrell, District 2
Richard R. Dahl, District 3
REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS (RFQ)
FOR ANIMAL CARE AND PLACEMENT SERVICES
Deadline: Thursday, July 30, 2026 at 4:00 PM Local Time
Cowlitz County is soliciting Statements of Qualifications (SOQs) from non-profit organizations to
pre-qualify partners capable of receiving animals released from the custody of the Cowlitz County
Sheriff's Office and assuming responsibility for their housing, care, and disposition, including
efforts to return to owner, foster placement, adoption, or other appropriate outcomes.
Cowlitz County will hold an optional open house for interested organizations on July 14, 2026, at
4:00 PM local time. The open house will provide an opportunity for prospective respondents to
learn more about the County's animal care and placement needs and ask questions regarding this
RFQ.
The open house will be held both in person and virtually via Zoom.
In-Person Location:
Cowlitz County Public Works Training Room
1600 13th Avenue South
Kelso, WA 98626
Zoom Information:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81102412693
Passcode: 250741
Attendance is voluntary and is not a prerequisite for submitting a Statement of Qualifications.
Information shared during the open house that materially affects this RFQ will be provided to all
prospective respondents.
Background
Cowlitz County is statutorily obligated under Washington State law to provide for the care, control,
and disposition of certain animals. This includes, but is not limited to, animals that are stray,
abandoned, seized, or otherwise impounded pursuant to Title 16 RCW. For purposes of this RFQ,
animals may include, but are not limited to, domestic companion animals, livestock, and other
animals lawfully subject to impoundment under applicable state law.

The Cowlitz County Sheriff's Office is responsible for the intake and initial custody of such
animals, including compliance with all applicable holding periods and notification requirements.
Following the expiration of legally required hold periods, certain animals may become eligible for
release from County custody. Cowlitz County seeks to establish partnerships with qualified non-
profit organizations to receive these animals and provide for their ongoing care and placement.
This RFQ is to identify and pre-qualify eligible non-profit organizations only. Cost or pricing
proposals are not requested and should not be submitted in response to this RFQ. Cowlitz County
anticipates compensating the selected non-profit organization(s) through a one-time, per-animal
fee upon transfer from County custody. Final compensation terms will be negotiated with the
selected organization(s) and incorporated into any resulting agreement.
Scope of Services
The following scope outlines the minimum expectations for organizations selected through this
RFQ. The selected organization(s) must provide, at a minimum, the following services:
1. Animal Intake
a. Coordinate transfer of animals from County custody
b. Accept animals in varying conditions, including those requiring medical or
behavioral support or specialized care, subject to the terms of the County's Animal
Release Waiver, attached as Exhibit 1.
2. Housing and Daily Care
a. Provide safe, sanitary, and humane housing
b. Ensure proper feeding, cleaning, enrichment, and exercise
c. Maintain appropriate population management practices to avoid overcrowding
3. Veterinary Care
a. Arrange for necessary medical treatment, including emergency care when required
b. Maintain vaccination and disease control protocols consistent with species-specific
standards of care
c. Ensure all adoptable animals are:
i. Spayed/neutered prior to placement, unless medically inadvisable or not
appropriate for the species
ii. Vaccinated in accordance with species-appropriate veterinary protocols and
current standards of care, including rabies vaccination where required by
law and medically appropriate as well as core vaccinations appropriate to
the species
iii. Treated with a broad spectrum dewormer appropriate to the species
iv. Treated for fleas and other external parasites
v. Provided permanent identification appropriate to the species, which may
include microchipping for dogs and cats, or other accepted identification
methods as determined by a licensed veterinarian
4. Foster Coordination
a. Recruit, screen, and train foster caregivers
b. Monitor foster placements and animal welfare
c. Maintain accurate foster records
5. Adoption Services
a. Market animals for adoption

b. Screen potential adopters and facilitate placement
c. Execute adoption agreements in accordance with organizational policies
d. Maintain accurate adoption records
6. Reporting and Records Management
a. Maintain complete and auditable records of animal intakes, outcomes, and
operations. For each animal, the record shall include:
i. Animal type
ii. Start and end date of housing
iii. Veterinary care records
iv. Contact information for foster, adopter, or rescue
b. Provide operational and statistical reports to the County upon request, including:
i. Number of intakes
ii. Number of adoptions, transfers, or foster placements
iii. Expenses incurred for veterinary care
c. All records maintained under this Section shall be retained for a minimum period
of six (6) years, in accordance with applicable legal and public records
requirements.
7. Compliance and Coordination
a. Comply with all applicable local, state, and federal laws
b. Coordinate with County staff, animal control officers, and law enforcement
Minimum Qualifications
To be considered responsive to this RFQ, organizations must clearly demonstrate that they meet
all qualifications outlined below. Failure to meet any qualification may result in the response being
deemed non-responsive.
1. Must be registered as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in good standing, authorized to operate in
Washington State, and eligible to receive public funds.
2. Minimum of two years' experience operating an animal rescue, shelter, foster-based
organization, or similar animal welfare program, with a proven track record of successful
animal placement.
3. Located within approximately a 30-minute travel radius of Cowlitz County, or otherwise
demonstrate the ability to provide timely animal intake, transfer, and placement services.
4. Demonstrated ability to provide ongoing care for multiple animals, including access to
appropriate housing (facility, foster network, or both), and capability to manage animals
requiring separation or specialized handling. Established intake, care, and adoption
procedures must already be in place.
5. Established relationships with licensed veterinarians and the ability to coordinate routine
and emergency medical care, including spay/neuter and vaccinations.
6. Ability to maintain accurate records and documentation for animal intake, care, and
disposition, including adoption and foster agreements. Must comply with all applicable
laws and provide reports to the County upon request.
7. Ability to obtain and maintain general liability insurance appropriate to the services
contemplated under this RFQ and to name Cowlitz County as an additional insured.
8. Must have no material history of violations related to animal welfare or regulatory
compliance.

In addition, organizations submitting their Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) must not be listed
with the Washington State Department of Licensing as debarred, suspended, or otherwise
ineligible to contract with Cowlitz County and must not be included on the General Services
Administration's List of Parties Excluded from Federal Procurement and Non-procurement
Programs or the Department of Housing and Urban Development's Limited Denial of Participation
list.
Questions and Clarifications
All questions regarding this RFQ must be submitted via email to the RFQ Coordinator identified
below no later than 4:00 PM local time on July 16, 2026. Responses will be provided in writing
and may be issued as clarifications or addenda and distributed to all known respondents as
appropriate. Oral or informal responses are not binding. Cowlitz County reserves the right to
determine the timing and method of responses to ensure consistency in the procurement process.
RFQ Coordinator:
Ashley Claussen
Purchasing Services
ClaussenA@cowlitzwa.gov
360-577-3030 ext. 6856
Procurement Schedule
The County anticipates the following schedule for this solicitation. The County reserves the
right to modify these dates at its sole discretion.
Milestone Date
Optional Open House July 14, 2026, 4:00 PM
Deadline for Questions July 16, 2026, 4:00 PM
Final Addendum Issued July 21, 2026, 4:00 PM
SOQ Submission Deadline July 30, 2026, 4:00 PM
SOQ Format, Style and Length
SOQs must be concise and focused on the information requested. Submittals must not exceed 20
pages, except for references and proof of nonprofit status or other required eligibility
documentation identified in this RFQ. All submittals must be organized and labeled in accordance
with the outline below.
1. Cover Letter
Provide a brief introduction to the organization and its interest in this opportunity. Include
primary contact information and acknowledgment of the County's proposed compensation
structure.

2. Experience and Qualifications
Describe the organization's background, mission, and relevant experience. Include:
a. Proof of 501(c)(3) status
b. Years of operation and type of services provided
c. Experience with animal intake, care, and placement
d. Summary of similar partnerships or contracts
e. Demonstration of how the organization meets the minimum qualifications
3. Operational Capacity
Describe the organization's current capacity and how it will fulfill the Scope of Services.
Include:
a. Description of facilities and/or foster network
b. Types of animals accepted and any limitations
c. Capacity for intake and population management practices
d. Procedures for housing, daily care, and enrichment
e. Access to and coordination of veterinary services
f. Approach to owner reunification, foster coordination, and adoption services
g. Recordkeeping systems and reporting capabilities
h. Geographic service area and ability to coordinate timely animal transfers
4. Key Personnel
Identify key staff and/or volunteers responsible for program oversight and service delivery.
Include relevant experience, roles, and organizational structure.
5. References
Provide a minimum of three (3) references from organizations or partners familiar with
your animal care and placement services. References may include government agencies,
animal shelters, rescue organizations, foster networks, veterinary partners, or other relevant
collaborators. Include contact name, organization, relationship, and current contact
information.
Evaluation and Selection
No scoring or ranking system will be used. Responses will either be deemed responsive (meeting
minimum qualifications) or non-responsive (failing to meet one or more minimum qualifications).
The County will determine which respondents are qualified to move forward for potential
agreement based on the review of minimum qualifications. The County reserves the right to
identify any, all, or none of the respondents as qualified and may enter into agreements with
multiple organizations to meet operational needs. Selection as a qualified respondent does not
guarantee execution of an agreement or any minimum volume of animal transfers. The County

makes no guarantee regarding the number of animals that may be transferred under any resulting
agreement.
Selected respondents will be expected to enter into a contract which is substantially the same as
the County's Personal Services Agreement and in accordance with the general terms and
conditions therein, attached as Exhibit 2. Insurance requirements and other applicable terms and
conditions are included in the standard agreement. Respondents shall not submit their own
standard contract terms and conditions as part of their response. Any proposed exceptions to the
County's standard agreement must be clearly identified and submitted as part of the respondent's
RFQ submission. The County will review any requested exceptions at its sole discretion and may
accept or reject such exceptions as part of the negotiation and selection process. The County
reserves the right to determine final contract terms with any selected respondent(s).
Revisions
In the event it becomes necessary to revise any part of this RFQ, addenda will be provided via
email to all individuals who have made the County aware of their interest. Revisions, updates, and
clarifications of the RFQ will also be posted on the County's webpage at www.co.cowlitz.wa.us.
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Information
Cowlitz County in accordance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Americans with
Disabilities Act (ADA), commits to nondiscrimination based on disability in all programs and
activities. This material can be made available in an alternate format by emailing Cowlitz County
Department of Purchasing Services at cowlitz.purchasing@cowlitzwa.gov or by calling 360-577-
3030.
Equal Employment Opportunity
Cowlitz County in accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, 78 Stat. 252, 42
U.S.C. 2000d to 2000d-4 and Title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, Department of Transportation,
subtitle A, Office of the Secretary, Part 21, nondiscrimination in federally assisted programs of the
Department of Transportation issued pursuant to such Act, hereby notifies all bidders that it will
affirmatively ensure that in any contract entered into pursuant to this advertisement, disadvantaged
business enterprises as defined at 49 CFR Part 26 will be afforded full opportunity to submit bids
in response to this invitation and will not be discriminated against on the grounds of race, color,
national origin or sex in consideration for an award.
Reservations
Cowlitz County reserves the right to reject any and all SOQs and to waive minor irregularities or
informalities in the submittal and evaluation process. This solicitation for Animal Care and
Placement Services does not obligate the County to award a contract or to pay any costs incurred
by respondents in the preparation or submission of an SOQ, or in participation in any phase of the
selection or negotiation process. Further, this RFQ does not obligate the County to accept or
contract for any expressed or implied services. The County also reserves the right, at its sole
discretion, to consider and approve service providers outside the proposed geographic area when

necessary to meet specific animal care needs, including but not limited to specialized breeds,
medical conditions, or capacity limitations.
Proposer Representations and Certifications
Submission of an SOQ shall constitute a representation and certification by the Proposer that the
Proposer has carefully reviewed and fully understands all information provided by the County as
the basis for this solicitation; possesses the capability to successfully perform and fulfill the
responsibilities and obligations described herein; and that all information contained in the SOQ is
true, accurate, and complete to the best of the Proposer's knowledge. The Proposer further certifies
that it has not engaged in collusion, conspiracy, or any agreement, directly or indirectly, with any
person, firm, corporation, or other Proposer regarding the terms, conditions, or pricing of this
submission. The Proposer acknowledges that the County reserves the right to make any inquiries
it deems appropriate to verify or supplement information provided and, by submitting an SOQ,
authorizes the County to conduct such inquiries and agrees to provide any requested
documentation in a timely manner.
Submittal
One (1) electronic copy in PDF form is due no later than 4:00 PM on Thursday, July 30, 2026
to Ashley Claussen at ClaussenA@cowlitzwa.gov. The Subject Line shall read "Animal Care and
Placement Services RFQ #2026-0021-01." Late submittals will not be considered for contract
award.

EXHIBIT 1
ANIMAL RELEASE WAIVER

Animal Cowlitz County Animal Control
312 SW 1st Ave., Rm 124
Kelso, WA 98626
Release
(360) 577-3092, ext. 7234
CASE & OFFICER INFORMATION
Case #: Date of Intake:
ACO Officer Name: Agency:
ANIMAL DESCRIPTION
E
Species: Dog Cat Other: ___________ Sex: Male Female Unknown
Breed: Color / Markings: Estimated Age:
L
Microchip #: License / Tag #: Current Vaccinations:
Additional Notes:
P
Name / Address of Possible Owner (if known):
M
RELEASED TO
Released To (Full Name):
Address: City / State / Zip:
A
Phone Number: Alternate Phone: Email:
Release Type: Owner Reclaim Adoption Transfer to Agency Rescue Org Other: ___________
S
Organization Name (if applicable):
RELEASE OF LIABILITY
By signing below, I, the undersigned, acknowledge and agree to the following:
1. I accept full responsibility for the care, welfare, and behavior of the above-described animal from the time of release.
2. I release Cowlitz County Animal Control, its officers, employees, agents, and Cowlitz County from any and all liability, claims, damages, or
injuries arising from or related to this animal following its release.
3. I acknowledge that Cowlitz County Animal Control makes no warranties or representations regarding the health, temperament, or behavior
of this animal.
4. I understand that it is my responsibility to comply with all applicable local, state, and federal laws regarding the ownership and care of this
animal.
5. I certify that all information provided on this form is true and accurate to the best of my knowledge.
Recipient Signature: Date:
Printed Name: ACO Officer Badge #:
ACO Officer Signature: Date:
This form must be completed in full. Retain original on file. Provide copy to recipient.

EXHIBIT 2
PERSONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT