A Study of Animal Overpopulation Crisis in Pulaski County - July, 2000.

County of Pulaski, July 12, 2000

prepared by Tom Combiths

Introduction

• The Humane Society of the United

States estimates:

• approximately 12 million animals

are taken to shelters each year

• 6 to 8 million of these pets will not

find a new home

• People unaware of the problem,

often allow their own pets to add to the overpopulation crisis

Introduction (cont.):

•In 1999 Pulaski County Animal

Control:

–Picked up and sheltered

over 1,900 animals;

– Of an average 158 per

month, less than half of these animals found new homes.

–During the same period the

three county animal control officers responded to over 3,000 animal complaints.

Introduction (cont.):

•one pair of dogs and

their offspring could result in 62,000 dogs in only six years

•a pair of cats and their

offspring could result in 420,000 cats in six years.

Background of Study

• The present animal shelter was built in

about 1976 and is 1,200 sq. ft.large. It has been operating at capacity for over 5 years.

• Improvements have been made to the

shelter in the past five years, including:

– climate control – two private offices – telecommunications – waste disposal – small animal cages – epoxy sealing over concrete – quarantine areas – electrical upgrades – record keeping technology

SHELTER MAINTENANCE PROBLEMS INCLUDE:

• adequate animal holding space, • cracking concrete, • rusting metal doors, • aging roof, • termite damage, • rotting wood, • lack of storage space, • inadequate airflow, • noise abatement, • lack of insulation • labor intensive maintenance

Animal Control Staffing has more than doubled over the past five years, including:

•Supervision by the Sheriff and Chief Deputy •increase from 2 to 3 animal control officers •addition of support staff for public contact and administration

Maintenance concerns

• Staff must choose between adequate shelter maintenance and patrolling to assist citizens or respond to calls.

• Frequent cleaning of the floor of with water leads to cracks that can harbor bacteria.

Animal population in the County is above the national average:

• due in large part to the fact

the county is rural in nature, and

• households tend to keep

multiple pets.

Current cost of County animal control services is high:

• approximately $150,000 annually, • more than county support of

rescue squads

• more than county support of the

Office on Youth.

A sterilization program for claimed and adopted animals has been in place for 10 years. With the recent addition of a part-time staff person the shelter has been able able to put more effort into sterilization enforcement. More aggressive sterilization efforts would require additional resources.

Shelters are not the source of excessive euthanasia of animals. Irresponsible pet owners have caused the crisis of too many unwanted pets.

Note: An altered pet is a healthier ,more content, gentle and affectionate pet. (80% of pets hit by cars are un-neutered males)

EXPENSE

• Expense to upgrade shelter,

vehicles & equipment has been high.

• There has been no financial

support from the towns for these services.

• Annual dog license revenue

collected has been less than $20,000 less than 15% of the operating costs.

Needs/Issues Related to County Animal Control

• State legislation can impose civil

penalties for poor shelter conditions (HB 1514 effective 07/01/01).

• Building rehabilitation efforts (e.g.

electrical upgrades,office additions,plumbing,epoxy cover, HVAC,etc.) have resulted in marginal improvements due to the age and and type of construction of the current facility.

Needs/Issues (cont.)

• Evaluating staffing needs for

workload management.

• Controlling airborne illnesses due

to large number of unvaccinated strays brought to facility.

• Recovering costs operations at

shelter through fees.

• Enhancing public perception of

animal shelter facility.

Needs/Issues (cont.)

• Encouraging volunteer contribution

and private giving.

• Balancing increased demands on the

animal control officers due to the dog control ordinance and the rise of vicious dogs(e.g. chows,pit bulls,rotwillers, etc..) against adequate shelter maintenance.

• Providing adequate kennels to hold

dogs with high potential for adoption.

Capital Investment Alternatives

• Alternative 1: Remodel existing

shelter(appox. 1,200sq.ft.) and expand facility and operations on current site.

– Shelter expansion would include: a

minimum of 16 kennel runs,reception/adoption/education (multi-purpose) room, staff offices,storage and corridor.

• Alternative 2: Build a new, more

publicly visible and accessible shelter.

Remodel / Expand - advantages

• County already owns site, • public is knowledgeable of

location,

• public sewer is available, • site is central to county-wide

accessibility,

• animal noise does not create

a neighborhood nuisance,

• ample security is provided

for human/animal safety

• Additional County resources

are next door in the event of an emergency.

• Existing shelter could be

used for:

– storage, – quarantine, – isolation units, – euthanasia, – peak occupancy – county garage overflow

needs.

Remodel:

Material Costs Estimates

• Non-porous flooring $3,000 • Existing repairs $3,000 • HVAC repairs $1,000 • Ventilation/Air Purification $2,500 • Cleaning System $3,000 • Noise Control $3,000 • Euthanasia Chamber $200 • Storage $4,000 • Kennel Equipment(misc.) $3,000 • Labor

$25,000 Total: $47,700

Expansion:

• 2,100 sq.ft. @ $65/sq.ft. =

$136,500 for addition at same location of modular construction.

• Total Cost of Onsite

Expansion: $184,200

Alternative 2: Build

• (minimum 16 kennel) shelter.

New shelter - advantages

• modern/accessible shelter • increase adoption of pets • reduce unnecessary euthanasia • increase shelter cleanliness • reduce risk of illness/disease • reduce veterinarian expenses • increase staff productivity • increase operating efficiencies.

New shelter cost:

• 3,100 sq.ft. @

$65/sq.ft.=$201,500

Recommendations: • Set a five-year time period to make

improvements.

• Appoint a citizens advisory committee

to assist with a study of an appropriate shelter upgrade.

• Seek the input and financial support of

all stakeholders in an improved animal shelter.

• Match the shelter design to an

effective animal control staffing and management program.

Ideas and Resources

• Cooperative relationship with surrounding

jurisdictions

• “Special animal adoption events in the park” • Cost Recovery on reclaimed and adopted pets • “One stop” licensing clinics with

vaccination/spay/neuter

• Foundation/charity grant programs • Endowment and/or planned giving trust fund for

capital expenditures

• Assistance from the Virginia/Maryland School of

Veterinary Medicine at Va. Tech

• Privatization

Five Additional Regional Strategies to Pet Overpopulation:



Educate and Inform



Promote Spaying and Neutering



Encourage stable homes for unwanted pets



Increase adoption rates for companion animals



Provide incentives and enforcement