Animal Shelter Statistics 09-2009

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Animal Services Monthly Report September, 2009 8 statistics compiled by our Animal Control Division. As is ordinarily the case, the majority of these vaccinations—1048 out of a total of 1417 vaccinations—continue to be performed at veterinary establishments. In addition, another eighty-six (86) animals were vaccinated at our Animal Services Center prior to their adoption or recovery. More than two hundred animals were vaccinated at two low-cost rabies vaccination clinics held in September in celebration of World Rabies Day. So far this year, eight low-cost clinics have been held, with 912 total animals vaccinated at those clinics. In 2008, 1159 animals were vaccinated at nineteen clinics. Seventeen total clinics were held during 2007—and 1157 dogs and cats were vaccinated as a result. 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 September was host to several exciting events for the Animal Services Department. The first was our annual Dog Swim, which took place September 13th at the Chapel Hill Community Center Pool! This was the fifth year Orange County Animal Services has put together the dog swim and the event was very well received by people and dogs alike! September is also the month in which World Rabies Day (WRD) is recognized. WRD was September 28th and is an event sponsored by the Alliance for Rabies Control and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, among other partner organizations. It is designed to raise global and local awareness about rabies and promote prevention efforts. In celebration of WRD, Animal Services held two low-cost rabies vaccination clinics, one on September 24th and one on September 27th. A total of 283 cats and dogs were vaccinated at these two clinics. Educational information about rabies, WRD and prevention was also distributed to citizens attending the clinics, as well as area veterinarians as a part of the overall outreach. A notable factor in disposition numbers still again this month is the overall economic downturn that North Carolina and other regions have experienced. As has been discussed in professional publications and reviewed on national news coverage, this economic burden has forced many people to give up things they once were more able to afford, including pets. Our impression is that this may not only be affecting adoption numbers, but also owner surrenders, reclaim rates and the ability for people to provide different levels of care such as spaying and neutering pets. Despite the economy’s effects on businesses of all kinds, adoption and reclaim numbers have stayed moderately level, in part due to staff’s dedicated work in areas such as outreach, visibility, awareness, and education.