Animal Shelter Statistics - 07-2008

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Animal Services Monthly Report July, 2008 7 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 twenty-two (22) 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—1470 out of a total of 1573 vaccinations—continue to be performed at veterinary establishments. In addition, another one hundred and three (103) animals were vaccinated at our Animal Shelter prior to their adoption or recovery. No low-cost rabies vaccination clinics were held in July, but clinics are scheduled for August and September. To date 752 animals have been vaccinated at twelve 2008 clinics. Seventeen total clinics were held during 2007—and 1157 dogs and cats were vaccinated as a result. Details and further information on low-cost rabies vaccination clinics can be found at 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. Their essential nature is further underscored by the current view that we are on the upside of a raccoon rabies cycle that may bring even higher numbers of confirmed rabies cases than we have seen in recent years. Special Monthly Notes There have been several events and challenges that have affected animal disposition numbers this month. The most notable has been the ongoing remediation project underway near the Animal Shelter on Municipal Drive. The project, conducted by the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, has posed several challenges, including parking adjustments, public awareness and visibility. The Shelter continues to do outreach and hold extra events to promote awareness and work around these challenges. Updates on the remediation project can be seen at the Animal Services website at www.co.orange.nc.us/animalservices.