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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda 02-17-2026; 7-b - Animal Services’ History and Presentation on Current Services and the Community Animal Clinic 1 ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: February 17, 2026 Action Agenda Item No. 7-b SUBJECT: Animal Services' History and Presentation on Current Services and the Community Animal Clinic DEPARTMENT: Animal Services ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: Information on Animal Services History Elizabeth Overcash, Animal Services Presentation on Current and Proposed Director, 919-942-7387 Future Activities and Goals PURPOSE: To receive information on Animal Services' history and receive a presentation on current services and an overview of the new Community Animal Clinic. BACKGROUND: Orange County Animal Services began in 1953 with a single dog warden and a focus on rabies control. At that time, there was no adoption program, no volunteer program, and no focus on animal welfare. Over time, as concerns with animal welfare gained traction and canine variant rabies was eradicated, animal services priorities shifted to an increased focus on animal care and placement. An adoption program was created, and finding homes for pets became a central focus of sheltering. Between 1979 and 2004, the Animal Protection Society of Orange County (changed to Paws4ever in 2008) administered the County government contract to operate animal services and its open- admission animal shelter, providing rescue, health exams, humane care, nutritional food, disease and parasite control, and veterinary care for sick or injured animals arriving in its care. On July 1, 2004, Orange County assumed responsibility for providing animal services, and on June 1, 2009, Orange County Animal Services opened the current location on Eubanks Road in Chapel Hill. Over the last two decades, Animal Services has shifted its focus from simply placing animals to also supporting pet owners in the community and empowering families to keep their pets. To help with this, Animal Services offers several safety net resources, such as a pet food pantry, spay and neuter vouchers, and veterinary assistance. In March 2025, Animal Services opened the Orange County Community Animal Clinic, allowing staff to provide care to owned animals, further increasing the ability to support community members and keep pets with their families. Staff estimates that approximately 12,550 pet owners in Orange County may need low-cost veterinary services, which are now provided through the Community Animal Clinic. The goal is for this clinic to become self-sustaining through donations, grants, and payment by those clients who can pay. From July to December 2025, staff provided care to 122 pets through the Clinic. The 2 Clinic has recently received a $79,552 grant from the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. This grant will cover operational costs this year. Staff plans to propose an additional veterinary health care technician position for approval. Through a separate item on this same February 17, 2026 Business meeting agenda, staff is requesting approval of an updated fee schedule for various Clinic fees. Staff has attached information on Animal Services' history, and will provide a presentation at the meeting on the current services and programs, including the Community Animal Clinic, and staff's proposed future plans and goals. FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no financial impact associated with this presentation. ALIGNMENT WITH STRATEGIC PLAN: This item supports: • GOAL 2: HEALTHY COMMUNITY OBJECTIVE 3. Provide social safety net programming and the resources needed for our most vulnerable community members (e.g., veterans, unhoused people, foster children, older adults, etc.). OBJECTIVE 7. Invest in services and programs that improve the health and quality of life of the community. RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends the Board receive the information on Animal Services' history, receive a presentation on current and proposed future services and an overview of the new Community Animal Clinic, and provide any comments and questions. � Orange County Animal Services • � � • History of Animal Services 4 In the Beginning • The Orange County Animal Control Program was established in 1953 with the appointment of the first Dog Warden and the opening of the Dog Pound. i • Administration of Animal Control was under the District -Y Health Department (Orange, Person, Caswell, Chatham, and Lee Counties), and the Dog Warden was responsible only for animal control in the unincorporated areas of Orange County, not in the municipalities. • This was at a time when the primary concern of Animal Control was rabies control. 4 5 • The Dog Warden maintained the unincorporated areas of the Board of Countycounty. • October 5, 1964 Commissioners o "The Dog Warden informed the Police Department that he had been told by Dr. Garvin that he should not operate within the city limits of Chapel Hill. . . . The Police Minutes Department does 90% of the dog control necessary and the Town pays approximately $500.00 each year for dog pound service . . . :. Chairman Stanford read the folloving letter from Roland McClamroch, Jr. , M iyor, Town of Chapel Hill "A few days ago the Chapel Hill Police Department oalled on the Grange Ccunty Dog Warden to assist them in the prob- lem of dog control in Chapel Hill. The Dog Marden informed the Police Department that he had been told by Dr. Gar-vin that he should not operate within the city limits of Chapel Hill. "Chapel Hill han an excess of 600 dogs that are license by the County. The Police Department does 90% of the dog control necessary and the Town pays approximately $500.00 each year for dog pound service through Dr. Vire in Chapel Hill. It appears that any such instructions, as those given by Dr. Garvin, are entirely out of line, and i hope that you would use your influence to correct this situation." 6 .r_rsg reply to the above letter, from Dr. b. David Garr n, The District Health r,ad by Chairaran Stanford: "I received a copy of the letter written you bar Mayor Board of County �CdatSepteSeptember 16, was�. _� this letter r � dated �� $ � quoted as having told the dog warden that he show not oper- ate within the city limits of Chapel Hill. I state that I did tell Mr. 9ogo mile discussing with hire the problem of Commissioners dog control, :wt only ir: Chapel Hila buc in Orange County, that he i.a on2y one person, can only oe in orae place at ary one time, does nat have regular or the needed help, and that ClApal Fill has an extensive police iores, makes aspecial Minutes appropriation to be sued ay the Humana Society a� ®specially Dr. Vine, and that, therefore, he should spend his tine in the area outside of Cnapel Hill and help in Chapel :Hill when he Can. "The above was a racommenda.icn or, a statement to ".r. Boggs as you realize he does not work specifically under • October 5, 1964 v7 direction, but coopers-tiTe.y with us, o "[T]he problem of dog control, not only in "As you recall, i have on several cccarians reacoamenacd Chapel Hill but in Orange County, is that [the that a second dog warders or assistant dog warden with a truck and eruipeaent, together with a helper for Mr. Boggs dog warden] is only one person, can only be in and a es®cond warden be employed spa that more control and one place at any one time does not have supervision of dogs can be exercised to the county. as regular or the needed help, and that Chapel Hill co recall, n, nd thegs' truck is not equipped h for radia coa�snication, srd therefore, contact with him is often delayed and awkvard, all of which limits his time and plate has an extensive police force . . . therefore, he restrictions on what he could specifically do to help Chapel should spend his time in the area outside of Fill witb their ever-present deg problem. Chapel Hill and help in Chapel Hill when he "I again state that Mr. Boggs can o ly da so xuok: within Can." the time hes is suppcsead to work to cahtml dogs in Crane :ounty. Fu theirmoro, the City of Chapel Rill makes special o "[T]he City of Chapel Hill makes special provisions for the city In additi°Q to those that might be provided by the county and, therefore, bAs a responsibility provisions for the city in addition to those that in dog control that cannot ae transferred to the county. might be provided by the county and, therefore, rp.3. in the Rabies Control law, Chapter 106-352, �ownw or has a responsibility in dog control that Cities with a Wpulation of 5,C)W or more a:e charged Frith cannot be transferred to the county." the responsibility for assistance in the e,nforecvrent of the act." �k clerk was instructed to anaver Mayor MzClamroch is letter and axplAln the County's i this matLer. 7 • Animal control services were limited to the unincorporated parts of the county, rather than municipal city limits. While the dog warden would assist in the city limits if time allowed, the priority was to serve the county. • This is similar to the way the Orange County Sheriff's Office operates. Although the Sheriff has jurisdiction throughout the county, Animal the Sheriff's Office generally focuses on the unincorporated parts of the county, while municipalities provide their own police force that is Services in tailored to their specific urban environments and city ordinances. Orange • Animal control ordinances in the city limits of Chapel Hill, Carrboro, and Hillsborough differ from the Unified Animal Control Ordinance of Orange County. • Police departments would typically be charged with handling animal ' control concerns in the municipalities. However, through contractual agreements, Orange County Animal Services now provides animal control services for Chapel Hill, Carrboro, and Hillsborough. 40, 8 Board of County Commissioners Minutes • May 2 1955 Hume Claytorn, County Dog Verden, reported that since January 1, 1955, y there had been 373 dogs empounded, 85 sold to hospitals, 34 shot, :244 gasaed, c.;: and 1443 vaccinated. Permission was granted to Mr. Clayton to unite persons « o [S]ince January 1 , 1955, there who had failed to have their dogs vaccinated and inform then of his pians had been 373 dogs to visit certain sections of orange County at apeuifled dates. [i]mpounded, 85 sold to hospitals, 34 shot, 244 gassed ........ ........._._..._ . _._. ._... Upon motion of Commissioner Lanier, seconded by Commissioner Efland, and and 1443 vaccinated. unanimously passed the following resolution was adopted; "l. The County Dog Warden may impound a lost or stray dog for a period of not more than seven (7) days. • /August 1 , 1955 2. The County Dag Warden by request or consent of the owner of said dog may dispose of a clog immediately. o "The County Dog Warden may 3. Dogs suspected of rabid must be confined by the County Dog Warden the langth of time as required by impound a lost or stray dog for Iain," a period of not more than seven (7) days." 9 Advancements in Animal Welfare • During the 1960s and 1970s, animal welfare is advancing rapidly. • The US Animal Welfare Act passed in 1966, which provides protections for animals used in research, teaching, testing, exhibition, transport, and by dealers. • National groups like the American Society for the Prevention of *- Cruelty to Animals and the Humane Society of the United States (now Humane World) are both lobbying and campaigning, creating policy changes. Y�41 • North Carolina enacted the Animal Welfare Act in 1977 to ensure that animals, meaning here dogs and cats, are provided humane care and treatment by regulating the transportation, sale, purchase, housing, care, handling, and treatment of animals by persons or organizations engaged in transporting, buying, or selling them. This Act was intended to protect animals confined in pet shops, kennels, public and private animal shelters, and auction markets. R 10 Elimination of • Most significantly for shelters, we effectively eliminated Canine Variant Rabies canine variant rabies. Wildlife vectors became the primary source of rabies - not dogs. o By 1960, wildlife were diagnosed more frequently with 00 rabies than were domesticated animals. o The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention declared that canine variant rabies was eradicated from the United States in 2007. o In North Carolina, the last case of human rabies acquired from a canine was in 1955, when a woman succumbed to canine variant rabies after she was bitten by her pet dog. During this time, sheltering is starting to shift from purely rabies control to animal welfare. Adoption programs were developed, meaning that animals could leave the shelter through adoption, rather than simply by owner reclaim or euthanasia. 11 Animal Welfare 712 Gree Rosi! Advancements Affected September r� 't��' 27514 �a�tsr�tser i°�� 1 i David ' yin Orange County District health Dir ector range-7'er.on-CA:�el-I-Chs`.haimt-�? " Count'" Chapel Hill, Nor-.h Carolina Pear Dr. Garvin: • 1962 - The Animal Protection Society (APS) of Thank you for your a et3•er of Septen.ter 8 about Chapel Hill began advocatin for animal welfare, the Craigs County t09 pound'It sa ,goad to know p g g that you and vour staff are working on the probl m. leading the push for changes to the local TAhil"pound;' which was in a deplorable condition. need f,r�hsomeesort of prytection for tthe an mal$he most i �� in the ccx-ing winter. As you know, one side of the kennel.e is completely open to rain, snow; and cold, roggs triee to hang cloths up, but this can't do • 1972 - The APS of Chapel Hill incorporated as a ztxh good. A fcz., :ieces of something like shottroc nonprofit 501 c 3 organization. ar even tar paper would help` There is no means of p ( )( ) g .eating at all. We in the Animal Fmtection Society appreciate he exteps you are taking; we will be glad tc do anythi� • 1977 - The organization changed its name to The a can to cooperate. Animal Protection Society of Orange County, as Very sincerely yours, the sphere of services expanded to serve the whole county. 11. K. Russell 12 Creation of Orange County - _- Animal Services - • 1979-2004 — The APS of Orange County (changed to Paws4ever in 2008) administered the county government contract to operate animal services and its open-admission animal shelter, providing rescue, health exams, humane care, nutritional food, disease and parasite control, and veterinary "A care for sick or injured animals arriving in its care. • July 1 , 2004 — Orange County assumed responsibility for providing animal services, after concerns arose regarding the management of , Animal Services under APS of Orange County. • June 1 , 2009 — Orange County Animal Services opened the current location on Eubanks Road. ` Orange County Animal Services was a fully functioning department in its own right, with an animal control program, adoption program, and robust volunteer program. �- � Orange County Animal Services • ' � • Current Activities and Future Goals 14 Creation of Orange County - _- Animal Services - 1953 -The Orange County Animal Control Program was _ established in 1953 with the appointment of the first Dog - _-� Warden and the opening of the Dog Pound. The Dog Warden provided services to the unincorporated parts of the county , 4 and focused on rabies control. " . • 1979-2004 -The APS of Orange County (changed to .A Paws4ever in 2008) administered the county government contract to operate animal services and its open-admission animal shelter, providing rescue, health exams, humane care, nutritional food, disease and parasite control, and veterinary care for sick or injured animals arriving in its care. • July 1, 2004 - Orange County assumed responsibility for providing animal services, after concerns arose regarding , the management of Animal Services under APS of Orange County. June 1, 2009 - Orange County Animal Services opened the current location on Eubanks Road. Orange County Animal Services was a fully functioning department in its own right, with an animal control program, adoption program, and r robust volunteer program. "- 15 Current Statistics • Intake: 3,197 (2025); up 9% from 2024 (2,925) • Live Release: 2,894 (2025); up 10% from 2024 (2,620) 0 91 .6% live release (up from 91 .2% in 2024) o Considered "no kill" since 2022 (only around 30% of shelters meet this threshold in NC) o North Carolina is the third highest state in number of dogs/cats euthanized • Volunteer Hours: 18,455 (2025); no data before 2025 o Robust volunteer program; over 350 active volunteers • Dogs Fostered: 2,151 (2025); no data before 2025 • Cats Fostered: 1 ,352 (2025); no data before 2025 • Animal Control Activities: 4,259 (2025); same as 2024 (4,259) 16 1 . . +f OIRANGE COUN-FY ANIMAL OCAS Programs ©Karat eaunrrY Ncj SOUTHERN SPATES" AiN111i�AL + eed°crus, � s�Rr►ICEs - * PET ADOPTION A J _. Blvvd Drv►e EVENT CAT TRAINING CLASSES NOVEMBER 22ND,2025 1 1OAM-2PM ANIMAL at Orange County Animal Services AT SOUTHERN STATES CARRBORO M eacKEo a (DCTOSER 18,2025;10AM J.QQ EPERSON SERVICES tea^^ u• ormcop r 2-5 Tr CAT �iy • ' -CAT BEHAVIOR J - - ..• :.- •E "Meow-UvMkneP trainlrq as�itrne when h1Rmine learlt mare ebnut ehelr cat e• • comparlkam.B�l♦tk41.TDragw or e>�uimndcel ownerR. VACCINE CLINIC o 0 �. Saturday, 11/22/25 C1 Lai GRANGE COUNTY ANIMAL SERVICES-150)EUBANKS RD,CHAPEL HILL,NC � FREE DA2PPV/FVRCP VACCINES��� ee�..aw.Lwmrrcx�++xasl.xcn 1 nu,ws•r»�I c.uvIHa.Nc• E RABIES VACCINES $3s MICROCRIPS r • PET MICROCHIP SCANNING STATION Jw This initiative improves the lives of ESTACION DE ESCANEADO DE MICROCHIPS PARA MASCOTRS * community cats and helps keep them out of • shelters through spay/neuter assistance and E outreach. 1. HELP GET LOST AYIIDA mASCOTAS PERDIOA Orange County Animal Services advanced community l RETS Ill UUELUAH A CASA 1501 Eubanks Road SCAN ME Chapel!-fill NC SCAN \/yJ\/\y �US scan hw,a 1pew orW fel 1=1 suwcc!aw Eurus V[•uru JLIY I/ 9DID a.m.-1:00 p.m. DOGKEASE—E WEED RARE 9N LEAIAlES AND CATS ARE IN CARRIERS ME! BASIC NEEDS BE tj urwrn+nce:art+L•.].nu ]..rloosiw.A,. w. �z:xaEr '�, TQ VOUTE UNURE 0HEALTHCARE r You can also drop by our shellac wllh a nlonatery donabw or mall a oa+nr unvE en s lou. ro t+En wxo*.s wu a Rr c+sl.w VGwia1EE-FW.m Incsow l•neuwun Luwurm •i F chrck mane It In ares®e county Anf ei SerNeee 1(igi Eubenxs DOG 102• p �' Rodd,Chapel Hill,NC 27516.You cn 1 Pa fy[hal WE 101 0. .. Gor unay chnnsFJnd�s Frne a«nlnR Cn1 m 1letrve. B EHAV I d R NNW y S"IENGTHEN YOUR BOND WPTH YOURANINECbe1rANIDEIS FORNEWOREXCIeIENc9caOG tVME•SQ® '• . YkNIfEi x 1-1' f.NRORMAt fOM AlYO SM'N UI NSR} ' ♦ I � iJnnH] TW`— 17 ,,�i111lflt�flllll � r ShelterinStaff F--4 g • Animal Services Director (1 ) • Assistant Director (1 ) - • Medical Director/Veterinarian (1 ) • Program Manager (1 ) • Assistant Program Coordinator (1 ) • Business Officer (1 ) • Communications Specialist (1 ) , • Animal Care Supervisor (1 ) • Animal Care Technicians (6) • Veterinary Health Care Technicians (4) • Customer Service Supervisor (1 ) • Office Assistants (4) 18 Animal Control • We currently have: o Animal Control Manager (1 ) o Training and Lead Officer (1 ) o Senior Animal Control Officer (1 ) o Animal Control Officer (5) • Our officers work 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. during the week and respond to emergencies afterhours and on weekends. o Most animal concerns can wait a business day. o If we were to respond to non-emergency calls on weekends, we would need additional staffing both in animal control and in the shelter, as more staff would be needed to intake incoming animals outside of normal operating hours. 19 Animal Control EMEMIMMENEW- • Afterhours, holiday, and weekend response is limited to: o Neglect/cruelty situations (that CANNOT wait until the next business day) # o Aggressive animals o Injured strays o Rabies exposures o Bites to humans o Law enforcement requesting assistance ' o Livestock (or other animals) in roadway and/or creating a hazard o Injured deer (if law enforcement is unable to dispatch) ~ 20 Guiding PhiLosophies in AnirnaL WeLfare • In 2011, the Humane Society of the United States (now Humane World) launched Pets for Life, creating a nationwide shift in sheltering. • Prior to this, sheltering professionals generally believed that shelters were better equipped to handle pets than the community and would remove pets from owners they felt were not deserving of those pets. • Pets for Life is a social justice movement based on the following: o Systemic inequity and institutional barriers have created an extreme lack of access to pet resources, such as affordable veterinary and pet wellness services. These challenges are no different than the lack of access to healthy food, education, jobs, health care, and housing by underserved communities. o The deep connection humans feel with pets (the human-animal bond) transcends socio-economic, racial, and geographic boundaries; no human should be denied the joy, comfort, and benefits of this connection due to inequity and lack of access to care and resources. • Pets for Life pushed shelters to enable pet owners, rather than judge them, by providing access to resources such as pet food, veterinary care, spay/neuter resources, etc. 21 Movement to a Community-Centric Model • We have shifted again, and many shelters, including Orange County Animal Services, are ► following the Human Animal Supporttil- 11 Services HASS model. HASS launched in 4 2020. • HASS is a community-centered model that works to keep pets with their families by providing support services for both humans and their pets. ' • Animal Services and Human/Social Services work together to serve people and pets. 22 • Orange County Animal Services is following the HASS model to provide care to our people AND our animals. • We have increased our communication and connectivity with the other Orange County departments. Knowing what Animal resources each department offers—and how to obtain Human those resources--As essential to providing access to care. Support • We provide our own resources for pet owners, including: Services o A pet food pantry. o As part of Chewy's donation program, we received Model 27 pallets of food in December 2025. o Low-cost or no-cost spay and neuter. o Low-cost or no-cost veterinary services. ' • Of all these services, access to veterinary care is the greatest barrier for pet owners. 23 National Statistics • The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) estimates that over 20 million pets live in poverty (2020). • A Humane Society of the United States (now Humane World) 2024 study found that 43% of all pet owners indicated that they have been unable to pay for their pets' needs at some point because of financial reasons. • Pets for Life reported in 2020 that 77% of the approximately 23 million pets currently living in underserved communities in the United States have never been seen by a veterinarian and 87% are not spayed or neutered. • PetSmart Charities-Gallup State of Pet Care Study: Pet Parents'Assessment of American Veterinary Care (2025) o This study showed that 52% of pet parents reported having not taken their pets to the veterinarian within the past year, even when they felt their pet needed veterinary care, or declined care recommended by a veterinarian. o The percentage of these pet owners were particularly high among: 18-to-29-year-olds (59%), black pet owners (58%), Hispanic pet owners (57%), and pet owners living in households earning less than $60,000 annually (55%). o Even people with higher incomes are affected; 27% of pet parents earning more than $90,000 who have declined care say they did so because they could not afford it. o Approximately 4 in 10 pet owners were interested in alternative veterinary care methods for their pets, such as community clinics (38%), home visits from a veterinarian (38%), or telemedicine (37%). Black pet owners (54%), 18-to 29-year-olds (48%), and those living in households earning less than $60,000 annually (47%) reported the highest interest in community clinics. 24 Orange County Statistics 0 We can estimate that there are at least 12,550 low-income pet owners in Orange County. 1 o As of April 2025, 21,416 people (14% of Orange County residents) were enrolled in Medicaid (meaning they make less than 1 .4 times the federal poverty level). o As of April 2025, 9,163 Orange County residents were receiving food stamps through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Based on county food insecurity numbers, it is estimated that an additional 4,000 residents may be eligible for SNAP benefits. SNAP eligibility is generally capped at 1 .3 times the federal poverty level. o There may be overlap between these groups, but we can safely say that at least 14% of Orange County residents or 21,416 people could be classified as having incomes so low that they cannot afford standard living expenses, much less veterinary care. o Approximately 58.6% of North Carolinians own a pet (2018 AVMA study), so we can assume that of the at least 21 ,416 financially insecure individuals in Orange County, around 12,550 individuals own a pet. Therefore, we can estimate that there are at least 12,550 pet owners in Orange County who may have need of low-cost veterinary services. 25 Comparison of Pet Owners Who Declined Care Due to Affordability or Perception That Care Was Not Worth the Cost, Based on Household Income Which of the following prevented you from getting veterinary care for your Accessto Care pet(s) in the last 12 months?Select all that apply. Which of the following best describes the reason(s)you declined care? Select all that apply. Veterinary costs have increased by over %Gare was not worth the cost 00/b Could not afford the cost • 60 percent over the past decade. Less than$36,000 mm&� • This is due to higher costs for the $36,000 to$69,999 MEN" medications and supplies, greater corporate ownership, decreased 99 pharmacy revenue due to online $ °'fl°°t°$� '� competition, higher workforce costs, increased specialty services, and $90,000 or more reduced intermediate options. Pets are also living longer, and with older age there Among pet owners who say they have not brought their pet to the veterinarian within the past year,or have ever declined care recommended by a veterinarian. are more medical ex enses. Due to rounding,totals may sum to1p0a/b±1% p PetSmart Charities-Gallup,Nov,13-20,2024,and Dec.2,2024-Jan.9,2,025 GALLUP 26 Orange County Assistance • Orange County Animal Services is working to provide access to care. Previously, this has been accomplished through two main voucher programs: o (1) a veterinary care assistance program, funded by donations, and o (2) a spay/neuter assistance program, funded by state reimbursement and grant funding. • Veterinary Care Assistance Program 0 2023- assisted 34 animals -cost of $11 ,701 .86-average cost: $344.17 per pet 0 2024- assisted 12 animals- cost of $5,346.32-average cost: $445.53 per pet 0 2025- assisted 47 animals -cost of $16,649.91 -average cost: $354.25 per pet (and depleted funding) o This program was donation funded and has depleted funding. • Spay/Neuter Assistance Program 0 2023- sterilized 701 animals -cost of $67,607-average cost: $96.44 per pet 0 2024- sterilized 492 animals-cost of $42,785.10-average cost: $86.96 per pet 0 2025- sterilized 613 animals-cost of $74,892.70-average cost: $122.17 per pet o This program is funded by state reimbursement and grant funding; however, neither source of funding fully covers the expense of this program. 27 co Orange County Community Animal Clinic • Licensed since March 2025 CI • Allows Animal Services to provide 0 care to owned animals o Allows access to care 4C L 1 14: o Watkins, calls, emails o Animal control cases from field 28 Haddon The First Clinic Client • First client - Lee and his dog, Haddon o Unhoused o Mass on front left foot that made walking painful o Lee and Haddon walk everywhere o Performed surgery on the mass and updated vaccines • Helped owner connect with support services for food and shelter, -Faith Council including Inter 29 toov CLINIC Clinic Services Optional Services to Add While Your Pet Is Here for Its Appointment We're happy to provide additiorial twalth services during your pet's visit to help keep them healthy and protected SUR FRY Spay and Neuter •Dog Spay(Female):$150`$175 if 75 lbs or more) ®Dog Neuter{Male]:$120(5175 if 75 lbs or more) o Low Cost ❑Cat Spay(Ferrate):$85 El Cat Neuter(Male):570 o No cost M TNVR Cats Spay/Neuter:No Cost:$30 donation request _ 0 Wellness/Prevention VACCIr. TE' n RahtesVaccina(1-Year or8-Year)-510 ❑Dog HeartwormTest-$20 o Vaccines (some grant provided) Required by law,protects against rabies,a fatal disease Screens for heartworm disease spread by mosquitoes. Due yearly or every 3 years Due at 6 months,then annually. 171 DOg InstemperlParvo(DHPP)-$15 ❑Gat Feline LeukemwrIV Test-S40 o Deworming Protects dogs from parvo,drsten"r,and deer serious Checks for two contagious feline viruses vfnses Duo every 2 weeks unhi 20 weeks old,yea IV o Flea/tick after. 0 Bordetella(Kennel Cough)-315 Recommended for dogs that go to boarding,grooming,or o Heartworm/F I V/Fe LV testing playgroups. _Cat Distemper(FVRCP)-515 Illness/In ur Protects cats from respiratory viruses and panleukopenia • y Due every 2 weeks until 207 weeks old,yearly after. PREVENTATIVES DIHLRSLRVICLS o Skin issues ❑FleafTick Pravantfon-$10 7 Mlesocn 1p-$35 One dose to help prevent fleas and ficks. Permanent identification to help your pet get home if lost o Respiratory illnesses 7 Dewormer(Pyrantel)-$10 Treats common intestmaI worms,especially in young pets. 77 Heartworm Prevention-516 o Amputations One-tirne dose available with proof of a negative and On8 C� Ot]seSB ry 1leartwoOFRBt.' o No radiographs/no bloodwork -Ow dose prevanrxrr ]S®OI na&nvaM prnverrticn are atom a or amonu S�PWy Exam Fee:$45 Examfeasapplytoany non-surgleatappointmanit,Inint udIngweIInaasexains.Surgerypatients a We are requesting changes to our fee schedule to account receive a brief exam prior to surgery,which Is included in the cost of the procedure. Total Cost: $ for these expenses. 30 Goals •� • One goal is to allow access to care for our community's most vulnerable and underserved populations. Costfor Profit Procedur, ost to the (if no 7 1JrECA]S • Keep pets in their families, rather than in the shelter. - ' In addition to the moral argument for this, there is also financial incentive for the county to keep pets housed Cat Spay $57.42 $85 $27.58 with their humans. We are going to pay for these pets either way. Cat Neuter $22.82 $70 $47.18 Dog Spay $94.94 $150 $55.06 • We can do this in part by charging community members who can pay so that we can charge lower Dog Neuter $73.49 $120 $46.51 fees (or no fees) to community members with financial insecurity. • A future goal is to be self sustaining. 31 Current Financial Situation • Currently, we are not self-sustaining. i J o The Clinic is still new (although word is spreading daily). o Many of our clients are financially insecure. They may lack secure housing, transportation, and funding. f �° o Many clients come in through Animal Control and have no means of providing veterinary care. o We are working to assist these community members and treat their animals so that these families may remain together. • We are pulling from our medical and surgical budgets to cover any Clinic costs. o Medical Supplies (appropriation): $41,475 ■ Percentage used as of December: 85% o Surgical Supplies (appropriation): $31,800 -0r� 1� ■ Percentage used as of December: 61% •�,: o Funds paid by Clinic clients as of December: $4,480 o Donations to the Clinic as of December: $23,726 z,.. rr-�• p'h 32 Farnibes Served • July to December 2025: o 35 cats , ■ 16 veterinary careGOV - ■ 19 spay/neuter o 87 dogs Sasha is an 8-year-old female German shepherd mix. Her ■ 44 veterinary care owner is unhoused. Sasha came to us with red, irritated, and itchy skin and unaltered. Through our Clinic, we were ■ 43 spay/neuter able to spay Sasha and treat her skin. Her owner came back to show us her improvement. Sasha would not have been able to stay with her owner if not for the Clinic. Her owner was incredibly grateful. 33 Expected Expenses to Meet Goals Our goals for this year are as follows: • Assist at least 100 community animals with veterinary care. o Last fiscal year, we assisted 47 animals with veterinary care at an average cost of$354.25 per pet. We did not meet our community's needs; instead, our program ceased when we depleted funding. Through the Clinic, we expect to care for 100 community animals at a cost not to exceed (and likely to be less than) $35,425. • Provide at least 200 free or reduced-cost spay/neuter surgeries. o We are still providing spay/neuter vouchers through the state reimbursement program; however, since we must supplement these vouchers from our own budget, shifting some of these surgeries to the Clinic will provide a cost savings. o The average cost per surgery through the voucher program in 2025 was $122.81 per pet. We estimate that the average cost per surgery performed at the Clinic is $62.17 per pet. If we add vaccines, deworming, and other additional minor services, the average cost is approximately$106.00 per pet, making the total estimated cost for 200 surgeries $21,200. • Purchase veterinary software to assist in scheduling appointments and managing payments, at an annual cost of$10,800. • Purchase additional medical equipment (ultrasound, tonopen, otoscope)to increase diagnostic capabilities and provide for greater continuity of care, at a total of$12,127. ANIMAL SERVICES HAS RECEIVED A GRANT FROM THE AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR THE PREVENTION OF CRUELTY TO ANIMALS FOR$79, 2 TO FULLY COVER THESE INITIAL CLINIC COSTS. 34 Expected Staffing Needs to Meet Goals • We are requesting an additional Veterinary Health Care Technician (VHCT) position to assist the medical team with the increased workload. • We currently have four VHCTs, who provide care for nearly 3,000 animals annually, including: o Performing surgery for thirty or more animals daily, two to three times each week; o Administering vaccinations and examinations on incoming animals and foster animals in a growing foster program; o Administering medication and treatment to animals both in the shelter and in foster care; o Adhering to stringent regulations by the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Resources and the North Carolina Veterinary Medical Board; o Performing basic husbandry duties; o Managing controlled drug logs and documenting drug usage; o Performing humane euthanasia; and o Cleaning and maintaining surgical instruments and the surgery suite, among other tasks. • The VHCTs are now caring for MORE animals: o We have seen a steady increase in intake numbers since 2020; in 2025 we received nine percent more animals than in 2024. o With the opening of the community animal clinic, the VHCTs will see an additional 200 to 300 animals annually. 35 The Orange County Community Animal Clinic provides access to care for the underserved members of our community and their pets. Healthy Community Objectives The clinic aligns with healthy community objectives, as it supports the basic needs and financial security of low-income County families, helping to create a robust safety net of economic supports that help build long-term financial security. 0 jectives Social Justice Principle The clinic also supports our guiding principle of social justice, as it is the underserved communities that are facing the greatest disparities in accessing veterinary care. The clinic is a resource ' that will allow pet owners facing financial burdens to bridge the gap and access veterinary care. 36 Future Plans In 2026, we will work to develop a strategic plan to help guide us toward our goals, including: • Increasing availability and accessibility of resources o Both at our shelter and in diverting people to other county departments o In April, Animal Services will become a practicum site for the UNC School of Social Work o Coordination with community partners to get resources to residents where needed • Growing our presence in the community o Attending more events o Collaborating with community partners o Senior programming, both at the senior centers and retirement communities • Providing more child education in schools and camps o Greater presence in schools o Working with DEAPR to fill educational blocks at camps • Ensuring sustainability for the community animal clinic o The Clinic is a critical resource for our community's most vulnerable populations; we must ensure its success • Elevating professionalism in Animal Services o Continued training and adherence to best practices