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Animal Services News
January 20, 2016
RABIES PREVENTION AND CONTROL UPDATE
• In 2015, fourteen low-cost rabies clinics were offered and 1014 vaccinations were
given
o 544 dogs and 470 cats received vaccinations (attached graph)
• Thirteen (13) low-cost rabies clinics will be offered in 2016
• In 2015, there were 10 laboratory confirmed rabies cases
o They consisted of 5 bats, 3 raccoons, 1 fox, and 1 skunk
• Recall that this is NOT all rabies cases but only ones confirmed by SLPH
• Ten rabies cases is the fewest cases in the last decade and a welcome relief from the
23 confirmed cases of 2014 (attached historical graph)
MISCELLANEOUS
• December adoptions totaled 132 and the live release rate was 92 percent
o 72 cats, 53 dogs, and 7 other kinds of animals were adopted
• Animal Services received a donation of $6,219 from The Animal Hospital of Carrboro
o The donation is dedicated in equal part to medical care and free-roaming cats
o The donation will be administered through the Community Giving Fund
• There’s a possibility we may be able to create an annual grant program for animal
welfare work in Orange County
o Prompted by an offer of a $5,000 donation in honor of Pat Sanford, former
Executive Director of the Animal Protection Society of Orange County
o Exploring whether an award program could be part of the outside agency
funding process and thus involve both staff and the ASAB
• Animal Services received a $3,944 ASPCA animal cruelty investigation grant for:
o A veterinary forensics kit available from Tritech Forensics
o Two (2) “bridge” cameras for crime scene and animal documentation
o Two (2) laser measuring devices and two (2) field binoculars
o Assorted materials for a crime scene center, e.g., canopy, lamps and lights, etc.
• In 2016, incidentally, North Carolina and Florida are key states for the ASPCA for
animal cruelty investigations and related support.
CHANGES IN COMMUNITY SPAY AND NEUTER
• Significant changes have occurred in the NC Spay Neuter Reimbursement Program
o Only a household income of less than 100 percent of the federal poverty level
qualifies
o All local veterinarians must have an opportunity to participate
• We have been involved in a transition as a result of these changes including
Animal Services Updates
January 20, 2016
Page 2
o Less reliance upon AnimalKind and more reliance upon SNAP-NC
• We are now reaching stability on the basis of the following
o AnimalKind will continue to provide no-pay vouchers for pet owners on public
assistance and with a household income of less than 200 percent
o AnimalKind will also distribute an Orange County brochure and continue to
identify households qualifying for reimbursement
• The income loss from reimbursement may be up to as much as $12,000 and additional
funds will thus be requested as part of the FY2016-2017 to sustain the program
FY2016 2017 BUDGET
• The budget process is now underway for the coming fiscal year and it has been
restructured to incorporate leadership teams, e.g, Public Safety and Community
Relations
• Animal Services will be requesting another FTE for an animal care technician to
alleviate staffing challenges and staff stress
• Animal Services will also be requesting another vehicle with an “animal-mobile” unit
with heating and air conditioning, among other smaller items
• No new fees except for adjustments to cover customary practices (e.g., lower fees for
licensing for puppies and kittens) are foreseen at this time.
• There will be some revenue implications of the microchipping required by the Unified
Animal Ordinance(UAO) after its adoption
• Other fee changes arising from the adoption of the UAO include the differential as well
as tiered recovery schedule for reproductive versus intact animals and the (refundable)
sterilization deposit
Prepared by Bob Marotto,
Animal Services Director