A Study of Animal A Study of Animal Overpopulation Crisis in Overpopulation Crisis in Pulaski County - July, 2000.Pulaski County - July, 2000.

County of Pulaski, July 12, 2000County of Pulaski, July 12, 2000prepared by Tom Combithsprepared by Tom Combiths

IntroductionIntroduction

• The Humane Society of the United States estimates:

• approximately 12 million animals are taken to shelters each year

• 6 to 8 million of these pets will not find a new home

• People unaware of the problem, often allow their own pets to add to the overpopulation crisis

Introduction (cont.):Introduction (cont.):

•In 1999 Pulaski County Animal Control:–Picked up and sheltered over 1,900 animals;

– Of an average 158 per month, less than half of these animals found new homes.

–During the same period the three county animal control officers responded to over 3,000 animal complaints.

•one pair of dogs and their offspring could result in 62,000 dogs in only six years

•a pair of cats and their offspring could result in 420,000 cats in six years.

Introduction (cont.):Introduction (cont.):

Background of StudyBackground of Study

• The present animal shelter was built in about 1976 and is 1,200 sq. ft.large. It has been operating at capacity for over 5 years.

• Improvements have been made to the shelter in the past five years, including:

– climate control– two private offices– telecommunications– waste disposal– small animal cages– epoxy sealing over concrete– quarantine areas– electrical upgrades– record keeping technology

SHELTER MAINTENANCE SHELTER MAINTENANCE PROBLEMS INCLUDE:PROBLEMS INCLUDE:

• adequate animal adequate animal holding space,holding space,

• cracking concrete,cracking concrete,

• rusting metal rusting metal doors,doors,

• aging roof,aging roof,

• termite damage,termite damage,

• rotting wood,rotting wood,

• lack of storage space,lack of storage space,

• inadequate airflow,inadequate airflow,

• noise abatement,noise abatement,

• lack of insulationlack of insulation

• labor intensive labor intensive maintenancemaintenance

Animal Control Staffing Animal Control Staffing has more than doubled has more than doubled over the past five years, over the past five years, including:including:

•Supervision by the Sheriff and Supervision by the Sheriff and Chief DeputyChief Deputy

•increase from 2 to 3 animal increase from 2 to 3 animal control officerscontrol officers

•addition of support staff for addition of support staff for public contact and public contact and administrationadministration

Maintenance concernsMaintenance concerns

• Staff must choose between adequate Staff must choose between adequate shelter maintenance and patrolling shelter maintenance and patrolling to assist citizens or respond to calls.to assist citizens or respond to calls.

• Frequent cleaning of the floor of with Frequent cleaning of the floor of with water leads to cracks that can water leads to cracks that can harbor bacteria.harbor bacteria.

Animal population in the County is above the national average:

•due in large part to the fact the county is rural in nature, and

•households tend to keep multiple pets.

Current cost of County animal control services is high:

• approximately $150,000 annually,

• more than county support of rescue squads

• more than county support of the Office on Youth.

A sterilization program for claimed and adopted animals has been in place for 10 years. With the recent addition of a part-time staff person the shelter has been able able to put more effort into sterilization enforcement. More aggressive sterilization efforts would require additional resources.

Shelters are not the source of excessive euthanasia of animals. Irresponsible pet owners have caused the crisis of too many unwanted pets.Note: An altered pet is a healthier ,more content, gentle and affectionate pet. (80% of pets hit by cars are un-neutered males)

EXPENSE• Expense to upgrade shelter, vehicles

& equipment has been high.

• There has been no financial support from the towns for these services.

• Annual dog license revenue collected has been less than $20,000 less than 15% of the operating costs.

Needs/Issues Related to County Animal Control

• State legislation can impose civil penalties for poor shelter conditions (HB 1514 effective 07/01/01).

• Building rehabilitation efforts (e.g. electrical upgrades,office additions,plumbing,epoxy cover, HVAC,etc.) have resulted in marginal improvements due to the age and and type of construction of the current facility.

Needs/Issues (cont.)• Evaluating staffing needs for workload

management.

• Controlling airborne illnesses due to large number of unvaccinated strays brought to facility.

• Recovering costs operations at shelter through fees.

• Enhancing public perception of animal shelter facility.

• Encouraging volunteer contribution and private giving.

• Balancing increased demands on the animal control officers due to the dog control ordinance and the rise of vicious dogs(e.g. chows,pit bulls,rotwillers, etc..) against adequate shelter maintenance.

• Providing adequate kennels to hold dogs with high potential for adoption.

Needs/Issues (cont.)

Capital Investment Alternatives

• Alternative 1: Remodel existing shelter(appox. 1,200sq.ft.) and expand facility and operations on current site.

– Shelter expansion would include: a minimum of 16 kennel runs,reception/adoption/education (multi-purpose) room, staff offices,storage and corridor.

• Alternative 2: Build a new, more publicly visible and accessible shelter.

Remodel / Expand - advantages

• County already owns site,

• public is knowledgeable of location,

• public sewer is available,

• site is central to county-wide accessibility,

• animal noise does not create a neighborhood nuisance,

• ample security is provided for human/animal safety

• Additional County resources are next door in the event of an emergency.

• Existing shelter could be used for:

– storage,

– quarantine,

– isolation units,

– euthanasia,

– peak occupancy

– county garage overflow needs.

Remodel:Remodel:Material Costs Estimates

• Non-porous flooring $3,000

• Existing repairs $3,000

• HVAC repairs $1,000

• Ventilation/Air Purification $2,500

• Cleaning System $3,000

• Noise Control $3,000

• Euthanasia Chamber $200

• Storage $4,000

• Kennel Equipment(misc.) $3,000

• Labor $25,000

Total: $47,700

Expansion:

• 2,100 sq.ft. @ $65/sq.ft. = 2,100 sq.ft. @ $65/sq.ft. = $136,500 for addition at $136,500 for addition at same location of modular same location of modular construction.construction.

• Total Cost of Onsite Total Cost of Onsite Expansion: $184,200Expansion: $184,200

Alternative 2: Build

• (minimum 16 kennel) shelter.

• modern/accessible shelter

• increase adoption of pets

• reduce unnecessary euthanasia

• increase shelter cleanliness

• reduce risk of illness/disease

• reduce veterinarian expenses

• increase staff productivity

• increase operating efficiencies.

New shelter - advantages

New shelter cost:New shelter cost:

•3,100 sq.ft. @ $65/sq.ft.=$201,500

Recommendations:• Set a five-year time period to make

improvements.

• Appoint a citizens advisory committee to assist with a study of an appropriate shelter upgrade.

• Seek the input and financial support of all stakeholders in an improved animal shelter.

• Match the shelter design to an effective animal control staffing and management program.

Ideas and Resources• Cooperative relationship with surrounding jurisdictions

• “Special animal adoption events in the park”

• Cost Recovery on reclaimed and adopted pets

• “One stop” licensing clinics with vaccination/spay/neuter

• Foundation/charity grant programs

• Endowment and/or planned giving trust fund for capital expenditures

• Assistance from the Virginia/Maryland School of Veterinary Medicine at Va. Tech

• Privatization

better and at least cost?

Five Additional Regional Strategies to Pet Overpopulation:

Educate and Inform

Promote Spaying and Neutering

Encourage stable homes for unwanted pets

Increase adoption rates for companion animals

Provide incentives and enforcement