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

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fourth and subsequent recoveries have an impoundment fee of $200.1 There is currently no fee differential for reproductive versus sterilized animals. This subcommittee was tasked with reviewing whether OCAS can strengthen the current recovered animal policy to reduce the number of stray animals, facilitate the recovery of lost animals by their owners, and reduce unwanted litters from stray reproductive animals. IV. Subcommittee Process After a detailed discussion during the first meeting of the committee, members decided to specifically address two questions: A. Should recommendations for mandatory microchip placement be made for dogs and cats that are repeatedly recovered by their owners from OCAS? B. Should recommendations for mandatory sterilization be made for dogs and cats that are repeatedly recovered by their owners from OCAS? In order to address these questions, committee members surveyed current local and national practices, looked for informative veterinary literature, identified recommendations from animal welfare organizations, and reviewed animal recovery statistics from OCAS. V. Subcommittee Findings A. Microchip Placement: 1. Surveys: A survey of animal control practices in local counties revealed that Guilford County and Forsythe County require microchip placement at the owner's expense prior to return of the animal to the owner. The microchip fee in Guilford County is $10, and the fee in Forsythe County is $12. Wake County Animal Care, Control, and Adoption does not require microchip placement. Durham APS strongly recommends but does not require microchip placement. A brief national survey revealed that many cities, counties, and state animal agencies require that recovered animals have a microchip placed prior to return to owner (Appendix B). 2. Literature review: A data search was performed (Appendix Q. An article by Lord, Ingwersen, Bray, and Wintz published in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association revealed that the presence of microchips in both dogs and cats greatly facilitated the return of pets to owners in 53 animal shelters surveyed over a seven - -month period. 3. Animal welfare organizations: The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) states (Appendix Q: "The AVMA believes that state and local governments must evaluate their needs and resources to develop appropriate and effective dog and cat population control programs. This would include... Requiring permanent identification through microchipping." 1 Note that impoundment and allied fees are distinct from civil fines and/or criminal prosecution for at large animals in violation of the public nuisance provision of the county's animal ordinances. The owner may receive a civil citation with monetary penalty in addition to paying the recovery fees itemized above. The owner could also be charged for a misdemeanor offense under the same ordinance. These fees and violations will not be addressed in this proposal.