Agenda - 02-12-2013 - 1 - Laserfiche WebLink

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13 There are owners who relinquish ownership of their animals rather than pay fees to the shelter. The hope is that Orange County Animal Shelter can strengthen the current recovered animal policy to protect cats, dogs, and the public, reduce unwanted litters, and incentivize owners to confine their pets appropriately. Possible actions include changing legislation to require mandatory microchip placement and mandatary sterilization of cats and dogs prior to owner redemption. 3. Best Practices at Animal Shelters. Bob shared information gathered from other communities: A. Sacramento County Code 8.16.030 Redemption. In addition to ensuring timely rabies vaccination and the payment of all fees, "If the impounded animal was previously impounded and released, the animal may be released to the owner ... on condition that the animal has been spayed or neutered prior to its release..." B. Sacramento City Code 9.44.190 Required Alteration. "In order to reduce the likelihood that dogs allowed to be at large shall breed unwanted animals, any dog impounded for being at large which previously has been redeemed from the animal care services center after impoundment for being at large shall be spayed or neutered at the redeeming owner's expense prior to a second or subsequent redemption." C. Minneapolis Animal Care and Control. "Upon redemption of any lawfully impounded dog or cat over six (6) months of age found at large and not previously sterilized, the owner shall deposit with the animal control shelter a sterilization deposit fee ... Such sterilization deposit shall be fully refundable upon proof that the animal has been sterilized by a licensed veterinarian within forty -five (45) days..." Similar sterilization ordinances have been passed by the following communities: Artesia, New Mexico; State of Utah; Tulsa, Oklahoma; New York, New York; St. Louis, Missouri; and Eugene, Oregon. 4. SuRaested amendment to current Orange County Animal Services Recovered Stra y Animal ordinance; Members of the task force discussed the addition of licensing requirements, mandatary microchip placement, and mandatory sterilization of recovered animals. Part 1. Ensuring licensing that is current. Issues and solutions regarding pet licensing in Orange County are currently being addressed by an alternative committee. Therefore this committee will not address changes to license regulations at this time. Part 2. Microchip placement. Placement of microchips in dogs and cats prior to pet adoption has been shown to improve subsequent stray pet recovery rates. The Animal Services Advisory Board has reviewed the possibility of recommending that the Grange County Animal Shelter take on the responsibility and cost of implanting microchips in all adopted pets. However, due to budget constraints, such a policy can not be put into place at this time. In selected populations, mandatory microchip placement may be appropriate. Additional advantages of placing a microchip in recovered stray animals include: A. Reduced staff time and effort in the identification of the pet. B. Reduced owner confusion regarding the identity of a pet. C. Easier documentation of stray pets repeatedly brought to the shelter. D. Proof of ownership in situations in which the owner denies responsibility for the stray pet. This committee will consider recommending mandatory microchip placement in any stray cat or dog that is subsequently recovered by its owner. The owner must pay the expense of the placement of the microchip and register the appropriate contact information before the animal is released to the owner. The owner will be made aware of the consequences of additional requirements should the animal be recovered a second or third time.