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Animal Services News
February 17, 2016
SELECT SHELTERING STATS
• January adoptions totaled only 92 but the live release rate was 95 percent
o 53 cats, 34 dogs and 5 animals of other kinds were adopted
o 18 animals were transferred to rescue groups for final placement
o Winter weather was a factor in in our overall adoptions
• A snapshot of 2015 statistics (an agenda item for the March ASAB meeting)
o Adoptions totaled 1,593 pets (the second highest in our history) and the live
release rate was over 80 percent.
o Admissions numbered 2,967 (the second consecutive year they have been
under 3000).
o A reduction of ~25% in the number of animal euthanized (n=842) when
compared to the average of the 5 preceding years
2016 RABIES COMPENDIUM
• Significant changes are made in the forthcoming 2016 Compendium of Rabies on the
basis of recent scientific research
o Animals that have a documented past rabies vaccination, even if it is expired,
will be able to receive a booster vaccination instead of being euthanized or
quarantined;
o Animals that have never been vaccinated or do not have a documented vaccine
will be required to be euthanized or quarantined, but the quarantine time has
been reduced to four (4) months instead of the previous requirement of six (6).
• Effective immediately, and in coordination with Orange County’s Health Director, we
are changing our protocols and requirements for pets exposed to rabies
• We are communicating these changes to area (specifically, Orange County) veterinary
clinics as well as changing our outreach and educational materials to reflect these
significant changes.
• Attached is a recent providing more detailed information the recommendations and
the underlying research.
MISCELLANEOUS
• Our veterinary health care staff and consulting veterinarian are helping care for the
animals seized by the ASPCA from the Haven-Friends for Life in Hoke county
o Presently, they are scheduled for day deployments to care for the animals
o Dr. Sheppard is helping to create a surgical schedule and anesthetic protocols
for spays and neuters (once they become possible to do).
Animal Services Updates
February 17, 2016
Page 2
o Health Care Technicians may continue to be deployed on a daily basis once the
spay and neuter and dental procedures commence
• Upcoming implementation effective March 1 of Unified Animal Ordinance (UAO)
o The Chapel Hill Town Council will consider approving the UAO on February 22
o Staff training is underway and internal changes are being identified and
implemented.
o A media advisory has been issued and more information will be forthcoming
o Some parts of the plan for managing pet overpopulation become effective as
components of the UAO including
A differential recovery rate for reproductive and sterilized animals
A refundable sterilization deposit for animals redeemed 3 or more times
A microchip requirement for all recovered stray animals
• Internships for an animal sheltering assistant and veterinary health care assistant are
being created and advertised at the NCSU School of Veterinary Medicine and other
educational institutions in the area.
COMMUNITY SPAY AND NEUTER PROGRAM
• The BOCC adopted a resolution declaring February 23, 2016, as Spay Neuter Day in
Orange County at its meeting last night
• Twenty six (26) dogs and cats are scheduled for a a Spay Neuter event we are doing on
February 24 on site and coordination with Spay Neuter Assistance Patrol—North
Carolina
• Our annual report for 2015 is now available and posted on line and shows
o 390 cats and dog were spayed and neutered on the basis of the partnership
between Animal Services and AnimalKind and Spay Neuter Assistance Patrol—
North Carolina.
o All but seven (7) belonged to clients of the Department of Social Service (DSS)
o Targeted spay and neuter continues to help reduce the number of admissions,
from an annual average of 3323 for the period 2010-2014 and 4315 for the
period 2005-2009.
o Challenges remain in stabilizing and increasing the number of targeted spays
and neuters and recruiting households that qualify because income is less than
200 percent of the federal poverty level.
• 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
Prepared by Bob Marotto,
Animal Services Director