ASAB Goal Setting 2013_2014 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Brief Statement of Board/Commission’s Assigned Charge and Responsibilities. In keeping with the general mission of county advisory boards, the ASAB will continue to serve as a sounding board for stakeholder groups, reviewing animal-related policy issues raised by residents or identified by the BOCC. Animal Services and other county staff will continue to direct residents to the ASAB as a critical step in any review and discussion process for policy and/or programs prior to bringing an issue to the Board of County Commissioners. The ASAB would stress that it remains fundamentally concerned about the human aspects of animal issues and services as well as animal welfare. It continues to be involved with the full range of services that impact public health and safety as well as community livability. The ASAB would also recall that one of its members is the veterinarian who serves on Orange County’s Health Board. In addition, the ASAB values the “human-animal bond” and the role of animal companions in enriching the quality of life for individuals, communities and cultures. A good illustration is the ASAB’s support for Animal Services’ partnership with the Department of Social Service to provide low-cost and no-cost pet sterilization to households of lesser means. Another illustration is the ASAB’s strong and ongoing support for the department’s ten (10) or so annual low cost rabies vaccination clinics, which are responsible for approximately 1000 dog and cat vaccinations each year. What are your Board/Commission’s most important accomplishments? The ASAB continued to work with staff and stakeholders to support and promote a strategic plan for managing pet overpopulation in Orange County. The board developed specific recommendations for the micro- chipping of stray animals being recovered from Animal Services and also developed an innovative recovery schedule to encourage residents to spay and neuter their dogs and cats. The ASAB also worked closely and collaboratively with staff in reviewing several versions of the proposed unified animal control ordinance. This review was focused as well as general nature and it afforded residents the opportunity to offer comment on specific elements of the proposed ordinance. In addition, the board worked hard to assure the continuity of its own successful operation after a long period in which the Board of County Commissioners did not appoint new members to boards and commissions. The ASAB Chair continued to communicate with the BOCC Chair or other