Animal Shelter Statistics 02-2010

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Animal Services Monthly Report February, 2010 7 any exposure to rabies. Unless an exposed pet with a current vaccination receives a booster shot within that time frame, the requirements of North Carolina law is the same as for an unvaccinated animal—namely, euthanasia or a six (6) month quarantine. In this regard, staff stresses the immediate reporting of any possible contact to animal control and/or public health authorities to ensure the health of all members of a household— human and pet alike. As can also be seen from the table on rabies exposures, Animal Control Officers investigated six (6) cases in which there were possible rabies exposures. Usually, these are cases involving known or suspected contact between a domestic small animal such as a dog or a cat and a wild animal such as a raccoon, as well as whether there is indirect contact between a human and pet member of a household in these situations. But our Animal Control Officers are also responsible for bite reports involving dogs and cats (as well as other animals) and a human victim. In these cases, it is a legal requirement and public health precaution that a dog or cat biting a human being be contained and observed for a period of ten (10) days—thereby ensuring that the bite victim was not exposed to the rabies virus. Efforts to ensure current vaccination, for the welfare of pets and the people with whom they come into contact, are ongoing and activities in this area are captured by vaccination statistics compiled by our Animal Control Division. As is ordinarily the case, the majority of these vaccinations—1008 out of a total of 1192 vaccinations—continue to be performed at veterinary establishments. In addition, another ninety four (94) animals were vaccinated at our Animal Services Center prior to their adoption or recovery. One low-cost rabies vaccination clinics were held in February, the first for the year, and a total of 96 animals were vaccinated at that clinic. Ten clinics were held in 2009 and a total of 1084 animals were vaccinated at those clinics. There are ten low-cost clinics scheduled for 2010 and all but two are being held at the new Animal Services Center. For information about upcoming clinics, visit http://www.co.orange.nc.us/animalservices.rabies.asp. All of these activities—public education and outreach, investigations and enforcement, and providing low-cost vaccination clinics—are critical given that Orange County continues to be affected by the epidemic of “eastern raccoon rabies” that began in the latter half of the 1990s. Special Monthly Notes The Animal Services Department celebrated “Spay Neuter Day USA,” a national holiday recognized by the Humane Society of the United States on February 23rd. The Board of County Commissioners approved a resolution submitted by the Animal Services Department to declare February 23, 2010 “Spay Neuter Day USA” in Orange County. In honor of Spay Neuter Day, Animal Services worked with Pet Overpopulation Patrol of