DEPARTMENT OF ANIMAL SERVICES UPDATE ON PROGRAMS AND FUTURE STRATEGIES AND REQUEST APPROVAL TO SEEK GRANT FUNDING

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Cory Cameron
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1 THE BOARD OF $UP~RVISOAS OF THE COUNTY OF STANISLAUS ACTION AGENDA SUMMARY DEPT: ANIMAL SERVICES Urgent Routi ne X CEO Concurs with Recommendation ~ NO (rnl~ion Attached) BOARD AGENDA # ~B-~2~O ~~~~ AGENDA DATE August 20, /5 Vote Required YES NO SUBJECT: DEPARTMENT OF ANIMAL SERVICES UPDATE ON PROGRAMS AND FUTURE STRATEGIES STAFF RECOMMEN DATIONS: 1. ACCEPT THE REPORT OF DEPARTMENT OF ANIMAL SERVICES UPDATE OF PROGRAMS AND FUTURE STRATEGICES 2. AUTHORIZE THE DIRECTOR OF ANIMAL SERVICES TO SEEK GRANT AND/ OR FOUNDATION FUNDING FOR THE COMMUNITY SPAY AND NEUTER PROGRAM ~~~~~i. This report provides an update on the programs and services provided by the Animal Services. Department. It also will cover future strategies to address the needs in this community and does not include any immediate recommendation that would have a fiscal impact on the County. It is recommended that the Department be given the authority to seek alternate funding for the Community Spay and Neuter Program. The fiscal impact of any funding received for this approval will be reviewed with the Board at the time of acceptance of this new funding ~ BOARD ACTION AS FOLLOWS: No On motion of Supervisor!?Lo'!1,Seconded by Supervisor.Q.~r..u~Q and approved by the following vote, Ayes: Supervisors~e~~1~61Qm~SiIQQD~.Q.qnt~o~~odQb~ffIOaD~L~g-- Noes: Supervisors:~9De Excused or Absent: supervtsors.nooe, Abstaining: Supervisor:..NoDa } X Approved as recommended 2) Denied 3) Approved as amended MOTION: ATTEST: CHRISTINE FERRARO TALLMAN, Clerk File No B

2 Page 2 DISCUSSION: Introduction: For sometime now there has been a great deal of concerted effort to improve the conditions of the Animals Services facility, to better meet customer needs and to more humanely and effectively manage the animal population brought to the Animal Services Shelter each day. The Department has embarked on a deliberate benchmarking process with San Francisco Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, as well as the Marin Humane Society and a variety of rescue groups. As part of the benchmarking efforts, the Department has been able to implement a number of new initiatives improving the health of its animals, and increasing the number of animals reclaimed, adopted and rescued. Since 1998, Stanislaus County has been one of very few counties that has a veterinarian on staff. This ensures the proper care of animals brought to the shelter that have been injured, as well as assisting in decreasing the spread of disease and other illness associated with a shelter environment. Animal Services mission is to strive for community compliance of state and local laws; to provide a professional level of service, along with promoting responsible pet ownership. Utilizing the balanced score card approach the Department is able to measure a number of results in meeting the mission. The following presents a summary of the results and ideas for a future direction. Financial Results: During fiscal year anticipated reclaim revenue nearly doubled. The Department estimated they would receive $20,000, and in fact, received over $51,000. Adoptions revenue on the other hand did not meet the budget target of $95,000, falling short by approximately $20,000. It is important to note, however, that adoption revenue doubled over the fiscal year. Licensing revenue also fell a little short of projected numbers. The reason for this was a number of high profile animal cruelty cases that required the reallocation of resources that had to be devoted to these cases rather than adoptions. In retrospect we were too optimistic about the licensing revenue in last year's projection. Animal Services continues to provide contract services for the City of Modesto (Shelter Services only at this time), and the Cities of Ceres, Hughson, Newman, Patterson, Riverbank and Waterford (patrol and shelter services.) This revenue will be close to target once all of the fourth quarter billings are received. This year, the budget exceeded appropriations by $60,454. While this was disappointing, much of it had to do with higher employee salary and benefit costs. There was no adjustment recommended for this budget

3 Page 3 because it appeared that there would be savings in other areas. Part of this was due to a backlog in posting of Accounts Receivable and Payable. The department has remedied this and will monitor the budget, both revenue and expenditures, closely at the end of each month. A major accomplishment in this area this past year has been the installation of a credit card machine in the front office of the facility. This has facilitated payments from the public for services rendered, and has been positively received by our customers. Innovation and Growth: Animal Services has focused on expanding educational services throughout the community. Ascot the Mascot has continued to visit elementary schools to educate children on the importance of being responsible pet owners. The program has been expanded to safety fairs, local parades and community events. Informational brochures and educational materials, in both English and Spanish, are provided to citizens at rabies clinics and pet owners are given information about the microchip program at the time of adoption or when they reclaim a lost pet. The Department has been fortunate to have a positive working relationship with the media, including Channel 14, Kat Country Radio and a Broad Band Cable website link to promote the spay/neuter program. The County Veterinarian also contributes articles to the local newspapers on pet health. Bite prevention classes are offered to any organization (public or private) to minimize the risk for those who may be exposed to aggressive animals on the job. The Department has expanded its website to include placing pictures of adoptable dogs and cats on its bulletin boards. One of the most effective educational programs has been the Four-Footed Fun Fair. This past year over 4,500 visitors attend the event. There have been many sponsors and participants that continue to make this event better each year. The fifth annual fair is scheduled for April 26, 2003.

4 Page 4 Animal Care: There have been a number of very positive changes in this area. The Adoption Center has helped increase the adoption rate by 26%. The environment is much more customer friendly. The air exchange unit that was installed in the Adoption Center improved air circulation and odor control. The public has the opportunity to visit with potential adoptees in the visitation/dog park area, to help them decide if this particular dog would be a good match for them. Probably the most notable accomplishment directly related to the Adoption Center is that it has contributed to the Department's 17.4% decrease in the euthanasia rate. On-site veterinary care has improved the nutrition for all animals housed at the facility. Contagious diseases are readily identified to help maintain a healthy environment. On-site spay and neuter services have increased compliance from 72% to 92%. The Department has offered programs that provide spay/neutering for low-income individuals at no cost. This past year the Department has changed course and expanded the spay/neuter program to a aggressive community-wide program called SCATE, Stanislaus County Alternative To Euthanasia. Micro chipping is vital in the reclaiming of lost pets. Micro chipping is available at all vaccination clinics and the Department requires mandatory micro chipping for all bite animals that are reclaimed by their owners. Community Changes: The Department has expanded vaccination clinics throughout the county. A number of partnerships have been developed with the contract cities, the media and local veterinarians. The Department's strategic planning process has included community members and members of the Animal Services Advisory Board. Volunteers continue to playa vital role in the Center. Animal Services has developed better relationships with other counties, providing mutual aid and high level of communications involving cruelty cases. Internal Changes: Staff plays a vital role in the success of all Animal Services operations. Enhanced education and training of staff, including team building efforts have improved services to the community as well as ensure the protection and well being of our vital customer - our employees. The Road Yet to Travel: There are a number of ideas, programs and options that need to be pursued. An immediate project is to create one, countywide dog license. We would like to be able to sell a license in our facility for any customer throughout the county, regardless of their city of residence. Likewise we would like those cities and even possibly local veterinarians to be able to sell dog licenses as well.

5 Page 5 The SCATE Program, Stanislaus County Alternative to Euthanasia is an aggressive spay and neuter program designed to reduce the number of unwanted pets. Over a period of three years this program hopes to spay/neuter 35,000 pets. These services would be offered without charge to all county residents. Pets would be vaccinated, microchipped, and licensed for $40.00 prior to the spay/neuter surgery. This ensures a safe and healthy community, but also teaches responsible pet ownership. This program will greatly reduce euthanasia and reduce the number of loose dogs and feral cats throughout the community. To do this Animal Services plans to aggressively seek grant and/or foundation funding. The program would be proposed over a three-year period at a total cost of approximately $3,000,000. With grant funding, this program could improve the health and safety of our community and save costly future expenditures. Animals entering the shelter annually could be reduced from 20,000 animals to 15,000 the first year and below 7,000 at the end of three years. Animal bites could be reduced by 33% the first two years due to a reduction of unwanted loose animals in the community. Important, too, is that any new facility could be sized based upon this reduced population of animals, rather then the current number. This year we would also like to remodel the quarantine area to improve the sanitary conditions in this area as well as enhance employee safety. Plans for the remodel are on the way and a formal request for funding will be included in the final budget. Conclusion - Our Vision: Animal Services would like to see its program become an Animal Village where it would be a public education and training center. POLICY ISSUES: STAFFING IMPACT: The Department's past accomplishments and plans to seek funding so that the SCATE program becomes a reality will ensure the health and safety of our community and save costly future expenditures by reducing animal bites and unwanted pets. Reduction in euthanasia numbers will enhance efficient government and a universal dog license will necessitate multi-jurisdictional cooperation. The department will continue to model community leadership and deliver excellent customer service. There is no staffing impact associated with this agenda item.

THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF THE COUNTY OF STANISLAUS ACTION AGENDA SUMMARY DEPT: Animal Services BOARDAGENDA# 9:15 a.m. (D) April 28, 2009

THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF THE COUNTY OF STANISLAUS ACTION AGENDA SUMMARY DEPT: Animal Services BOARDAGENDA# 9:15 a.m. (D) April 28, 2009 Urgent AGENDA DATE CEO Concurs with Recommendation YES 415 Vote