Spay Neuter Resolution and Agenda Abstract BOCC 2 24 15

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2 Since the creation of the County’s Community Spay and Neuter Fund, Animal Services staff has worked with the ASAB to establish a proactive and cost-effective spay and neuter program. Significant developments in this area in calendar year 2014 included: • Spaying and neutering a total of 473 cats and dogs in total on the basis of the partnership between Animal Services and AnimalKind (which offers The $20 Fix); • Spaying and neutering 289 dogs and cats belonging to clients of the Department of Social Service (DSS) on a “no pay” basis, due to DSS involvement in this program. • Helping to reducing the number of animals admitted to Orange County’s Animal Services Center from an annual average of 4315 for 2005-2009 and an average of 3419 for 2010 -2013 to 2939 in 2014, which is a record low for Orange County Animal Services. As part of our spay neuter celebration this year, Animal Services is working with SNAP- (Spay Neuter Assistance Program) to spay and neuter up to 35 cats and dogs from families who receive services from DSS on “Spay Neuter Day” using our “Beat the Heat” theme since our intent is to sterilize these animals before they have the opportunity to procreate and add to the number of “surplus” pets that enter the County’s Animal Services Center during the summer months when the animal shelter population peaks. In addition, Animal Services will continue ongoing outreach efforts. Outreach that will consist of themed advertisements to promote the benefits of spaying and neutering pets, as well as the opportunity for qualifying Orange County households to obtain low-cost or no-cost surgeries for their dogs and cats. These will be paired with media releases to further inform the public of the problem of pet overpopulation and help offer effective and low-cost solutions to County residents who may not otherwise have the means to spay and neuter their pets. In 2015, we will continue to use our “Beat the Heat” theme from January – March to get ahead of “kitten” season and prevent unwanted litters. We have rented a billboard facing 70 W in Hillsborough NC for 9 weeks starting January 5, 2015 and running through March 12, 2015. We also are increasing the number of Spay Neuter Days to four events, and we attended training on “Pets for Life”, a new door to door campaign designed to meet our targeted population face to face and assist in spaying and neutering their pets FINANCIAL IMPACT: The resolution has no financial impact. Events and outreach done in conjunction with this year’s Spay Neuter Day USA will involve appropriated funds in the County’s Community Spay and Neuter Fund. SNAP-NC sterilization services will be obtained via an annual agreement that that includes several spay and neuter events such as Spay Neuter Day USA. The FY1415 operating budget for the Community Spay and Neuter Fund is $66,350. These funds primarily come from the $20 differential cost for licenses for a reproductive cat or dog versus a spayed or neutered cat or dog, combined with reimbursement from the North Carolina Spay Neuter Reimbursement Program. Currently, the fund balance is approximately, $79,140. These funds accrued from the licensing differential, donations and reimbursements from the state program. In coming years, these funds will be dedicated to supporting and promoting targeted spays and neuter in accordance with the plan in Managing Pet Overpopulation: A Strategic Plan for Orange County, North Carolina. RECOMMENDATION: The Manager recommends the Board adopt the proposed resolution and authorize the Chair to sign the resolution.