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HSOC Philosophy <br />The guiding philosophy of the HSOC is that lost, homeless, and abused animals need help and <br />can suffer tremendously if a humane, professional approach to their sheltering and care is not in <br />place. One of the main concerns of the HSOC is pet overpopulation. There are several strong <br />factions in animal welfare, including no-kill movements, that are struggling to save as many <br />animals as possible, ideally 100%. However, the HSOC recognizes that at the present time there <br />are not enough homes for all animals. It doesn't make any difference how large a shelter is, all <br />these homeless, unwanted, and abused animals cannot be saved at this time. One can only work <br />to save as many adoptable animals as possible. <br />The HSOC is dedicated to service to the animals under its care in a community that has a strong <br />desire for humane treatment of animals. Overcrowding of the shelter, even if done with the best <br />intentions, may have disastrous results for the animals, including sickness, depression, mental <br />anguish resulting in withdrawal or aggression, and death. Along with strong in-house controls on <br />the numbers of animals, the foster animal program and breed rescue release will be applied in the <br />manner that HSUS recommends. Interviews, applications, and home visits will be requisite part of <br />the foster and breed rescue programs, and programs will not be larger than the staff can <br />adequately supervise. The foster and breed rescue programs may be very limited at the <br />beginning until we have confidence that they are running properly with standard record keeping in <br />place. <br />One of the main goals of this Society is to address the overpopulation problem so that the Orange <br />County Animal Shelter can move responsibly in the direction of no kill. In the meantime, incoming <br />shelter animals will be cared for in a professional, safe, and loving environment. If not adopted out <br />within a reasonable time frame, animals will be euthanized. Euthanasia is the unfortunate but <br />humane outcome of pet overpopulation. The HSOC recognizes that many animals may have their <br />best week of their life while at the OCAS. <br />Until recently the Orange County Animal Shelter has held the reputation of being progressive and <br />has been noted for reducing the numbers of animals coming into the Shelter, while at the same <br />time enjoying the highest adoption rate in North Carolina. According to the HSUS formula, <br />Orange County should average 8,330 incoming animals per year. In 2002-3, crediting the <br />previous strong APS sterilization program, only 5,165 animals had to be admitted. This <br />sterilization program must be restored, and the HSOC will work with local veterinarians and <br />organizations to insure that it is. <br />HSUS reports that recently released OCAS animals have not been sterilized. The HSOC will use <br />the previous standard adoption contract at the OCAS and animals older than 8 weeks will be <br />sterilized before going home. The only exceptions will be animals with physical or health <br />problems. These animals will be evaluated and after consultation with a veterinarian may be <br />given time to recover before the sterilization operation. They will be monitored and afollow-up of <br />each animal will be conducted to insure that no animals adopted from the shelter can reproduce. <br />7 <br />