Agenda - 02-07-2012 - 4c - Laserfiche WebLink

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Since the creation of the County's Community Spay and Neuter Fund, Animal Services staff has worked with the ASAB to begin to establish a proactive and cost-effective spay and neuter program. Significant developments in this area in calendar year 2011 included: Spaying and neutering a total of 520 cats and dogs in total on the basis of the partnership between Animal Services and AnimalKind (which offers The $20 Fix); Spaying and neutering 355 dogs and cats belonging to clients of the Department of Social Service (DSS) on a "no pay" due to DSS involvement in this program. Helping to reduce the number of animals admitted to Orange County's Animal Services Center from an annual average of 4,315 for 2005-2009 to 3,613 in 2010 to 3,396 in 2011. These and other highlights of recent efforts are reviewed in a brief power point presentation prepared for the BOCC. The presentation also provides additional detail on the partnership between Animal Services, DSS and AnimalKind (The $20 Fix). As part of the "Spay Neuter" celebration this year, Animal Services will again work with Pet Overpopulation Patrol-NC (POP-NC) to spay or neuter up to 30 cats and or dogs from families who receive service from DSS. The intent of the event is to sterilize these animals before they have the opportunity to procreate and add to the number of "surplus" pets that enter the County's Animal Services Center during the summer months when the animal shelter population peaks. In addition, Animal Services will continue ongoing outreach efforts. Outreach will consist of themed advertisements to promote the benefits of spaying and neutering pets as well as the opportunity for qualifying Orange County households to obtain low-cost or no-cost surgeries for their dogs and cats. These will be paired with a media release to further inform the public of the problem of pet overpopulation and help offer effective and low-cost solutions to County residents who may not otherwise have the means to spay and neuter their pets. FINANCIAL IMPACT: Neither the presentation nor the resolution has any financial impact. Events and outreach in conjunction with this year's Spay Neuter Day USA will involve budgeted expenditures from the County's Community Spay and Neuter Fund. POP-NC sterilization services will be obtained via an annual agreement that includes several spay and neuter events such as Spay Neuter Day USA. The FY 2011-12 operating budget for the Community Spay and Neuter Fund is $46,000. These funds primarily come from the $20 differential cost for licenses for a reproductive cat or dog versus a spayed or neutered cat or dog, combined with reimbursement from the North Carolina Spay Neuter Reimbursement Program. As of June 30, 2011, $75,339 was the fund balance for the account for the Community Spay and Neuter Program. These funds accrued from the licensing differential, donations and reimbursements from the state program. In coming years, these funds will be dedicated to supporting and promoting targeted spay and neuter in accordance with the plan in Managing Pet Overpopulation: AStrategic Plan for Orange County, North Carolina. RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends the Board adopt the proposed resolution, authorize the Chair to sign the resolution, receive the presentation, and provide staff with comments.