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

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9 III. Targeted Spay and Neuter Fundamental to this plan is the concept of targeted spay and neuter.4 Targeted spay and neuter refers to the sterilization of pets, such as cats and dogs, that would not be sterilized in the absence of a program aimed at those animals. A good illustration are low-cost spay and neuter programs, e:g., The $20 Fix program offered by Orange County and AnimalKind. Without this program, it is very reasonable to believe that the overwhelming majority of animals spayed and neutered through this program would not be sterilized due to the prohibitive costs of the procedure for lower income households in our community. Animal welfare experts concerned with pet overpopulation suggest that targeted spay and neuter can and does reduce the number of surplus or unwanted pets in a community or area. The important corollary of this point is that animal shelters in a community will begin to see a decrease in the number of companion animals they take in and care for. As with other animal demographics, this is measured as a per capita rate per thousand residents to control for increases (or decreases) in the number of people and households in a particular place. The same experts have indicated that the number of animals that need to be sheltered will begin to significantly decline with a targeted spay and neuter rate of between 4 and 6 pet sterilizations per thousand residents. In the case of Orange County, this would mean that these sterilizations would need to number 570 (the midpoint between 480 and 720). This target number of spays and neuter may well need to change as a result of growth in human population in Orange County, but it provides a measurable objective toward which to work on the basis of the strategic plan set out in subsequent sections of this document. Based on the current cost per surgery, it is estimated that 600 sterilizations will cost $45,000 annually. The concept of targeted spay and neuter can be put into perspective by reviewing the impact of pet reproduction on animal intake at Orange County's Animal Services Center. This data is organized into two tables presented as Appendix I (Litter Animals Relative to Total Intakes 2007, 2008 and 2009) and Appendix II (Animal Litter Intakes 2007, 2008 & 2009). In 2009, 372 litters of kittens and puppies were admitted and they accounted for 1334 individual animals. In turn, these animals accounted for 33 percent (1334 of 4036) of the total number of companion animals admitted (or received) by Animal Services. This is a characteristic annual pattern. For the calendar years 2007, 2008 and 2009, for instance, an average of 391 litters of kittens and puppies accounted for an average of 4 Peter Marsh is among the most respected proponents of this concept. A good example of his overall approach and specific conceptualization of targeted spay and neuter is available in Marsh, P. 2009. Using Evidence-Based Programs to Eradicate Shelter Overpopulation AProgram-By-Program Handbook. Concord, New Hampshire: Town and Country Reprographics. 7