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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 04-07-20; 8-e - Resolution Regarding Orange County Becoming a Socially Conscious Animal Community 1 ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: April 7, 2020 Action Agenda Item No. 8-e SUBJECT: Resolution Regarding Orange County Becoming a Socially Conscious Animal Community DEPARTMENT: Animal Services ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: Resolution Bob Marotto, Director, Animal Services, Socially Conscious Animal Community 919.932.4963 Fundamentals (Infographic) Amanda Schwoerke, Chair, Animal http://scsheltering.org/shareable- Services Advisory Board, information/ 203.815.5481 PURPOSE: To approve a resolution regarding Orange County becoming a socially conscious animal community. BACKGROUND: Orange County has made a strong commitment to progressive and innovative animal services for its residents and their animals. This is evident in the creation of Animal Services as a free-standing county department (2005); the opening of a state-of-the-art Animal Services Center (2009); the creation of an award winning Community Spay and Neuter Program; and the positive community relations including ongoing collaboration between policy makers, staff and the Animal Services Advisory Board (ASAB). A significant development in the field of animal services and animal welfare over the last few years has been the development of a perspective committed to creating a socially conscious animal community. Animal Services staff and the ASAB believe that this perspective is overdue and very beneficial to animal welfare and the human-animal bond in the community and beyond. This perspective has emerged as a result of community experiences animal shelters, animal welfare and historic efforts to save animal lives around the country. The perspective is well described as follows in its public presentation (http://scsheltering.org/shareable-information/): "The Socially Conscious Animal Community is a framework that allows each of us to understand our role in creating best outcomes for pets. This concept is based on respectful treatment of animals. It's about placing every healthy and safe animal that ends up in a shelter or rescue. It's about transparency and leadership. It's about thoughtful public policy. It's about safe communities. We must work together to create the best outcomes for all animals while nurturing the human-animal bond." 2 Critical components of this perspective include but are not limited to the following: • A holistic approach to a community as opposed to a narrower focus on animal shelters whether they be publically run or non-profits. • Recognition that animal welfare and the human-animal bond depends upon not only community animal shelters but a variety of actors including policymakers, news media outlets, veterinarians, and rescue organizations. • Collaboration between animal shelters and agencies and various community partners. • Life-saving policies and practices that do not end up being detrimental to the welfare of shelter (or other) animals. • Life-saving policies that do not adversely affect the safety of households, neighborhoods or communities. This perspective has emerged, in part, as a response to challenges arising from life-saving efforts over the last few decades. There are some animals that are dangerous to families and communities and should not be rehomed through standard adoption procedures — and sometimes not at all. Whether it be due to behavioral challenges or medical problems, animals should not be kept in shelters indefinitely to avoid euthanasia. The result is not only that their quality of life deteriorates but that the numbers negatively impact the quality of life for other shelter animals. Animal Services staff and the ASAB recognize these concerns and appreciate the holistic approach taken by the socially conscious animal community perspective. Staff and the ASAB also believe that many of the operational practices and programs of Animal Services already fall within this framework, suggesting the extent to which Orange County is itself already a socially conscious animal community. These practices include the Community Spay/Neuter Program, Volunteer Program, collaboration with animal rescue groups, veterinarians and other community partners, and close working relations with the media and numerous local law enforcement agencies. Animal Services staff and the ASAB are excited to intentionally work toward making Orange County an even more socially conscious animal community. Both believe this perspective will encourage the community to invest in animal welfare and the human-animal bond, foster a culture of transparency, promote ethical decision making, strengthen mutual respect, inspire continual learning, and assist with ongoing collaboration. FINANCIAL IMPACT: The resolution has no financial impact. Events and outreach done in conjunction with the socially conscious animal community perspective are ongoing and already a part of Animal Services activities and operations. SOCIAL JUSTICE IMPACT: There is no Orange County Social Justice Goal impact associated with this item. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT: There is no Orange County Environmental Responsibility Goal impact associated with this item. RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board approve the attached resolution and authorize the Chair to sign the resolution 3 RES-2020-020 ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS SOCIALLY CONSCIOUS ANIMAL COMMUNITY RESOLUTION WHEREAS, cats and dogs provide companionship to and share the homes of thousands of individuals in Orange County; and WHEREAS, there is a strong and progressive tradition of animal protection and animal welfare in Orange County; and WHEREAS, Orange County Animal Services is recognized for its achievements and innovation as a result of the commitment the County has made to providing excellent services for residents and their animals; and WHEREAS, a significant development in the field of animal services and animal welfare in recent years has been the development of a perspective committed to creating a socially conscious animal community; and WHEREAS, the socially conscious animal community perspective is important to the evolution of the field of animal service and animal welfare and its practice in our own and other communities; and WHEREAS, this perspective strives to place every healthy and safe animal that ends up in a shelter or rescue, advance the health and safety of our communities, provide thoughtful leadership and public policy, and involve all sectors in promoting animal welfare and the human-animal bond; and WHEREAS, the Animal Services Advisory Board and staff believes that the socially conscious animal community approach is already evident in the mission and operation of Orange County Animal Services and its relationship with the community; and WHEREAS, the Animal Services Advisory Board and staff believes there is value in working toward making Orange County an even more socially conscious animal community with active involvement from community partners, stakeholders and others; and WHEREAS, the Animal Services Advisory Board and staff believe that doing so will foster a culture of transparency, strengthen mutual respect, and encourage the community to further promote animal welfare and the human-animal bond; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of County Commissioners declares Orange County, North Carolina as a socially conscious animal community and calls upon the people of the County to observe this declaration as part of their relationship with County services and entities. THIS THE 7t" DAY OF April 2020. Penny Rich, Chair Orange County Board of Commissioners Policy Makers can help create a Socially Conscious Animal • Creating, supporting and . Understanding all LAW defending animal consequences of cruelty and neglect animal legislation laws • Investing sufficiently in your • Valuing animals community's animal services programs i • Seeking expertise •' from trusted animal welfare organizations and • Understanding that professionals humane communities include healthy relationships between • Recognizing the vital role people and pets animal control agencies play in public safety create a Socially Conscious Rescue Groups can help • Partnering with Socially Conscious shelters • Supporting the fundamental tenants of Socially Conscious Sheltering • Focusing your programs on animals who struggle within shelter systems • Helping move animals to locations where they are most likely to be adopted 1 1 Veterinarians can help create a Socially Conscious Animal Community by: • Offering effective • Providing care to indigent medicine choices pet owners, when able • Collaborating with Socially Conscious animal welfare * Trusting and sharing organizations evidence-based behavior expertise and resources • Impacting • Volunteering your time, 00) thoughtful skill and expertise public policy • Knowing the resources available for pet owners Law enforcement can help create a Socially Conscious Animal • Acting on animal cruelty and neglect complaints ` • Partnering with Socially Conscious animal welfare 4 organizations I� • Enforcing the unique �w laws regarding animal aw k% investigations • Supporting healthy relationships between ® Considering the best people and outcome for each pets animal throughout an investigation • Recognizing the connection ' between cruelty . to animals and violence toward humans Media partners can help create a Socially Conscious Animal • Accurately informing your . partnering with Socially audience on the complex Conscious animal welfare world of animal welfare organizations (feature adoptable pets, support and promote events) • Sharing stories that - -- - highlight collaborations within the community • Sharing stories that highlight the good work of Socially Conscious animal welfare organizations III ill I. Seeking expertise ertise from trusted animal welfare organizations and professionals II You can help create a Socially Conscious Animal •.• • Adopting and • Supporting fostering pets Socially Conscious • animal welfare O organizations Q(jq, I-V • Reporting animal neglect and cruelty and recognizing • Valuing the human- the vital role that humane animal bond law enforcement serves in your community • Volunteering • Seeking to understand the complex world of animal welfare • Taking responsibility • Understanding all for your pet's consequences of LAW medical, animal legislation behavioral and social needs