Animal Control Budget Unit 2760 Agency Director: David Price III, Appointed Department Head: Guy Shaw, Appointed SUMMARY OF EXPENDITURES AND REVENUES APPROPRIATIONS: Salaries and Benefits Services and Supplies TOTAL EXPENDITURES REVENUES: Licenses and Permits Fines and Forfeitures Intergovernmental Charges for Services Miscellaneous TOTAL NET REVENUES NET GENERAL FUND COST FY 2007-08 Actual FY 2008-09 FY 2009-10 Approved Budget Estimated Actual Department Requested CAO Recommended Incr/(Decr) From Budget $3,253,322 $3,173,846 $3,228,021 $3,014,297 $3,194,623 $20,777 1,507,120 1,669,158 1,750,265 1,659,344 1,659,344 (9,814) $4,760,442 $4,843,004 $4,978,286 $4,673,641 $4,853,967 $10,963 $348,009 $460,000 $379,742 $430,000 $430,000 ($30,000) 890 6,000 3,500 6,000 6,000 0 1,322,551 979,954 1,111,347 902,463 1,185,194 205,240 518,462 830,050 715,244 810,050 735,050 (95,000) 445 5,250 17,146 250 250 (5,000) $2,190,357 $2,281,254 $2,226,979 $2,148,763 $2,356,494 $75,240 $2,570,085 $2,561,750 $2,751,307 $2,524,878 $2,497,473 ($64,277) Authorized Positions: Funded Positions: 52 53 53 39 48 (5) 52 49 50 39 45 (4) OPERATIONAL SUMMARY Mission: Fundamental Functions & Responsibilities: The Mission of Kern County Animal Control is to protect and care for the citizens and animals of Kern County through the promotion, via example and education, of humane, safe and sane treatment of animals; to encourage adoption of the community s homeless animals; and to assist in the reunification of lost animals with their owners. PROGRAM DISCUSSION The Animal Control Department provides animal control services in the County unincorporated area and operates animal shelter facilities in Bakersfield, Mojave, and Lake Isabella. The department also contracts for holding kennels in Ridgecrest. The County provides enforcement and shelter services to the City of Tehachapi and shelter Licensing dogs Redeeming dogs with their owners Adopting dogs and cats into new homes Providing daily care to impounded animals (food, cleaning, shelter) Impounding lost, stray, dangerous, sick, injured, dead dogs and cats Issuing citations for violation of animal care regulations Investigation and prosecution of animal abuse cases services to the cities of Arvin and Bakersfield via contract. Animal Control Officers enforce State laws and County ordinances pertaining to animal licensing, vaccination, and quarantine. The recommended funding level allows the department to function at a minimum service level. The primary activity of the department is to provide local rabies control in County of Kern 2009-10 Recommended Budget 143
accordance with the Health and Safety Code. The rabies control program includes requirements for animal licensing, rabies vaccinations, bite reporting and animal quarantine, a shelter system, and stray animal control. The department will also continue to provide low-cost rabies vaccination clinics, investigate animal cruelty and abuse complaints, provide dead animal removal and disposal, conduct public education programs, and conduct low-cost spay and neuter activities. The recommended budget will require staffing reductions resulting in possible delays to complaints received from the public and a reduction in enforcement activities such as early morning school zone sweeps. Two positions will be deleted as discussed below, and all extra help positions have already been eliminated. The ability to maintain clean and sanitary kennel conditions may also be hampered. A reduction in the number of hours the Bakersfield and Mojave shelters are open to the public is being explored, however a decrease in staffing at the shelters is limited by the fact that animals housed in the shelter need care seven days a week. POSITIONS DISCUSSION The recommended budget includes the deletion of one Animal Services Division Chief, at an annual cost savings of $115,000; and four Animal Care Worker positions, at an annual cost savings of $220,000. Two of the position deletions will result in staff layoffs. DIRECTOR S DISCUSSION the shelters, a record number of animals also have been released from the shelters. Adoptions, transfers, rescues and redemptions have all increased and the euthanasia rate has decreased. The department participated in numerous incentive programs increasing the adoptions of cats and dogs and also partnered with the AngelDog Foundation to bring a mobile spay/neuter van to the Bakersfield shelter one day a week to provide a discounted spay/neuter program. The department also implemented a low-income spay/neuter voucher program. Close to 1,000 spay/neuter vouchers were issued to qualified low-income residents for $20 each. Over 85% of the vouchers were redeemed. A pilot Public Education and Enforcement Team (PEET) was implemented for a three-month trial period. The team was successful in contacting pet owners with unlicensed dogs and educating them on the legal requirement to license their dogs. While the team was successful in increasing the number of animals licensed, the limited number of staff will not allow for the continuation of the team. The department was successful in prosecuting three animal hoarders on felony animal cruelty counts. Animal Control Officers also investigated numerous unsanitary and animal cruelty cases that resulted in the saving of many animals lives. The department is working on becoming more efficient by utilizing newer technology that is available to the department at no or low cost. The use of this technology will not only decrease labor costs but will increase revenues. The department has been very busy in FY 2008-09. While a record number of animals have been brought into County of Kern 2009-10 Recommended Budget 144
GOALS AND PERFORMANCE MEASURES Performance Measure #1: Percent change in the number of impounded species. 9.0% increase 8.0% increase N/A <= 8.0% increase 26,934 29,296 31,670 22,513 32,848 Impounds are the animals brought into the shelter by Animal Control Officers and the public. Impounds will increase as a result of County population growth. Impounds will also increase as long as residents do not exercise responsible pet ownership or spay/neuter their pets. It is inevitable that impounds will increase because of population growth. A decrease in the exponential growth of impounds is a measure of a successful public awareness, education and enforcement program. If impounds were to continue straight line, impounds would be over the desired goal for FY 2008-09. Population growth, housing foreclosures, and the suppressed economy all contribute to owners losing sight of responsible pet ownership. Education programs have continued in the schools and will have a large presence in libraries this summer and a larger presence in schools next year. The Animal Control Commission s activities has sparked an increased awareness in the spay/neuter issue. Rabies clinics and informational canvassing will increase in frequency when staffing is complete. It is anticipated each of these activities will contribute to a decrease in impounds. County of Kern 2009-10 Recommended Budget 145
Performance Measure #2: Percent change in the number of impounded animals that are euthanized. 4% increase N/A 16,545 = 61% of 19,105= 65% of < = 65% intakes 13,995 = 62% of intakes intakes 20,585 intakes <= 62% intakes Unadoptable animals are those that are not completely socialized to humans, other animals, or both. Animals that are too sick or injured to be rehabilitated and animals that are too young are also unadoptable. Euthanasia is decreased when impounds decrease and/or when there is an increased number of adoptable animals and animals returned home. Through education and enforcement impounds will decrease. Through an increased awareness by the public that shelter animals are adoptable, that lost animals can be located at the shelter, adoptions and redemptions will increase. A foster program, provision of humane care in a home setting, will allow for animals that would have been euthanized to be rehabilitated and ultimately adopted. The euthanasia rate is staying constant. The monthly rate has decreased to 50% January 2009 and 49% February 2009 due to an increase in adoptions, rescues and transfers. Impounds continue to increase. Education and awareness continue to be strong and enforcement has increased. The foster program to be introduced in June will hopefully decrease the number of sick, injured and too young animals euthanized. The importance of spay/neuter must be emphasized in the field and in the classroom. Performance Measure #3: Percent change in the number of impounded animals that are returned to owner, adopted, or rescued and transferred. FY 2006-2007 Actual Results FY 2007-2008 Actual Results FY 2008-2009 Adopted Goal FY 2008-2009 Mid-year Results Proposed Goal 7,102 25% increase 8,342 10% increase 9,176 6,840 8% 9,910 This measures the number of animals released from the shelter alive. The four live release types are adoption, return to owner, rescue, and transfer. The ideal outcome for animals impounded is live release. An increase in these numbers indicates a successful public awareness campaign, strong enforcement, and a dedicated foster program. Mid-year results shows that we are slightly under goal. Summer months generally see an increase in adoptions. Education activities have included participation in Spay Day USA, several themed press releases on responsible pet ownership, and increased awareness through Commission activities. Enforcement activities have included a full compliment of field staff, and a pilot PEET program was conducted February April. The foster program was implemented in June. County of Kern 2009-10 Recommended Budget 146
Performance Measure #4: Number of people directly reached through Animal Control s public education and outreach programs. FY 2009-20010 Exact unknown but < 500 2,133 2,000 3,037 2,100 One of the main functions of Animal Control is to make the citizenry aware of the importance of responsible pet ownership. This indicator is a direct measure of our presence in the community through education and outreach programs. The more people of all ages we reach and teach the message of responsible pet ownership, the importance of spay/neuter, compliance with animal regulations, and the role of the community s shelter in helping lost and unwanted animals, the fewer animals will arrive to the shelter facing an uncertain future. Our education and outreach program conducted 23 presentations between July and December 2008, which has exceeded the adopted goal of participants by 894. Ten presentations are scheduled between March and June 2009 with an anticipated participation of 1,000 persons. FY 2008-09 has been the most visible year for Animal Control in terms of community programs. FY 2009-10 proposed goal is decreased due to anticipated budget cuts that will not allow the department to participate at the Kern County Fair. Performance Measure #5: Number of vaccination and licensing infractions issued. FY 2009-20010 796 770 1,070 613 1,150 This indicator measures the strength of the enforcement of the most basic of all animal control regulations, mandatory rabies vaccination and licensing. It is, therefore, an indicator of our ability to protect the citizens and animals in Kern from a rabies outbreak. Rabies vaccination and licensing is mandated in California because of the prevalence of rabies. Protecting the animals and citizens of Kern requires that the rabies and licensing laws be strictly adhered to. Although a citation is no guarantee the animal owner will follow through with vaccination and license, it will increase the likelihood of follow through. For FY 2006-07, 796 citations were issued representing approximately 66 citations each for of 12 officers. For the majority of FY 2007-08, there have been 12 officers with an increase to 15 officers in mid-april. The goal for FY 2008-09 is within reach based on mid-year numbers. Officers are responding to more calls, thus there is the opportunity for increased citations to be issued. That occurring, combined with a total of 15 officers for upcoming FY 2009-10, makes the proposed goal achievable. Adoption, redemption, and licensing fees, and General Fund. County of Kern 2009-10 Recommended Budget 147
Performance Measure #6: Percent change in the number of licensed dogs. 8.0% decrease 8.0% increase N/A 5.0% increase Licenses issued Licenses issued Licenses issued Licenses issued Licenses issued 22,982 21,215 22,964 17,918 24,112 This is a direct measurement of how many persons are compliant with the law to vaccinate and license their dog(s). It is a measure of the success of Animal Control enforcement in the field and education in the community. Animal Control must educate and enforce. The basis of existence of animal control agencies is rabies control. Therefore, vaccination and license education and enforcement are the cruxes of an animal control program. Increased licensure in the Kern community will be a reflection of Animal Control s ability to carry out its primary responsibility. The department is on target with the number of licenses sold that expire during this fiscal year. There has been a pilot PEET program, notices in most of the local newspapers, every animal redeemed is vaccinated and licensed, and field staff is continuously distributing clinic fliers in the field. The department anticipates purchasing the on-line licensing portion of its animal control software and that capability will assist in increase licensing. Performance Measure #7: The number of misdemeanor and felony cases related to animal neglect and abuse that are filed with the District Attorney. 39 42 87 24 40 This goal measures the department s ability to protect and care of our County s animals. An increased number of cases filed with the District Attorney indicate field staff is more astute and effective in responding to and investigating reports of animal abuse and neglect. Animal Control is the primary agency charged with conducting animal abuse and neglect investigations. It is essential that suspected cases be investigated and prosecuted when warranted. Those guilty cannot be allowed to continue or to pass on the unacceptable, illegal behavior. Successful prosecution of abuse/neglect cases means Animal Control is fulfilling its role to protect the animals of Kern County. The department is not on track to meet the FY 2008-09 goal. There was an increase in filings in FY 2007-08, at which time officers were not hesitating to file abuse and neglect cases. One felony case filed late FY 2006-07, the biggest felony case since the Shaw horse case, and one felony case filed in FY 2007-08 have been tied up in court. Both cases have cost the department over $220,000. Officers are becoming increasing confident in their investigation and report writing skills and this has benefited our cause with the Courts. While the District Attorney s office and the judges are starting to take animal abuse cases seriously and cases that were often not accepted for filing at the District Attorney or in court dismissed in the furtherance of justice are now being set for hearings. The department has opted to work with borderline cases to help limit the number of animals that would have to be seized and to achieve compliance without the extreme costs associated with a court case. County of Kern 2009-10 Recommended Budget 148
Performance Measure #8: Number of dispatched calls with an outcome. 18,775 20,988 18,500 17,703 25,100 This indicator measures the ability of Animal Control to respond and resolve the public s calls for assistance. Animal Control is to protect the animals and citizens of Kern County. The primary mode of accomplishing this function is through response to and successful resolution of animal-related problems in the community. A consistent rate of dispatched calls with an actual resolution demonstrates Animal Control s ability to protect animals and people. A straight line projection would indicate a higher than anticipated dispatch with outcome rate. However, the first half of the fiscal year is only half of the summer. The number of calls decreases during the winter and increases during summer months. Thus, the second half of the fiscal year will probably see a significant increase in dispatched calls with an outcome, which would exceed the total adopted goal. County of Kern 2009-10 Recommended Budget 149