HomeMy WebLinkAboutSpay Neuter Resolution and Agenda Abstract 1
ORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: February 21, 2017
Action Agenda
Item No.
SUBJECT: Resolution Acknowledging February 28, 2017, as Spay Neuter Day USA in
Orange County, North Carolina
DEPARTMENT: Animal Services PUBLIC HEARING: No
ATTACHMENT(S):
Spay Neuter Day Resolution
2016 Annual Community Spay/Neuter Report
INFORMATION CONTACT:
Bob Marotto, Director, Animal Services 968-2287
Sarah Fallin, Program Coordinator, Animal Services,
942-7387, ext. 224
Maureane Hoffman, Chair, Animal Services
Advisory Board, 919-
PURPOSE: To request that the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) officially resolve that
February 28, 2017 is “Spay Neuter Day USA” in Orange County.
BACKGROUND: Animal Services staff and the Animal Services Advisory Board (ASAB) recommend
that the BOCC adopt a resolution making February 28, 2017, “Spay Neuter Day USA” in Orange
County. The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) has nationally designated the last
Tuesday of each February as “International Spay Day.”
In Orange County, the issue of pet overpopulation is a priority. Animal Services staff and the ASAB
prepared a five-year strategic plan on the basis of best practices in the field of animal welfare and
public policy: Managing Pet Overpopulation: A Strategic Plan for Orange County, North
Carolina. Fundamental to this plan is targeting spays and neuters in our county to decrease the rate
of reproduction of dogs and cats, thereby containing the number of animals that must be sheltered
and the costs of caring for those animals.
The final stage of this plan addresses the presence of and concerns raised by free-roaming cats in
Orange County. Accordingly, staff and the ASAB recently prepared a plan called Managing Free-
Roaming Cats in Orange County, North Carolina. A spay neuter campaign for sterilizing free-
roaming cats will be kicked off in the coming years.
Significant developments for calendar year 2016 include:
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• Spaying and neutering a total of 327 cats and dogs on the basis of the partnership between
Animal Services and AnimalKind;
• Spaying and neutering 303 dogs and cats belonging to clients of Orange County’s Department
of Social Service (DSS) on a “no pay” basis;
• Helping to reducing the number of animals admitted to Orange County’s Animal Services
Center to fewer than 3000 in 2016 as well as 2015.
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Animal Services is again also working with Spay Neuter Assistance Program of North Carolina to
offer four or more Spay Neuter Days each year. Up to 30 cats and dogs from county households
receiving public assistance can be spayed or neutered at each of these events. The first of these
events is being held on February 28 in conjunction with Spay Neuter Day USA.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: The resolution has no financial impact. Events and outreach done in
conjunction with the February 28 Spay Neuter Day involve appropriated funds in the County’s
Community Spay and Neuter Fund. The FY1718 operating budget for the Community Spay and
Neuter Fund is $64,600 and there is a fund balance of approximately $25,943.76. These funds
primarily come from the $20 differential cost for licenses for a reproductive cat or dog versus a
spayed or neutered cat or dog, combined with reimbursement from the North Carolina Spay Neuter
Reimbursement Program, and significant donations from the public.
RECOMMENDATION: The Manager recommends the Board adopt the proposed resolution and
authorize the Chair to sign the resolution.
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Orange County Board of County Commissioners
SPAY NEUTER DAY USA RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, cats and dogs provide companionship to and share the homes of thousands of
individuals in Orange County; and
WHEREAS, the problem of pet overpopulation costs the taxpayers of Orange County hundreds of
thousands of dollars annually through animal control and sheltering programs aimed at coping with
unwanted and homeless cats and dogs; and
WHEREAS, humane societies and shelters throughout the country have to euthanize approximately
four million cats and dogs each year, although many of them are healthy and adoptable, due to the
lack of critical resources such as money, space, and good adoptive homes; and
WHEREAS, the Animal Services Advisory Board and the Animal Services Department have made
correcting pet overpopulation a priority, and prepared Managing Pet Overpopulation: A Strategic
Plan for Orange County, North Carolina and Managing Free-Roaming Cats in Orange County,
North Carolina; and
WHEREAS, spaying and neutering cats and dogs, among other animal companions, has been
shown to drastically reduce overpopulation; and
WHEREAS, Animal Services has partnered with AnimalKind, the Department of Social Services, and
Spay Neuter Assistance Program of North Carolina to offer “no cost” spay and neuter to households
who are economically disadvantaged or who receive public assistance; and
WHEREAS, veterinarians, animal care and control organizations, national and local animal welfare
organizations, and private citizens have joined together again this year to advocate and support the
spaying and neutering of companion animals on “Spay Day USA 2017.”
Now, therefore be it RESOLVED by Orange County that February 28, 2017, is declared “Spay Neuter
Day USA.” The Board of County Commissioners calls upon the people of the County to observe the
day by having their own cats or dogs spayed or neutered or by sponsoring the spaying or neutering
of another person’s cat or dog.
THIS THE 21th DAY OF FEBRUARY, 2017.
_________________________________________
Mark Dorosin - CHAIR
ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS