Agenda - 02-06-2018 4-a - Resolution Acknowledging February 27, 2018, as Spay Neuter Day in Orange County

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PIA • Helping to control the number of animals admitted by Orange County's Animal Services Center which was only 2,740 in 2017, an all -time low. Two new efforts beginning in 2017 and expected to grow in 2018 deserve special mention. One is Orange County's ability to make subsidized spay and neuter for cats and dogs available to more residents than ever before. Orange County Animal Services received a grant in the amount of $16,500 from the new Margaret T. Petrie Spaying and Neutering Foundation to cover the cost of spay and neuter for animals belonging to residents whose household income is between 200 and 400 percent of the federal poverty level. Previously, 200 percent was the ceiling for income -based qualification. The other new effort is sterilization of cats from farms and stables in more rural parts of Orange County. With a $5,000 grant from the Triad Foundation in Ithaca, New York, Animal Services has created a Working (Barn) Cat Program that not only sterilizes but vaccinates, microchips and licenses participating felines for free. As a result of outreach involving Cooperative Extension and the Agricultural Preservation Board, among others, Animal Services was able to sterilize 39 cats from 3 farms during the last quarter of 2017 and hopes to see similar or greater impact in the coming months. FINANCIAL IMPACT: The resolution has no financial impact. Events and outreach efforts in conjunction with this year's Spay Neuter Day involve funds already in the County's Community Spay and Neuter Fund. The FY2017 -18 operating budget for the Community Spay and Neuter Fund is $60,850 and there is a fund balance of approximately $62,771. These funds primarily come from the $20 differential license fee for reproductive cats and dogs, combined with reimbursement from the North Carolina Spay Neuter Reimbursement Program, significant donations from the public and grants awarded to Animal Services. SOCIAL JUSTICE IMPACT: There is no Orange County Social Justice Goal impact associated with this item. RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends the Board receive a brief update of new initiatives and adopt the proposed resolution and authorize the Chair to sign the resolution.