Agenda - 09-29-1999 - 8d - Laserfiche WebLink

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ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS Action Agenda Item No. ~_~_ ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: September 21, 1999 SUBJECT: Animal Protection Society (APS) Proposal to Raise Shelter Adoption and Board Fees DEPARTMENT: Health PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/l~ Na ATTACHMENT(S): Letter from APS Executive Director to County Manager outlining the proposal INFORMATION CONTACT: Rosemary L. Summers, Health Director 'TELEPHONE NUMBERS: - -ext. 2411 Hillsborough 732-8181 Chapel Hill 968-4501 Durham 688-7331 Mebane 227-2031 PURPOSE: To consider request to raise shelter adoption and board fees. BACKGROUND: Adoption fees have not increased in 10 years. The current costs of $75 for dogs and $49 for cats does not cover the costs of sheltering and preparing the animals for adoption. The proposed new adoption fee for dogs is $99 and for cats is $75. This represents the bulk of the 1,665 animals that the APS projects will be adopted in 1999-2000. Increases for other animals are as proposed in the attached schedule of fees. The fee increase can be divided into two categories, the first will provide an additional $9 for cats and $11 for dogs to defray the costs of the veterinary services the animal receives at the shelter before it goes to its new home. Animals vaccinations are current when they leave the shelter and each cat or dog that is adopted is either spayed or neutered. In the case of puppies or kittens too young to be spayed or neutered before adoption, pet owners may return these animals at the appropriate time for the service. The increase of fees will still not cover 100% of the costs of these services. The remaining $15 increase will allow the shelter to microchip each dog and cat adopted. The microchips will allow an animal that wanders or escapes from its home to be traced back to the owner. The shelter is currently performing microchipping of animals on a voluntary basis. By including this process as part of the adoption, a large increase in the pet population that is traceable will be achieved each year. The Animal Protection Society believes that the increase in cost will not pose a significant barrier to adoption of pets. They believe that Orange County residents have previously demonstrated a willingness to pay closer to the real costs to adopt pets from the shelter and there is no evidence that adoption rates will decrease with new fees.