DOMESTIC ANIMAL SERVICES STRATEGIC PLANNING PRESENTATION

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DOMESTIC ANIMAL SERVICES STRATEGIC
PLANNINGPRESENTATION

• November 4, 2009
• Lee County Board of County Commissioners Chambers
• Presented by Donna Ward, Director
• Lee County Domestic Animal Services

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Human-Animal Bond

• For over 32,000 years humans have depicted
  animals in drawings, celebrations and ceremonies
• Over 5,000 years ago humans began domesticating
  animals allowing animal husbandry and selective
  breeding leading to the belief that animals were
  placed on this planet exclusively for human use
• Today animals have become our companions and our
  children sharing much of our daily lives with
  them
• There are more dogs in the United States than
  people in Europe
• There are more cats than dogs in the United
  States
• Americans spend more annually on pet food than
  baby food
• More American families have pets than have
  children
• With an estimated 53 million dogs, 60 million
  cats and 13 million birds in U.S. households it
  is easy to see the level of commitment to the
  human-animal bond in our society.

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MISSION STATEMENT

• Lee County Domestic Animal Services is a
• tax-funded government domestic stray
• animal control agency dedicated to
• Ensuring public safety and health
• Providing education on responsible pet ownership
  and compliance of local ordinances and State
  Statutes relating to animals
• Reducing pet overpopulation through non-lethal
  humane methods
• Strengthening the human-animal bond to reduce the
  number of animals surrendered to overcrowded
  shelters
• Reuniting lost and missing pets with rightful
  owners and
• Adoption of unwanted, abused and neglected
  animals into loving, permanent homes.

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CORE PROGRAMS SERVICES

• ENSURING PUBLIC SAFETY AND HEALTH
• Animal Control and Enforcement Statistics
• Total Calls Total Field Responses
• FY 05-06 NA 19,267
• FY 06-07 NA 21,892
• FY 07-08 50,000 24,000
• FY 08-09 56,996 17,273
• New call center telecommunications system
  installed in 2007 monitors number of incoming
  calls. This data was unavailable prior to 2007.
  
• Reduction in call volume in FY 08-09 is
  attributed to returning to core level of services
  with discontinuation of officers responding to
  wildlife, deceased animals, state mandated rabies
  administration program and quarantine of owned
  animals.
• First offenses for barking and at large
  complaints received by anonymous callers result
  in written notification by mail to owners with
  any second or subsequent complaints investigated
  in person by an officer.
• Community volunteers assist and investigate
  outdoor and feral cat complaints so officers may
  focus on more serious responses such as dangerous
  animals and ordinance violations.
• Field operations provide animal control and
  enforcement coverage 24/7, 365 days a year
  including holidays for Lee County unincorporated
  and incorporated cities of Cape Coral, Bonita
  Springs, Fort Myers and the Town of Ft. Myers
  Beach.

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CORE LEVEL OF SERVICE

• Citations Issued to Achieve Compliance
• FY 05-06 1,362
• FY 06-07 1,863
• FY 07-08 1,687
• FY 08-09 4,582

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CORE PROGRAMS SERVICES
Low-Cost Public Assistance and Shelter Animal
Sterilization Program Statistics

• FY 04-05 2,512
• FY 05-06 2,913
• FY 06-07 3,106
• FY 07-08 5,395
• FY 08-09 5,498
• LCDAS currently operates with one full-time
  in-house shelter veterinarian and one part-time
  contracted veterinarian to provide low-cost
  sterilization services for adopted shelter
  animals and the public assistance low-cost
  sterilization program available for Lee County
  residents. This program is subsidized by pet
  licensing revenues.
• In late 2010 a 4,000 square-foot expansion is
  planned for a new veterinary center to increase
  capacity, maximize the number the surgeries able
  to be performed with adequate capacity and reduce
  the spread of communicable diseases with the
  separation of shelter and public animals.

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PET LICENSING HISTORY

• Revenues Expenses
• FY 04-05 764,608.50 366,852.63
• FY 05-06 798,051.50 668,680.64
• FY 06-07 956,081.87 453,001.11
• FY 07-08 828,723.56 660,890.18
• FY 08-09 781,759.25 761,793.81
• FY 08-09 revenues include 35,000 in grants
  received for low-cost public sterilization
  programs.

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CORE PROGRAMS SERVICES

• Foster
• Program
• The Foster Program, implemented in May 2008,
  provides temporary foster care by the public for
  shelter
• animals with
• Treatable illness or injury
• Underage animals too young for adoption and
• Abused and/or neglected animals requiring
  socialization to prepare them for adoption.
• This program has been vital to reducing the
  euthanasia rates of adoptable animals since its
  inception.
• LCDAS provides all necessary food, veterinary
  care and medications. The foster family provides
  a stable, loving environment for the animal until
  it is ready for permanent adoption.
• LCDAS currently has over 90 foster families
  participating in this program.

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CORE PROGRAMS SERVICES

• Community Pet Pantry
• The Community Pet Pantry Program, implemented in
  May 2008, has reduced intake and euthanasia rates
  by keeping pets in loving homes rather than
  surrendering to over-crowded shelters.
• All food and supplies are donated by the public
  and does not require any expenses by the agency
  to offer this program.
• Currently, 803 animals owned by 172 pet owners
  benefit from this program.

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CORE PROGRAMS SERVICES

• Cell Dogs Program
• The Lee County Cell Dogs Program is a unique
  partnership between Lee County Domestic Animal
  Services and the Lee County Sheriffs Office.
• The Cell Dogs Program places homeless shelter
  dogs to be obedience trained by carefully
  selected inmates. Each animal has one primary
  inmate trainer and at least one secondary inmate
  trainer.
• This program has also been expanded to include
  fostering of dogs as well as training.

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CORE PROGRAMS SERVICES

• Pet Placement Partnership
• CATS DOGS
• FY 04-05 29 57
• FY 05-06 19 61
• FY 06-07 83 45
• FY 07-08 5 82
• FY 08-09 15 107
• Lee County Domestic Animal
• Services partners with a network of
• pet placement partners to transfer
• animals into permanent, loving
• homes.

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CORE PROGRAMS SERVICES

• TRAP, NEUTER, AND RETURN (TNR) PROGRAM
• (implemented 03/24/09)
• Euthanized Sterilized
• FY 04-05 1,460 0
• FY 05-06 1,650 0
• FY 06-07 1,806 0
• FY 07-08 2,178 0
• FY 08-09 1,793 492
• Since the inception of the Trap, Neuter and
  Return Program (TNR), euthanasia rates for feral
  cats has been reduced by 45 from March through
  September 2009.
• Statistical data since 2004 demonstrates
  eradication was ineffective in reducing feral cat
  population with intake/euthanasia continuing to
  escalate each year.
• The inception of the TNR Program has proven
  successful in reducing feral cat population with
  a more humane non-lethal and cost-saving solution
  supported by our community and taxpayers.

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CORE PROGRAMS SERVICES
PET BEHAVIOR HOTLINE AND PET TRAINING SEMINARS

• Pet Behavior Hotline and Training Consultations
  are provided by volunteer Lyn Morningstar of
  Morningstar Dog Training.
• Lyn provides helpful tips and training for
  correctable pet behavioral problems to keep pets
  in homes rather than surrendered to overcrowded
  shelters.
• Lyn volunteers to train shelter dogs to increase
  their chances of adoption.

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CORE PROGRAMS SERVICES
ANIMAL CARE TRUST FUND

• The Animal Care Trust Fund provides veterinary
  care for sick and injured shelter animals and for
  animals owned by Lee County residents qualifying
  for public assistance programs.
• The trust fund also provided in FY 08-09 new pet
  beds to enrich shelter animal comfort for pets
  awaiting adoption. This program is funded solely
  by tax-deductible donations received by the
  public.
• In FY 08-09 the Animal Care Trust Fund (ACTF)
  provided necessary veterinary care and treatment
  for 1,294 animals owned by Lee County residents.
• Total donations received in FY 08-09 were 69,116
  with expenses of 34,284.

Before
After
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CORE PROGRAMS SERVICES
MICROCHIP CLINICS

• LCDAS sponsors Low-Cost Microchip Clinics to
  increase return to owner rates (currently at 13)
  and reduce euthanasia rates.
• Collars and tags can be easily removed whereby
  microchips are a permanent form of identification
  ensuring safe and immediate return of pets to
  rightful owners.
• LCDAS microchips an average of 6,000 animals
  annually.

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CORE PROGRAMS SERVICES

• VOLUNTEER
• PROGRAM
• LCDAS relies heavily upon volunteers to provide
  exercise and socialization of shelter pets they
  would not otherwise receive with limited
  staffing.
• Adoption statistics increase when volunteers are
  present in the adoption center promoting
  adoptable animals to the public.
• Volunteers also perform other valuable services
  such as assisting with fundraising and off-site
  adoption events, grooming, clerical and data
  entry assignments.
• The program currently has 60 volunteers donating
  over 4,500 volunteer hours during FY 08-09.

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CORE PROGRAMS SERVICES

• MANDATORY PET EVACUATION SHELTER
• Pet-friendly shelters, manned by LCDAS staff, are
  available for residents and their pets displaced
  during a natural or man-made disaster.
• The shelters may be located at South Ft. Myers
  and East Lee High School or other locations
  deemed appropriate.
• These shelters were established to ensure that
  pets are not abandoned, left behind or residents
  remain in an unsafe situation because they cannot
  leave their pets behind.
• LCDAS is also responsible for manning their
  facility at Banner Drive during a natural or
  man-made disaster to ensure the safety of Lee
  Countys stray pets.

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CORE PROGRAMS SERVICES

• BARN BUDDY PROGRAM
• Recognizing domestic cats and dogs may not always
  acclimate into an indoor home setting the Barn
  Buddy Program was implemented.
• This program allows cats and dogs to be adopted
  into an outdoor environment such as a farm that
  increases adoptions while reducing euthanasia.

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CORE PROGRAMS SERVICES
ADOPTION PROGRAM
Cats Dogs Total
FY 04-05 1,013 1,873 2,886FY 05-06
959 2,188 3,147FY 06-07 962 2,258 3,220FY
07-08 927 1,798 2,725FY 08-09
902 1,646 2,548

• LCDAS encourages adoption of unclaimed animals
  and also provides a ten-day pet health guarantee
  to ensure adoption of healthy animals for our
  public.
• During FY 08-09, adoption of cats declined by
  2.7 and dog adoptions declined 8.5 with an
  overall adoption decline of 11. These declines
  are most likely due to poor economic conditions.
• Only 13 of animals are reclaimed by owners while
  27 of the total incoming animals are adopted
  into permanent homes.

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ANIMAL INTAKE STATISTICS

• DOGS
• Stray Owner Surrender Cruelty Other
  Agency Total
• FY 04-05 4,258 2,130 370 64 6,822
• FY 05-06 4,561 2,269 607 46 7,483
• FY 06-07 4,408 2,189 640 1 7,238
• FY 07-08 3,807 1,463 633 4 5,907
• FY 08-09 3,708 464 243 0 4,415
• FY 08-09 resulted in 25.2 reduction in overall
  dog intake statistics.
• CATS
• Stray Owner Surrender Cruelty Other
  Agency Total
• 2004-2005 4,477 3,302 90 35 7,904
• 2005-2006 4,553 2,964 131 20 7,668
• 2006-2007 5,166 2,923 170 4 8,263
• 2007-2008 5,555 1,730 237 0 7,522
• 2008-2009 4,578 422 90 0 5,090

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ANIMAL OUTCOME STATISTICS

• DOGS
• Adoption
  Return to Owner Euthanasia Rescue
• FY 04-05 1,873 1,166
  3,705 57
• FY 05-06 2,188 1,305 3,887
  61
• FY 06-07 2,258 1,270
  3,627 45
• FY 07-08 1,798 1,225 2,853
  82
• FY 08-09 1,646 844 1,820
  107
• FY 08-09 adoptions declined 8.5 return to owner
  rates declined by 31.1
• euthanasia rates declined by 36.2 and
  rescue rates increased by 76.
• CATS
• Adoption
  Return to Owner Euthanasia Rescue
• FY 04-05 1,013 95
  6,660 29
• FY 05-06 959 74
  6,531 19
• FY 06-07 962 98
  6,963 19
• FY 07-08 927 91
  6,318 12

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EUTHANASIA CATEGORIESNote Euthanasia
Categories Revised and Effective 10/01/08

• FY 04-05 FY 05-06 FY
  06-07 FY-07-08 FY 08-09
• CATS
• Behavior 849 571 563 444 478
• Bite Case 105 142 132 124 55
• Excess Breed NA NA NA 0
  0
• Feral 1,460 1,650 1,806 2,179 1,492
• Owner Request 2,640 2,318 2,251 1,303 5
• Medical 759 1,080 1,444 1,847 1,897
• Medical No Foster NA NA NA 1
  82
• Space 209 200 92 27 15
• Underage 638 570 675 392 0
• DOA 0 0 0 0
  1
• TOTAL 6,660 6,531 6,963 6,317 4,025
• DOGS
• Behavior 1,666 1,473 1,307 1,002 762
• Bite Case 163 200 191 158 57
• Excess Breed NA NA NA NA 230
• Feral 5 5 10 22
  10

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ADOPTED BUDGET(Five-Year Expense History)

• FY 08-09 3,959,813
• FY 07-08 4,106,124
• FY 06-07 4,309,227
• FY 05-06 4,136,724
• FY 04-05 3,444,375
• FY 08-09 reduction in expenses attributed to
  department restructuring and elimination of two
  exempt positions.
• The Kennel and Field Operations Manager exempt
  positions was combined with one position of
  Operations Manager that supervises both kennel
  and field operations.
• The Administrative Support Specialist exempt
  position was eliminated as these duties were
  combined with current Office Manager position.

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ADOPTED BUDGET(Five-Year Revenue History)

• FY 08-09 3,046,000
• FY 07-08 2,882,500
• FY 06-07 2,606,602
• FY 05-06 2,138,029
• FY 04-05 1,866,783

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STAFFING LEVELS

• FY 04-05 37
• FY 05-06 44
• FY 06-07 43
• FY 07-08 46
• FY 08-09 46
• FY 09-10 45
• In FY 08-09 the kennel manager and
• administrative support specialist positions
• were eliminated as cost-saving measures.
  

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WHERE ARE WE TODAY?

• FY 09-10 Budget
• Revenues 2,360,128
• Expenses 3,689,142
• FY 09-10 Approved Positions and Current Vacancies
• 45 Approved Positions
• 3 Vacancies (Two Animal Control Officers and
  One Veterinarian)
• Major Issues Affecting Department
• Continuing to meet the growing needs of the
  public for veterinary services during difficult
  economic conditions necessary for LCDAS to reduce
  animal intake and euthanasia statistics
• Attracting and Retaining Licensed Veterinarians
  to support vital programs and services for
  necessary low-cost public veterinary programs and
  also to ensure healthy shelter animal population
  at all times
• Growing call volume of 9 to 11 annually for
  officer field activities without future
  additional staffing
• Increasing Community Support and Participation in
  Outreach Programs and Services to serve agency
  mission statement
• Reduced Pet Licensing and Adoption Revenues
  attributed to current economic conditions
• Reduction in the number of adoptions due to poor
  economic conditions and declining market
  greater need for innovative, creative adoption
  promotions and advertising
• Employee burnout and turnover related to working
  in highly traumatic and emotionally challenged
  work environment due to euthanasia
  responsibilities, animal cruelty, negative public
  stigma working in a kill shelter and dealing
  with, at times, difficult and abusive customers.

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WHERE ARE WE GOING?

• Three-Year
  Revenue/Expense Projections
• Revenue Expense
• FY 09-10 2,360,128 3,689,142
• FY 10-11 2,360,128 3,689,142
• FY 11-12 2,430,932 3,578,468
• Reduction in expenses attributed to reduced
  animal intake through continued aggressive
  sterilization programs specifically targeting
  feline outdoor feral population.

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OPTIONS FOR PROGRAM REDUCTIONS AND NEW OR
ENHANCED REVENUES

• No Program Reductions for FY 09-10
• Programs and services offered by LCDAS are
  supported by the generosity of our community
  through monetary tax-deductible and in-kinds
  donations. These programs include the
  Community Pet Pantry, Foster Program, Animal Care
  Trust Fund, Pet Behavior Hotline, and
  Training Seminars.
• The Low-Cost Public Assistance Sterilization
  Program expenses are offset by the
  collection of pet licensing fees and outside
  grants.
• New or Enhanced Revenues for FY 09-10
• Citation Compliance Fees revenues are
  approximately 2,500 per month or 30,000
  annually.
• Capital Campaign Contributions various naming
  opportunities available from 100 to 250,000
  for permanent naming opportunities for new
  renovations to be completed in late 2010.

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ACTION REQUESTED FROM BOCC

• Agreement of Core Programs
• No changes to Core Programs in FY 09-10 as long
  as community support and pet licensing fees
  offset costs of community outreach programs.
• Proposed Future Reductions
• Five-Day Work Week (Currently Six-Day Work Week)
  could negatively impact adoption and RTO rates
  but reduce personnel costs. Prefer to rely more
  heavily upon Animal Care Trust Fund donations for
  operating expenses (e.g. vaccines and drugs, pet
  food, etc.)
• Fee Increases or New Fees
• Recommend no changes to external fee manual for
  FY 09-10.

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IT TAKES A VILLAGE

• Lee County Domestic Animal Services wishes to
  thank the following
• individuals who have contributed to our agencys
  success in working towards
• achieving our mission of ensuring a safe and
  compassionate community
• Lee County Board of County Commissioners
• Lee County Administration
• Lee County Domestic Animal Services Staff,
  Volunteers, Pet Placement Partners and Foster
  Families
• Donors
• Adopters
• Media
• Lee County Responsible Pet Owners
• LEE COUNTY DOMESTIC ANIMAL SERVICES . . .
• saving lives one pet at a time.