Animal Shelter Statistics - 02-2008

Browse Search

Animal Services Monthly Report February, 2008 6 and/or observed behaviors in the context of the shelter) are one of the largest groups of animals euthanized. In February 13 feral cats were euthanized, and they comprised 33 percent of all cats euthanized during the month (and 16 percent of all animals euthanized). In fact, euthanasia of feral cats is not a “shelter problem,” but rather a communit y problem, and it needs to be addressed as such. There is a great need for init iatives in the area of public educat ion to raise awareness insofar as euthanasia is the end result for most of these creatures, and their presence must be considered in relation to the risk of rabies, given the ongoing and endemic nature of socalled “raccoon rabies” in our County and region. Thus addressing the problem of feral cats must beco me part of a strategic plan for the County’s Animal Services Department, again working in coordination with our concerned cit izenry through the Animal Services Advisory Board. These are illustrations o f the kinds of posit ive and proactive approaches that are needed to address the problem o f pet overpopulation as a communit y problem. In working to reduce the number of unwanted animals that must be sheltered in our own communit ies, 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 o f 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 Wit h respect to rabies control—historically a core function of animal control—there is a continuing concern about posit ive 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 was one (1) posit ive rabies test in Orange Count y in February, bringing the total for the year to two. There were nineteen (19) positive rabies tests in Orange Count y for 2007. Our own public educat ion activit ies 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 sevent ytwo (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 quarant ine. In this regard, staff stresses the immediate reporting of any possible contact to animal control and/or public healt h authorities to ensure the healt h of all members of a househo ld—human and pet alike. As can also be seen fro m the table on rabies exposures, Animal Control Officers investigated twelve (9) cases in which there were possible rabies exposures. Usually, these are cases invo lving known or suspected contact between a domest ic small animal such as a dog or a cat and a wild animal such as a raccoon, as well as whether there is