BC 2011 04 18 Regular - Laserfiche WebLink

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April 18, 2011 (Regular Meeting) Page 405 • A trained and organized volunteer organization • A properly trained and maintained foster home volunteer organization • Community education of the importance of spay & neuter, vaccination, heartworm prevention and pet care • Formal feral cat trap- neuter - return program • Low cost, high volume spay & neuter program that includes community outreach • Efficient and reliable pet retrieval and return process • A medical and behavioral pet evaluation matrix for shelter dogs and cats • A "DO NOT ADOPT TO" database • Comprehensive enforcement and investigation of animal cruelty complaints and Animal Control Community Outreach; WHEREAS, Several well- organized and qualified animal rescue organizations in Cabarrus County currently follow many of these principles and provide many of these programs; WHEREAS, The new organizational model will aggressively incorporate and engage all 501(c)(3) rescue organizations; NOW THEREFORE, THE CABARRUS BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS HEREBY RESOLVES AND DIRECTS THE FOLLOWING ACTIONS BE INITIATED IMMEDIATELY: 1. Any 501(c)(3) chartered rescue organization in good standing with Cabarrus County Animal Control will be allowed access to the Cabarrus County Animal Shelter for the purpose of adopting domestic animals. 2. The Cabarrus County Board of Commissioners will commence with the process to enter into a formal relationship with one or more rescue groups in the community to outsource its public animal shelter operations, based on criteria determined by the APPAC. 3. The APPAC will provide to the Cabarrus County Board of Commissioners: a. An evaluation matrix to be used to determine the adoptability of domestic animals that are processed and sheltered at the Cabarrus County Animal Shelter. b. Develop criteria to be used by Cabarrus County officials to define success for the community's Proactive Adoption Program. C. Going forward, to provide oversight to the community Proactive Adoption Program and insure all performance standards are being followed. Chairman White seconded the motion and discussion ensued.' Chairman White identified three (3) areas of concern: (1) funding issues for the program in general; (2) funding amount not to exceed $16,000.00; and (3) the Humane Society's willingness to take an active role in outsourcing and adopting more domestic animals. Commissioner Carruth reported salary data for the position is being gathered and will be provided at the May work session. He also commented on the Humane Society's ability to run the shelter is based on their organizational infrastructure. He also advised that some additional funding will likely be needed. Commissioner Measmer stated his preference to have concrete information (a.k.a. a formal request) before any resolution is adopted and noted the pet matrix has not been developed. Commissioner Carruth noted that in the meantime, animals will still be coming into the shelter and have to be dealt with somehow and that until the Commission takes action, the APPAC does not know which direction to head in. Discussion continued and it was noted that a formal agreement and other program details will be forthcoming. It was also noted that even a small contribution is burdensome on some citizens and that the fees and fines could be increased to raise revenue. Vice Chairman Poole noted that budget meetings have not been held yet and depending upon the outcome of those meeting, the tenants of the