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The Board considered contracting with the Animal Protection Society of Orange County to provide <br />animal shelter services at a cost of $392,671. <br />Health Director Rosemary Summers said that a special subcommittee was set up to review the <br />contract between the Animal Protection Society and Orange County for an Animal Shelter operation. The <br />document as included in the agenda includes recommendations from the subcommittee. Changes were <br />made in the shelter procedures manual. These changes include section 11.25, The Adoption of a Potentially <br />Dangerous Dog; 11.26, the Adoption Appeals Process; 11.27, Outdoor Only Dog Adoption Guidelines; and <br />11.28, Definitions of Not Adoptable Animals. The Board of Health also reviewed the funding request far next <br />year and recommended a 12°lo increase over the current year funding. The Manager's recommendation is at <br />10%, which would bring the funding to $392,671. This funding is designated primarily to raise staff salaries to <br />aid in recruitment and retention. <br />Commissioner Halkiotis thanked Rosemary Summers and questioned section 11.27 and <br />stipulation C, Adequate Companionship. Rosemary Summers said that this was talking about human <br />companionship. One of the factors in outdoor only adoptions is that when dogs are only outdoors, the <br />owners tend not to spend as much time with thane dogs. As a result, the dogs become less socialized to <br />humans and are at greater risk for becoming bite and behavior problems. One of the things with outdoor <br />adoptions is that it is hoped that the owners will make a commitment to spending time with their animals. The <br />staff is working on trying to track any nuisance calls with the outdoor only adopted dogs. <br />Commissioner Gordon asked about the recommended changes in the procedures manual. She <br />asked if there were any other parts in the manual where changes were considered but not made. Rosemary <br />Summers said that the committee did not make any significant changes to the remainder of the document. <br />There was one friendly amendment to language on page 2 of the contract. In 2a, the second sentence <br />should read, "Society shall pay a living wage as determined from time to time by the Board of County <br />Commissioners." <br />Commissioner Brown asked about outreach on spaying and neutering and encouraged the APS to <br />publicize these services. Rosemary Summers said that outreach was a joint responsibility by the Health <br />Department and the APS. <br />Dean Edwards, Associate Director of the APS, said that they have seen a dramatic increase in the <br />number of requests from people who purchase certificates to have their animals spayed ar neutered. They <br />have seen a tripling in the number of requests this year for low cost spay/neuter programs. He said that it <br />was a sensitive issue with the local veterinarians because they believe that people who can afford to go to a <br />veterinary clinic and pay the full amount might take advantage of the low cost spaylneuter program. <br />Commissioner Brown would like to see the APS actively promoting the spaying and neutering <br />program. <br />Pat Sanford, Executive Director of the APS, said that they were working on a plan at this time to <br />offer a low cost spaylneuter program. The spaylneuter legislation that Ellie Kinnard has recommended has a <br />three to one differential. The APS is suggesting that the differential be raised to encourage people to have <br />their animals spayed and neutered and to increase the reclamation fees. She said that 98°~ of the animals <br />that leave the shelter are spayed and neutered before they leave. <br />Commissioner Brown asked about the special neutering program for very young animals. Pat <br />Sanford said that they spaylneuter puppies and kittens from eight weeks on if they are healthy. This cuts <br />down on cancer in both males and females later in life. <br />A motion was made by Commissioner Halkiotis, seconded by Commissioner Jacobs to approve a <br />contract with the Animal Protection Society of Orange County to provide animal shelter services at a cost of <br />$392,671 with the minor change that the attorney made in the language in the contract. <br />VOTE: UNANIMOUS <br />c. Creation of Library Task Force <br />The Board considered appointing ashort-term task force to study library service and draft along- <br />range library plan. <br />John Link said that the Board asked that the staff come back with a proposal on a countywide task <br />force that would study library services in the County and prepare along-range plan far Orange County <br />libraries, particularly in terms of haw the County would participate in providing for library services in the <br />County. The timeline would begin in July and finish by the end of April 2001. <br />