Animal Shelter Statistics - 02-2006

Browse Search

Orange County Animal Services 501 W. Franklin St, Suite 106, Chapel Hill, NC 27514 (919) 968-2287 Animal Control PO Box 8181 304 Revere Rd Hillsborough, NC 27278 (919) 245-2075 Robert A. Marotto, Director Animal Shelter 1081 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd Chapel Hill, NC 27514 (919) 967-7383 Monthly Report Orange County Animal Services February 2006 Departmental Highlights 1. Irene Paul was hired and began her employment as the new Manager of our Animal Control Division. Ms. Paul has a decade of leadership and management experience in the field of animal control and animal services in South as well as North Carolina. She was selected on the basis of a national search that drew candidates from throughout the country. Her selection was based upon her management skills and interpersonal skills, extensive knowledge of animal control and services, and accomplishments. Also, efforts continued to fill the Animal Care Technician position that will be vacated by the impending retirement of Zandra Talbert. Interviews were conducted with candidates from the certified list, but a final determination is still being made. The intent is to hire someone who has a commitment to customer service as well as animal care experience and skills. It should be noted that Ms. Talbert is a long-term employee who transitioned to the County after her employment with the Animal Protection Society, and who is known for her extraordinary love for cats and other animals. She is expected to announce her retirement date in the near future. 2. In the month of February, there were two (2) positive rabies cases—one for a raccoon and one for a skunk. Those positive tests brought to three (3) the year-to-date number of positive rabies tests for 2006. (The prior positive test in January was for a raccoon.) Last year, by comparison, March 8th was the date of the first of twenty-three (23) positive rabies tests. Positive tests underscore the importance of effective rabies surveillance and rabies control. These are core services of the Animal Services Department and the provision of these services involves effective coordination with select personnel in the County’s Health Department as well as North Carolina Public Veterinarians, among others. Integral to these services is public outreach and education about the rabies virus in relation to responsible pet ownership in our communities and throughout the County. 3. Two low-cost rabies vaccination clinics were held in the month of February. At the first clinic of the year held at the Animal Shelter on Saturday, February 4th, a total of ninety (90) animals— forty-six (46) dogs and forty-four (44) cats—were vaccinated. At the second clinic of the year held at Paws and Claws on Saturday, February 11th, a total of thirty-nine (39) animals—twenty-