Agenda - 01-28-2010 - 1 - Laserfiche WebLink

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10 1428 animals, which in turn amounted to an average 33 percent (1428 of 4271) of total intake. In Orange County, definite and distinctive seasonal variations in animal intake are associated with this kind of uncontrolled reproduction. As Appendix III and IV show, the number of animals admitted to the County's shelter are highest from May through October, the months in which litters are born and become juvenile animals in need of a home. Operating resources are most taxed in the summer months by a steady influx of animals that on any given day may number as many as 17.5 These very sizable numbers are also the reason why it is believed that proactive programs organized around the goal of targeted spay and neuter are good fiscal policy for local governments. Controlling the costs of animal care and control depends upon the effective management of the companion animal population, and specifically, in the reduction of the number of surplus or unwanted animal companions. These costs can only be expected to increase given the growth of Orange County and the Triangle in the absence of an aggressive and proactive approach to pet overpopulation. It deserves to be said, finally, that this takes seriously the view that communities are themselves responsible for preventing pet overpopulation. Closely aligned to this view is the belief that adoptions and other forms of animal placement can not themselves resolve the problem of pet overpopulation that ultimately manifests itself in the euthanasia of adoptable animals at our own shelter and others. Instead, minimizing and ultimately eliminating the use of euthanasia as a means of population control requires that we reduce the rate of pet reproduction via various programs of targeted spaying and neutering before such unwanted litters exist. IV. The Plan The strategic plan is based upon several components that are described in greater detail in this- section. First is the continuation of and increase in current placements through adoptions, partnerships with placement partners and recoveries by owners or custodians. In addition, the plan aims to perform targeted spay and neuter, designed to assist pet owners who would not have their pets altered in the absence of program assistance. The third component of the plan consists of legislative changes that will need to be in place in order for some spay/neuter partnerships and initiatives to form. The staging of specific components of this strategic plan is captured by the following timetable. As we discuss further in a later section, the effective management of pet s The timing of efforts to intervene via targeted spaying and neutering becomes important in the light of this pronounced pattern. It may well be that concentrated as well as aggressive outreach and early intervention should be organized prior to the prime period of reproduction to the greatest extent possible. An illustrative program is "Beat the Heat," which promotes the sterilization of cats prior to the initial estrus of female cats in the late winter and early spring. 8