Minutes 02-12-2013 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Commissioner McKee noted that, in the abstract, very few animals are recovered three or more times. He asked what seems to be the reason given for these repeat recovered animals, and he also noted that the fees seem oppressively high. Bob Marotto said, to his first question, there is a lack of pet ownership responsibility and the animal not being suitably confined. Dr. White said the fee is high so as to affect the owner enough to get the animal spayed or neutered or confined. She said, in some cases, the owner chooses to give up the animal rather than pay the fee and in those cases, it is usually the best for the animal. Bob Marotto said every time a person recovers an animal, a multi-lingual document will be given and a phone call will be made to inform the person about low cost or free spay or neuter services available for qualifying incomes. He said that the education and the incentives should help motivate people. Commissioner Pelissier said she appreciated the thoroughness of the research and information. She said that even though they plan to give information on spay/neuter to those who recover pets, she wonders if there is a way to know why people don't spay or neuter. Dr. White said there are so many pros for neutering or spaying an animal. However, many people fear weight gain, personality change, etc. She said that education may change some of these attitudes. Bob Marotto said those who have been involved with spay and neuter over the last 15 years will tell you that there has been a shift from education to affordable spay and neuter programs. He said a number of organizations found that advertising was generating interest in sterilization; however the target audience couldn't access it because of limited means. He said this led to the organization of subsidized programs to make it accessible. This is the model that has been followed. He said, in the last 2 years, the shelter has done more than 500 spays and neuters of pets belonging to families receiving public assistance, or with limited house household income. He stressed that the availability is a central issue and should be combined with education and incentives. Commissioner Price asked if they had a goal of a number or percentage of animals to spay and neuter. Bob Marotto said the hope is to get up to 650 targeted sterilizations each year, which is calculated on the basis of experience other communities have had. He said experience has shown that with six or seven targeted spays or neuters per thousand, the reproduction rate and the shelter intake numbers decline. He said that targeted sterilization means reaching out to people who would not otherwise sterilize their pets. Frank Clifton recognized Bob Marotto and the Animal Services Advisory Board for all of their proactive programs for animal welfare in Orange County. Chair Jacobs noted that there was a surgical suite built in the shelter. He said there are also photos on the web for people looking for animals. He asked if a recovered animal can only stay up to 5 days before it is decided it is expendable and if the shelter factors in how well cared for the animals appear to be. Bob Marotto said if they have an animal that has been subject to neglect and is a stray, the animal would be sustained and observed for any physical and temperamental improvements. He said, if they feel that this animal may become adoptable later, attempts would be made to do that at the shelter or to reach out to partnering organizations for fostering opportunities. He gave examples of the ways in which social media and other avenues are used to place the adoptable animals. The only exceptions are cruelty cases and other animals involved in investigations. He said there is a discretionary process used to prevent euthanizing adoptable animals. Commissioner McKee noted that this agency has always tried to work with residents to come to equitable solutions. Commissioner Rich asked how most animals come to the shelter.