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6 <br />I. Introduction <br />The issue of pet overpopulation is a problem that many communities face, Orange <br />County being no exception. Pet overpopulation can simply be defined as having more <br />homeless animals than adoptable homes in any given community, leading to the use of <br />euthanasia as a means of population control for animals that are healthy, stable and <br />otherwise adoptable. It is an issue that merits addressing on various levels, from the <br />efficient use of government funds to social and humane interests of a community. <br />Animal Services staff and the Animal Services Advisory Board (ASAB) recognize that <br />the problem of pet overpopulation is a community problem and must be addressed on a <br />fundamental level by targeting and preventing the root cause, namely the birth of <br />unwanted litters of puppies and kittens. Thus, we have developed the following <br />strategic plan to address the issue of pet overpopulation in our community. <br />Several factors make Orange County uniquely situated to launch an assertive program <br />to address pet overpopulation and further reduce the euthanasia rate of unwanted <br />and/or homeless pets. These factors include: <br />• The new Animal Services Center (ASC) on Eubanks Road opened in June of 2009. <br />This state-of-the-art facility has been designed to be auser-friendly public space, with a <br />retail-like front end. It is expected that both the number of animals arriving at the ASC <br />and the number of animals leaving the ASC through adoptions and partner placement <br />agreements will increase. <br />• Orange County's Community Spay/Neuter Fund was created with monies generated <br />from the increased licensing differential fee approved by the Board of County <br />Commissioners in FY0708. Funding is thus available to support low-cost spay/neuter in <br />Orange County and public outreach about the individual and community benefits of <br />sterilization. <br />• Orange County has a tradition of progressive animal welfare, as well as strong <br />community expectations about the care of companion animals and the value and <br />importance of taking reasonable measures to abate the use of euthanasia as a means <br />of population control. These expectations are responsible for the design and <br />construction of the new Animal Services Center and apparent in the transition of <br />sheltering services that ended in the creation of Animal Services as a County <br />Department. <br />Thus Orange County Animal Services (OCAS) is proposing this plan because it is good <br />fiscal policy in the medium and long-term and because it continues the County's <br />commitment to humane animal welfare. Current budget constraints necessitate <br />aggressive long-term cost management. <br />4 <br />