DEPARTMENT: Animal Care Services
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Kathy Davis
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: Citywide
SUBJECT:
Proposed Chapter 5 Ordinance Changes
SUMMARY:
This action authorizes the amendment of Chapter 5 of the City Code to allow the Animal Care Services Department (ACS) to reduce the required holding period for those pets that have a live outcome.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
In FY 2012, ACS began implementing its newly revised strategic plan by incorporating the three (3) strategic priorities of: enhanced enforcement, controlling the stray animal population, and increasing the Live Release rate. As evident in the drastic increase in the Live Release rate from 30% in FY 2011 to 77% in FY 2013, or in the increase in number of spay/neuter surgeries performed by ACS from 11,000 in FY 2012 to 17,500 in FY 2013, ACS continues to improve the services it provides to the community.
It is the anticipation of ACS to continue its success in FY 2014 through the implementation of innovative solutions. In particular, ACS anticipates focusing its efforts and resources in FY 2014 by: (1) enhancing field enforcement; (2) increasing community spay/neuter services; (3) maximizing kennel capacity, and (4) maintaining its successful Live Release program. The following initiative was presented to the City's Quality Life of Committee on the 15th of October and to the Animal Care Services Advisory Board on October 16th.
Chapter 5 of the City Code requires ACS to hold all healthy pets for a period of three (3) days, not including the day of impoundment, before the pet can be adopted, rescued, fostered, or humanely euthanized. On average, ACS is currently holding pets for a period of 6 days.
While the stray hold period allows time for the pet to be reunited with its owner or to find an individual to adopt/rescue, ACS frequently is required to hold the pet for additional time. For instance, as required by law, spay/neuter surgeries cannot b...
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