Animal Shelter Statistics 08-2009

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Animal Services Monthly Report August, 2009 7 These are illustrations of the kinds of positive and proactive approaches that are needed to address the problem of pet overpopulation as a community problem. In working to reduce the number of unwanted animals that must be sheltered in our own communities, we would also expect improvements in some of the outcomes of our sheltering practices. We should all look forward to the day when there are very good numbers of adoptions and “live releases” but no less notable ongoing decreases in the number of animals that come to our shelter. Rabies Cycle, Rabies Prevention and Rabies Control With respect to rabies control—historically a core function of animal control—there is a continuing concern about positive rabies tests based upon public reporting and our surveillance of possible exposures of people and/or their pets. Table C.1 Rabies Exposures Investigated and Positive Cases shows that this month there were two positive rabies tests in Orange County in August, both for bats. This brings the total for the year to twelve (12), which includes five (5) raccoons, four (4) bats, two (2) foxes, and one (1) skunk. In 2008, there were twenty (20)3 positive tests. There were nineteen (19) positive rabies tests in Orange County for 2007. Our own public education activities stress that pet owners not only need to be sure that their pets are vaccinated and licensed but that a dog or cat with a current rabies vaccination must receive a booster shot within seventy-two (72) hours of 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 seventeen (17) 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 3There was a positive rabies results from October 2008 that is not counted in this total as there was no suspected human exposure.