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Animal Services Monthly Report January, 2010 <br /> <br />8 <br />performed at veterinary establishments. In addition, another ninety four (94) animals <br />were vaccinated at our Animal Services Center prior to their adoption or recovery. <br /> <br />No low-cost rabies vaccination clinics were held in January, but a total of 1084 animals <br />were vaccinated at the ten clinics held in 2009. There are ten low-cost clinics scheduled <br />for 2010 and all but two are being held at the new Animal Services Center. For <br />information about upcoming clinics, visit <br />http://www.co.orange.nc.us/animalservices.rabies.asp. <br /> <br />All of these activities—public education and outreach, investigations and enforcement, <br />and providing low-cost vaccination clinics—are critical given that Orange County <br />continues to be affected by the epidemic of “eastern raccoon rabies” that began in the <br />latter half of the 1990s. <br /> <br /> <br />Special Monthly Notes <br /> <br />The Center’s in-house spay and neuter suite, which began operation in December on a <br />part-time basis, went into full operation in January. The suite, which is designed to allow <br />the Center the ability to spay and neuter its own adoptable pets rather than send them to <br />other establishments for such service, will be beneficial to the department and animals in <br />many ways. It will not only save in transportation and staff time, but will also reduce the <br />risk associated with transporting animals for surgery (and potentially exposing them to <br />outside elements). Future plans also include educational opportunities for the public, as <br />the suite is designed with a picture window that will allow visitors to view surgeries in <br />process. <br /> <br />A notable factor in disposition numbers still again this month is the overall economic <br />downturn that North Carolina and other regions have experienced. As has been discussed <br />in professional publications and reviewed on national news coverage, this economic <br />burden has forced many people to give up things they once were more able to afford, <br />including pets. Our impression is that this may not only be affecting adoption numbers, <br />but also owner surrenders, reclaim rates and the ability for people to provide different <br />levels of care such as spaying and neutering pets. Despite the economy’s effects on <br />businesses of all kinds, adoption and reclaim numbers have stayed moderately level, in <br />part due to staff’s dedicated work in areas such as outreach, visibility, awareness, and <br />education. <br /> <br /> <br />Conclusion <br /> <br />Animal Services continues to develop new ways in which to better serve the animals and <br />citizens of the county. With the opening of the new Animal Services Center in June of <br />2009, the department expects to be able to better meet the needs of the community and <br />more effectively and efficiently in the long run. The creation of the new facility has been <br />a priority in the planning and time of the department since its creation, and this