BC 2011 04 18 Regular - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

April 18, 2011 (Regular Meeting) Page 404 • In a growing community such as ours, the issue of stray and homeless animals is not going to go away; in fact, it is going to get bigger. Although all of these rescue organizations do tremendous things, the issue is bigger than any one organization, and needs coordination of all the groups to be successful. • Although the county has maintained an informal relationship with the Humane Society since the mid 90s, in providing space at the animal shelter for their operations, there has never been a formal relationship with the organization, to include performance standards and agreements on what we want to see happen in regards to animal adoptions in our community. • Tonight, the question before our board is a simple one. Given the facts stated in the resolution, we as a board of commissioners, in passing this resolution, are stating that the principles espoused here will be translated into the tenets that will guide the care and management of this population. It also states that we intend to develop a more formal agreement with the humane society, to include adopting formal performance measures for the program, and that we use the APPAC, which is made up of leading animal rescue advocates in our community to help do this. • Finally, we also will have a discussion at our May work session, and hopefully take action, to consider providing the funds to allow the humane society to hire a full -time director to manage and coordinate efforts regarding this community of stray and homeless animals in Cabarrus County. • I know we live in challenging times, and funds are tight. I was amazed to find out, however, how easy it would be to do this, and that absolutely minimal impact it would have on our residents. For the cost of funding a three year grant to the HS for hiring a director to run this program, the cost to the average homeowner, per year, would be less than 50 cents. Not $50, not $5, but 50 cents. I think in a community such as ours, if the single thing we can do is provide the funds at less than 50 cents per homeowner, then we will see savings, as the euthanasia rate is reduced, and likewise the cost. Commissioner Carruth read the following resolution and MOVED for its adoption: A Resolution to Establish a Proactive Adoption Community WHEREAS, Cabarrus County is a leader in public service innovation and delivery; WHEREAS, Cabarrus County has repeatedly been recognized for its strong regard for the volunteer efforts of its citizens to address community wide issues; WHEREAS, In accordance with NCGS 153A -442, county governments may "establish, equip, operate, and maintain" an animal shelter, which is regulated by the North Carolina Department of Agriculture; WHEREAS, That protection and care of animals is a legitimate and compelling public interest, as the killing of adoptable, domestic animals is a practice that should be brought to an end; WHEREAS, The existing county model for processing and adopting homeless and lost animals in the community is not adequate to keep up with the animal intake volume of a growing community; WHEREAS, Adoptable domestic animals will be determined by the Cabarrus County Pet Evaluation Matrix, and this matrix will also be used to determine the parameters for euthanizing domestic animals in the future; WHEREAS, The following principles and practices can achieve an acceptable adoption rate and potentially end the euthanasia of adoptable domestic animals: • A compassionate Proactive Adoption Program director who will implement community involvement initiatives • A "Proactive" pet adoption program • A rescue group network that is cooperative an supportive of the Proactive Adoption Program