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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAnimal Shelter Statistics - 05-2006 Orange County Animal Services 501 W. Franklin St, Suite 106, Chapel Hill, NC 27514 (919) 968-2287 Animal Control PO Box 8181 304 Revere Rd Hillsborough, NC 27278 (919) 245-2075 Robert A. Marotto, Director Animal Shelter 1081 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd Chapel Hill, NC 27514 (919) 967-7383 Monthly Report Orange County Animal Services May 2006 Departmental Highlights 1. A work team consisting of staff from the Animal Shelter and Animal Control worked together throughout the month to initiate Pet Harbor by June 1st. Pet Harbor is a website for records and photographs of animals at Orange County’s Animal Shelter. It is available from HLP, the vendor of the software (Chameleon) used by the Animal Services Department Pet Harbor is expected to more fully take advantage of the Animal Services Department website and thereby enhance the quality of the service that we provide to the public. It makes information available to people looking for a lost pet as well as people looking for a new pet. In improving access to such information, it is expected to have a positive affect on the overall placement of animals that come into the County’s Shelter. Our department work team has been involved in the various activities required for Pet Harbor implementation. These include work process changes in the intake of animals; training select shelter staff to take and upload digital photographs of animals; training all staff in the use of this component of the Chameleon software application; appropriate design of our Pet Harbor website; and the uploading and operation of related software such as “Knowledge Rocket.” 2. The Animal Services Advisory Board met on May 17th, 2006. At this meeting the Board set the meeting schedule for the remainder of the year; appointed new members to its two standing committees (the Dangerous Dog Appeal Hearing Committee and Adoptions Appeal Committee); discussed our Pet Harbor initiative; reviewed a new Animal Control brochure; and received select department updates. Also, the Animal Services Advisory Board considered a proposal that it and the Health Board jointly recommend to the school systems in the county that they develop some policies and guidelines for animals in schools. The following formulation of this proposal was unanimously accepted: “The Animal Services Advisory Board recommends that the Orange County and Chapel Hill and Carrboro School Systems adopt policies or guidelines regarding animals in school. Our joint recommendation with the Orange County Health Board is made with the understanding that there can be and are varied and substantial benefits to having animals in Orange County Animal Services – May 2006 Monthly Report – Page 2 schools or as part of school programs or activities provided that they are properly managed. More specifically, we recommend the adoption of policies or guidelines to ensure the health and safety of students (as well as others such as school personnel), and the humane care and appropriate husbandry of animals that students encounter in the course of their schooling experience. In conjunction with our recommendation, we are providing some pertinent materials—for example, “Animals in North Carolina Schools: Guidelines for Visiting and Residential Pets and Other Animals”—and offering to have appropriate staff from the Orange County Health Department and Animal Services Department assist in the adoption of policies or guidelines regarding animals in schools.” 3. A committee consisting of department staff and members of the Animal Services Advisory Board continued their review of the Foster Program at the Animal Shelter. This is part of a broader review of shelter programs that includes spay and neuter outreach, temperament testing and the transfer of animals to rescues and other animal organizations. As part of the discussion at the May Animal Services Advisory Board meeting, it was agreed that adoption activities would be included in this review process, given the close relationship of the adoption and other programs. It is expected that a complete packet of documents related to the foster program will be completed in the very near future. Upon completion, they will be scheduled for discussion at an upcoming meeting of the Animal Services Advisory Board. On the basis of that discussion, it is expected that these documents will be revised and completed, and then returned to the Animal Services Advisory Board for final review. 4. Three low-cost rabies vaccination clinics were held in May. At the clinic held at the Carrboro Century Center on Saturday, May 20th, a total of sixty-six (66) animals – forty-seven (47) dogs and nineteen (19) cats – were vaccinated. At the clinic held at Northern Human Services Center on Wednesday, May 24th, a total of forty-five (45) animals – thirty-nine (39) dogs and six (6) cats – received their rabies vaccinations. At the Hillsborough Courthouse on Thursday, May 25th, a total of fifty-six (56) animals – forty-four (44) dogs and twelve (12) cats – were vaccinated. To ensure the continuing availability of low-cost rabies vaccinations for County residents, a work team of staff planned a rabies vaccination special with the Hillsborough Veterinary Clinic for the month of June and additional clinics throughout the year. A complete list of clinics is available on the Animal Services website at http://www.co.orange.nc.us/animalservices/clinics.htm . Further information about these clinics is available by calling 245-2075 As has been the case in the past, rabies vaccinations will cost $5.00 (which must be paid in cash). Pet owners are asked to remember to bring their most recent vaccination record. Dogs must be on a leash and cats must be in a carrier; and pet owners are asked to keep nervous or unsettled animals in their car so that the vet can come to them. As of the end of May, finally, 2006 YTD there have been eleven (11) positive rabies tests—one (1) skunk, one (1) bat and nine (9) raccoons. In 2005, there were twenty-three (23) positive rabies tests in the County. All but five of those involved raccoons; the remainder included positive tests for two foxes, a beaver and a dog. Orange County Animal Services – May 2006 Monthly Report – Page 3 Animal Shelter Highlights The May figures for 2005 must be adjusted to remove the 66 Greyhounds which came into Orange County’s Animal Shelter in that month as a result of an animal cruelty case. This was an atypical event and inflated the figures, especially in the adopted/transferred category. Once this is done the comparisons between 2005 and 2006 reveal a very similar pattern to April. The number of animals adopted/transferred (140 for the month in both years) and reclaimed (46 in 2006 and 47 in 2005) are very similar. The only difference is that with the adjustment for the large-scale intake of Greyhounds there were 30 fewer animals taken in within May of 2006 than in May of 2005 (381 in 2006 and 411 in 2005). All of these factors translate into an improved placement rate and less euthanasia. More specifically, placement rates for May 2006 are slightly higher (49 percent gross and 53 percent adoptable) than for those in 2005 (45.5 percent gross and 49 percent adoptable). In this regard, it is also notable that the number of animals euthanized is higher in 2005 (159) than in 2006 (130). As with the figures for last month the change is due to the lower intake of animals, once again highlighting the importance of this figure. Sheltering Activity May 2006 Dogs Cats Others Total In Shelter Custody as of May 1 2006 (1) 92 53 0 145 + Total Admitted May 2006 182 189 10 381 Sheltered in May 2006 274 242 10 526 - Dispositions for May 2006 197 118 7 322 In Foster Homes 14 35 0 49 In Pet Stores 0 5 0 5 Within Shelter 63 84 3 150 Total Within Animal Services custody on June 1 2006 77 124 3 204 Returns: 2 dogs, 0 cat (1) Includes corrections to previous months Our sheltering statistics are also tracking the number of animals that are in the custody of our Animal Shelter Division. In the case of the Sheltering Activity Table, it is apparent that the total number of animals in our custody is broken into those animals that are in our custody at the shelter and those animals that are in our custody but either in foster homes or pet stores where they are available for adoption. As is apparent for these figures for the month of May, as of the final day of the month a significant number of animals (54 or 26 percent) were in our custody but not at the shelter; instead, they are in a foster home or pet stores. Orange County Animal Services – May 2006 Monthly Report – Page 4 Animal Dispositions Percent of Total Dogs Cats Others Total Dispositions Reclaimed 42 4 0 46 14.29% Adopted 50 54 3 107 33.23% Transfers (1) 19 13 1 33 10.25% Euthanized (2) 84 43 3 130 40.37% Died 0 1 0 1 0.31% Other 2 3 0 5 1.55% Totals 197 118 7 322 100.00% (1) Transfers are all to APS except 8 cats, 12 dogs, 1 ‘Other’ to rescue/pet store (2) 2 dogs, 2 cats surrendered for euthanasia or disposal; 24 cats (13%) feral As indicated in a previous monthly report, we will continue to track animals in foster and pet stores in this way in order to develop a richer picture of our shelter activities and services. We are doing so with the intent of developing more refined statistics of this kind – statistics for the overall number of animals in foster in a given month and ultimately the disposition of the animals that have been in foster homes. Program Report 1. Volunteering Volunteer Orientations: This orientation is a requirement of the Animal Shelter to protect the health and well-being of both volunteers and animals. A total of seventeen (17) people attended the single orientation offered this month. Policy Procedures/Animal Handling Training: This is advanced training for volunteers wishing to work with direct handling of the animals, for example, dog walking and socialization, and cat-room cleaning. It is mandatory for all volunteers who work with animals in the Animal Shelter. Twelve (12) people attended the session offered this month. Outreach Program: Always presented by volunteers, with occasional assistance from the Program Coordinator, this is a program where we set up a table at a public location, often with select shelter animals, and provide information on adoptions and animal care. This month three programs were held at Dubey’s, Weaver Street, and Phydeaux’s. Volunteers: Volunteers this month numbered 64 and volunteer hours totaled 350.75. As can be seen from the chart below, even with the seasonal decrease in volunteers we’re still maintaining a healthy margin above last year’s figures. Orange County Animal Services – May 2006 Monthly Report – Page 5 Volunteer Hours 0 100 200 300 400 500 600 Ja n Fe b M ar Apr M ay Ju n Ju l Aug Sep Oc t No v De c 2004 2005 2006 2. Special Events and Community Meetings Ongoing Orange County Schools Program – This month we closed our regular program aimed at Fourth Graders within Orange County Public Schools with a presentation to New Hope Elementary on May 10th. Once again, the Program Coordinator and an Animal Control Officer presented Orange County Animal Services’ role in the community, this time to 80 fourth-graders. As always, the response from the school was quite positive and we are welcome back next year. Outside of this program, on May 11th our Program Coordinator also made a presentation on pet care and the shelter to a class of 13 fourth and fifth grade children from the Friends’ School. The kids stuffed kong toys, assembled litter boxes, and went on a tour of the shelter. Hillsborough Health Fair – On May 10, the Program Coordinator staffed a booth at the Big Barn with information on health related topics for pets, such as heart worms, fleas and ticks, allergies to pets, spay/neuter, and rabies. Wag n’ Walk – On May 13th the Program Coordinator could be found at an Animal Services booth at the Wag n’ Walk dog walk sponsored by UNC Wellness Center. Proceeds from the entry fees went to the Animal Shelter. Rabies Clinic Outreach – During the rabies clinic at the Northern Human Services Center in Cedar Grove, held on May 24th, we also featured a booth on spay/neuter awareness, combining two of our primary concerns. Animal Control Highlights Animal Intake Data shows that we are continuing to impound a large number of unclaimed stray animals and a large number of animals released (or surrendered) by their owner. The presence of such animals in our community accounts in no small part for our need to have professional animal control services as well as an animal shelter. These respective divisions of the Animal Services Department minimize the adverse affects of stray and unwanted animals on our communities and provide for the welfare of what are sometimes referred to as “surplus” animal companions. Of course, animal intakes numbering hundreds each month underscores the importance of promoting pet owner responsibility in our communities and County. While responsible pet ownership begins with matters such as rabies vaccination and licensing, among other legal requirements, in fact, it is much broader. It includes socialization and training, no unwanted offspring, and the formation of a lifelong Orange County Animal Services – May 2006 Monthly Report – Page 6 human-animal bond. Thus our staff will necessarily continue to provide public education on responsible pet ownership and health and safety; perform spay/neuter outreach; and offer low-cost rabies vaccination clinics. Animal Intake Data Total Percent Animal Control From Public Incoming of Total Strays (1) Surrender Strays Surrender Chapel Hill 13 1 38 30 82 21.52% Carrboro 8 3 5 6 22 5.77% Hillsborough 18 8 1 3 30 7.87% Orange County 119 40 4 5 168 44.09% Night Deposit 0 0 38 15 53 13.91% Other County 0 0 9 17 26 6.82% Total 158 52 95 76 381 100.00% Strays253 66.40% Animal Control210 55.12% Surrenders128 33.60% Public171 44.88% (1) “Strays” under Animal Intake Data also includes impounded animals not surrendered to Animal Services With respect to rabies control—historically a core function of animal control—we have continued to see positive rabies tests based upon public reporting and our surveillance of possible exposures of people and/or their pets. In May, there were three positive rabies tests—two (2) for a raccoon and one (1) for a bat--bringing the total for 2006 to eleven (11). Bats as a rabies vector became as subject of concern because of positive tests in our own and Durham County during the month. In addition to a News and Observer feature article on the positive test in Orange County, a North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services media advisory—“Rabies: Public Health officials urge caution around bats, other wildlife”—prompted much media coverage of bats as a risk to the health of the public. Besides raccoons, bats are one host species of rabies in our own and other regions of the United States. Of the few cases of rabies in humans in our country in recent years, most have been traced to bats. A prime reason is that it can be difficult to detect bat bites, and thereby initiate the post-exposure prophylaxis necessary to protect an individual exposed to rabies. Our own public education activities thus stressed immediate reporting of any possible contact to animal control and/or public health authorities to ensure the health of all members of a household—human and pet alike. Similarly, staff continue to remind pet owners not only that their pets must be vaccinated and licensed but that a dog or cat with a current rabies vaccination must receive a booster shot within seventy-two (72) hours of any exposure to rabies. Unless an exposed pet with a current vaccination receives a booster shot within that time frame, the requirements of state law are the same as for an unvaccinated animal— namely, euthanasia or a six (6) month quarantine. Ensuring that this requirement is always met requires awareness and immediate action. In the event that their pet has possible contact with a raccoon or other wildlife animal, an owner should be sure to contact their Animal Control program right away. Also, if a possible exposure occurs outside regular hours of service, an Animal Control Officer should be reached right away through Orange County’s Emergency Communications (911). Orange County Animal Services – May 2006 Monthly Report – Page 7 As can be seen from the following table (Rabies Exposure Investigations), the three (3) positive tests came from the investigation of thirty-six (36) possible rabies exposures by our Animal Control Officers within the month. Usually, these are cases involving known or suspected contact between a domestic small animal such as a dog or a cat and a wild animal such as a raccoon, as well as whether there is an indirect contact between a human and pet member of a household in these situations. Rabies Exposure Investigations Dogs Cats Humans Other Total Bite Quarantines 15 7 0 0 22 Exposures Investigated 9 8 19 0 36 Tested Positive 0 0 0 3 3 Inconclusive 0 0 0 0 0 In addition to these kinds of “rabies exposure investigations,” our Animal Control Officers also are responsible for bite reports involving dogs and cats (as well as other animals) and a human victim. In these cases, it is a legal requirement and public health precaution that a dog or cat biting a human being be contained and observed for a period of ten (10) days—thereby ensuring that the bite victim was not exposed to the rabies virus. As can be seen from the Rabies Exposure Investigation Table, in the month of May there were twenty-two (22) such bite quarantines. Efforts to ensure current vaccination, for the welfare of pets and the people with whom they come into contact, are ongoing and activities in this area are captured by vaccination statistics compiled by our Animal Control Division. As is ordinarily the case, the majority of these vaccinations continue to be performed at veterinary establishments that service pet owners who reside in Orange County. Significantly, one-hundred and sixty-seven (167) animals were vaccinated at low-cost clinics sponsored by the Animal Services Department, in addition to the one hundred and thirty-five (135) animals vaccinated at our Animal Shelter prior to their adoption or recovery. Rabies Vaccinations within Orange County Dogs Cats Total Vaccinated at Shelter 98 37 135 Vaccinated at Vet Clinics 601 454 1055 Vaccinated at Rabies Clinics 130 37 167 Total Vaccinations 829 528 1357 Appendix Placement Rate: This is a gross statistic which relates the number of animals placed (adopted, reclaimed and transferred) to the number of animals admitted in a given time period. This is expressed as a percentage attained by dividing the number of animals placed by the number of animals admitted. Adoptable Placement Rate: To gain a clearer representation of the placement program, the animals brought to the shelter that are not part of the placement program are excluded, namely feral cats and owner requests for euthanasia. Since the number of feral cats in particular can vary a great deal from month to month, they can obscure the true effects of the program. The adoptable placement rate is obtained by subtracting the number of feral cats and owner requests for euthanasia from the total intake number before the number of placed animals is divided by it. This Orange County Animal Services – May 2006 Monthly Report – Page 8 yields a more refined statistic since the absent animals are generally not regarded as animals that can be placed in new homes. Percent of Total Dispositions, which are given in the statistical report, are different from the placement rates in that they do not relate to the number of animals brought into the shelter. They are, as the title implies, the total number of dispositions broken down by category. Their function is to demonstrate the accuracy of the statistics.