Independent Research. Public Data. Transparent Methods.
Madtown Data Project is an independent research initiative dedicated to collecting, analyzing, and publishing information from public records, official statistics, and other verifiable sources. Our goal is to make complex public information more accessible, understandable, and useful for residents, policymakers and community leaders throughout California’s Central Valley.
Research Collections
Public Safety
Juvenile Justice
Animal Services
Public Finance
Recent reports
Madera County Animal Services: Trend Divergence in Calls For Service and Total Intakes (2018-2025)
Published: June 27, 2026 (Updated June 28, 2026)
Overview: Calls for Service increased from 2,955 in 2018 to 4,127 in 2025, a 39.7% increase, while total shelter intakes declined from 5,812 to 2,889 animals, a 50.3% decrease. Although both measures declined during the COVID-19 pandemic, Calls for Service recovered to exceed pre-pandemic levels, while shelter intakes remained substantially below baseline levels. This report documents a significant divergence between increasing public demand for Animal Services and declining shelter intake. It does not identify the causes of these trends, but it does provide an evidence-based assessment of operational changes using publicly available records.
Source Materials: Madera County Animal Services Aggregate Data (2017-2025) Public Records Act Request #60023
Madera County Animal Shelter: Intake Trends and Jurisdictional Representation (2018-2025)
Published: June 27, 2026 (Updated June 28, 2026)
Overview: Between 2018 and 2025, total animal shelter intakes declined by 50.3%, while City of Madera stray animal intakes increased by 17.5%. As a result, City animals represented a substantially larger proportion of total shelter intakes than they did eight years earlier. This report examines whether that proportional increase reflects a significant increase in City-related shelter utilization or is primarily attributable to declining intakes from other jurisdictions. The report presents historical intake data and related operational metrics without making policy recommendations.
Source Materials: Madera County Animal Services Aggregate Data (2017-2025) Public Records Act Request #60023; City of Madera Police Department Annual Reports; Madera County Budget Reports
Madera County Animal Services: Shelter Intake, Outcome, and Length of Stay Trends (2018-2025)
Published: June 26, 2026
Overview: This report examines long-term trends in animal shelter operations at the Madera County Animal Shelter using annual aggregate data from 2018 through 2025 obtained through the California Public Records Act. The analysis evaluates changes in shelter intake, animal outcomes, and average length of stay to establish an objective historical record of shelter operations over the eight-year reporting period.
Source Materials: Madera County Animal Services Aggregate Data (2017-2025) Public Records Act Request #60023 (see link below)
City of Madera: Violent Crime Trends (2021 – 2025)
Published: [Report coming soon.]
Overview:
Source Materials: FBI’s Crime Data Explorer (CDE), State/Agency Data, California, Madera Police Department, Violent Offenses (2021-2025) (See link below)
Our Principles
Independent
We are not affiliated with any government agency, political party, or advocacy organization.
Transparent
Whenever possible, we provide source documents, datasets, and methodology.
Evidence-based
Our findings are grounded in publicly available information and verifiable sources.
Accessible
Reports and data are presented in formats that can be understood by the general public.
Become a Contributor
Madtown Data Project will publish contributor research and reports upon request and at our sole discretion. Madtown Data Project does not require contributors to share a particular viewpoint. We require contributors to meet a particular standard of evidence.