Licensing Programs to Increase Revenue Presented by: Allan Drusys, DVM, MVPHMgt: Chief Veterinarian, Riverside County Department of Animal Services Ryan Drabek: Deputy Director, LA County Department of Animal Care and Control
Programs
Dog License Amnesty Program 45 Day Period Heavily Promoted Various Media (TV, Print, Radio) All Contract Cities Promoted City Cable Channels City Websites Icons linked directly to OC Animal Care s online licensing page Utility Bills Mailers to all owners currently delinquent SCVMA Provided over 300 Member Veterinarians with promotional materials Outcome OC Animal Care License Incentive Programs 27,817 licenses sold in 45 days resulting in $814,296 in total revenue An increase of 7,133 over the same timeframe in the previous year A total of $57,970 in fee waivers
Riverside County Programs Integrated Canine Licensing Program Administrative Citations WebLicensing Spay/Neuter Ordinance Mandatory Microchipping Ordinance
OC Animal Care License Incentive Programs OC Animal Care OC Animal Care 561 The City Drive Orange, CA 92868 (714) 935-6848 Take Me Home Program Stray animal is Returned to Owner for Free License must be current Animal must be redeemed within 24 hours of impoundment No previous history of impoundment Incentivize licensing further than rabies control Estimated fee waivers far below license increases Promotion of the program is key OC Community Resources
Riverside County License Incentive Programs Amnesty Get out of Jail Free Free Vaccination Clinics Low Cost Vaccination, Spay/Neuter and Microchip Services
Other programs/incentives Online Pet Licensing Convenience Licensing at Vaccination and Spay/neuter clinics Licensing at Adoption Events Promoting Licensing alongside Microchip and ID awareness programs Healthy Pet Zones Vac Cert data entry
Process and Enforcement
OC Animal Care Licensing Process & Enforcement Dog Licensing Process In desperate need of reform Little to no follow up on delinquent licenses No collections efforts Field canvassing was enforcement based Customer service focus Educates on other issues Coyotes, increased dog bites, etc. More effective mapping Works with other City agencies to find target areas with higher animal populations Little to no coordination with contract cities, veterinarians, or local media Focused on 3 main objectives Capture non-licensed & delinquent licenses up to the Statute of Limitations (4 years back) Explore ways to find unlicensed dogs Vaccination Certificates Licensing Incentive programs Convenience of Licensing (Website, Telephone, Window at shelter, Canvassing) Ensure contact is made to advise of delinquency Coordinate database research with printing company for mailers Much of this cost was recovered by respondents
OC Animal Care Licensing Process & Enforcement Dog Licensing Process cont. 3 main objectives cont. Maintain and retain currently licensed animals Ensure mailers are clear regarding what is owed, what is needed (rabies vaccination, spay/neuter certificate), and provides contact information for questions Provide incentives for maintaining a current license Avoidance of Late Fees, Take Me Home programs, etc. Provide adequate collections efforts for those that choose to remain delinquent Thorough review of notice process Use of County Treasurer-Tax Collector File Small Claims on anything owed over $500 Affects credit rating for those continuing to be delinquent Uncollected delinquent licenses are returned for Field Services follow up In 3 years, has taken our compliance rate from 20%-30% up to approximately 45%+ Revenues continue to increase as licensing efforts increase
What is Mightier The Pen or the Sword?
Riverside County Licensing Process & Enforcement Integration.License Inspectors, Chameleon, Office Assistants, Phone Room, Franchise Tax Board, and yes Field Services Post and Go IPhones and WebChameleon Administrative Citations: an appropriate method of enforcement for violations as authorized by California Government Code Section 53069.4 Data Entry and Scrubbing Automated snail-mail renewal reminders Automated Admin Citation mailings Dedicated Staff for the Interagency Intercept Program
SPAY/NEUTER ORDINANCE
Riverside County Licensing Process & Enforcement
Canvassing
OC Animal Care License Canvassing Canvassing Change in Philosophy Started as an enforcement based program Canvassers carried citation booklets Confrontational, but successful Changed Uniform Customer Service approach Leave enforcement to the back end of the program Utilize Canvassers for Public Outreach Work in teams for safety and efficiency Offer higher and lower levels of service for Contract Cities
RCDAS License Canvassing Canvassing change in philosophy From donuts to IPhones Post and Go Personal Protective Gear Educating with a sword/hammer/gun The four Uns Write a fix-it-ticket and offer solutions with a smile Low hanging fruit Let s make a deal aka working with people
RCDAS License Canvassing; the problems Spanish language proficiency Office assistants must be knowledgeable and available The Elected must have political will and courage, not amnesia or righteous indignation That pesky 4 th Amendment and cell phone cameras Amnesty Low cost vaccination and spay/neuter availability Sticker shock and associated hysteria The cost of technology Gated Communities/HOA s Untruths and rumor control
City of Riverside License Revenue $900,000.00 $800,000.00 $700,000.00 $600,000.00 $500,000.00 $400,000.00 $300,000.00 $200,000.00 $100,000.00 $- 2012 2013 2014
25,000 City of Riverside: Gender of Dog Licenses Sold 20,000 15,000 10,000 Altered Intact 5,000-2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014
City of Riverside Licenses in effect on December 31, 2014 31,318 Altered 2,190 Intact