February 4, 2016 Bill Wolf Presentation to

Committee of the Whole
2/4/16
8:30 – 9:15 AM
Animal Control Update
It’s too soon to accurately
predict future use of
contingency, but at this
point in the project, the
budgeted contingency will
cover the modifications.
My purpose this morning is to continue the discussion of Berrien County
Animal Control, but in a different context…
WHAT MIGHT WE ASK OF THE MANY ANIMAL WELFARE GROUPS IN
BERRIEN COUNTY TO ASSIST US IN REDUCING THE NUMBER OF
COMPANION ANIMALS EUTHANIZED IN OUR SHELTER EVEN
MORE?
Carbon Monoxide Update
Call To Action on Gas Chamber Legislation
We have been
successful in
eliminating the gas
chamber from all
Michigan shelters.
However, we have no
assurance that they
won't return unless
we have a law that
prohibits them. Let's
take a final stand and
get that law passed!
If you would like your
position known in
support of banning
the gas chamber permanently in Michigan, and you represent
a shelter, humane society, rescue or animal welfare
organization, we will list you and your organization on a letter
to be provided to state legislators indicating your support of
S.B.403 banning the gas chamber in Michigan.
To have your organization listed, sign up
by February 14 here or at
michigandersforshelterpets.org/wesupport-s-b-403/
One entry per organization, please.
Below is a copy of the brief letter that will be sent:
February 14, 2016
We the undersigned Michigan animal shelters, humane
societies, rescues and animal welfare organizations
fully support S.B. 403 and its language as written. We
urge its swift passage by the Michigan legislature in
order to protect all of our state's shelter pets from
outdated, costly and inhumane euthanasia by gas
This is unchanged from what was considered by
you on August 27th, 2015 and passed with the
additional language terminating the use of the gas
chamber.
Michiganders for Shelter Pets
Michiganders for Shelters Pets was created to help bring together Michigan voters,
animal shelters, animal protection organizations, businesses and professionals in a
coordinated effort to advance the welfare of Michigan shelter pets.
…but what organization sent the email?
Michigan Pet Fund Alliance
Ending the killing of Michigan’s homeless healthy and treatable dogs & cats.
What is No Kill
No Kill defines a movement and a life-affirming philosophy. It is a practice where
the true definition of euthanasia – an act of mercy – is reserved only for cats and
dogs that are too sick/injured to be treated or too aggressive to be suitably rehomed.
It is a term which describes a 21st century approach to animal sheltering, employing
best practices, business models, collaboration and partnerships. It is a sheltering
approached which is supported by 71% of Americans. No Kill is NOT more
expensive. It is cost-effective and fiscally responsible.
Michigan Pet Fund Alliance Website
The No-Kill Equation (Michigan Pet Fund Alliance Website)
INHERENT WEAKNESSES IN A COUNTY OPERATED
DOG AND COMPANION ANIMAL SHELTER
Shelter/Rescue Group Collaboration
Foster Care
Medical and Behavior Programs
The No-Kill Equation (Michigan Pet Fund Alliance Website)
How to save at least 90 percent: Berrien is at 76% now!
1. High-Volume, Low-Cost Spay/Neuter
This will quickly lead to fewer animals entering the shelter system, allowing more resources
to be allocated toward saving lives.
2. Shelter/Rescue Group Collaboration
An adoption or transfer to a rescue group frees up limited cage space, reduces expenses for
feeding, cleaning, medical treatment, and killing, and improves a community’s rate of
lifesaving.
3. Foster Care
Using volunteers for foster care is a low- or no-cost way of increasing a shelter’s capacity,
improving public relations, rehabilitating sick, injured, or behaviorally challenged animals,
and saving lives.
4. Comprehensive Adoption Programs
Adoption programs responsive to community needs, such as accessible hours, off-site
adoptions, adoption incentives, and effective marketing, can replace killing with adoptions.
5. Pet Retention
Saving animals requires shelters to develop innovative strategies, such as counseling and
resource referrals, for keeping people and their companion animals together. Preventing
owner surrenders reduces the number of animals that a shelter must re-home.
The No-Kill Equation (Michigan Pet Fund Alliance Website)
7. Medical and Behavior Programs
A shelter must implement comprehensive vaccination, handling, cleaning, socialization, and
care policies for healthy animals, as well as rehabilitative efforts for those who come in sick,
injured, unweaned, or traumatized.
8. Public Relations/Community Involvement
Increasing adoptions, maximizing donations, recruiting volunteers, and partnering with
community organizations are all dependent on a shelter’s consistent public relations and
marketing, which are the foundation of a shelter’s activities and success.
9. Volunteers
In most shelters, there are never enough staff or enough funds to hire more staff. That is
where volunteers come in, making the difference between success and failure and, for the
animals, life and death.
10. Proactive Redemptions
Also known as Return to Owner, this is one of the most overlooked ways to reduce killing in
animal shelters. Proactive programs to reunite lost pets with their owners reduce the number
of animals that must be cared for or placed in adoptive homes.
11. Effective, Compassionate Leadership
A hard-working, compassionate leader who is committed to implementing the other 10
programs is key to the success of No Kill.
Dog Statistics (2014)
Dog Statistics (2014)
Berrien County
County
BERRIEN
BERRIEN
Shelter Operator
County
Humane Society of SW Michigan
Shelter
Intake
1,286
208
Shelter
Adoptions
349
206
Transferred
to
Returned to Registered
Owner
Shelters
332
1
13
1
Shelter
Animal
Euthanized
(Excludes
Owner
Requested)
231
15
Shelter
Adoption
Rate (Intake owner
requested returns div.
Owner
by adoptions
Shelter
Requested
and
Euthanized
Euthanized
transfers)
Rate
327
55.8%
24.2%
0
106.2%
7.7%
Dog Statistics (2014)
Adoption Rates
County
KALAMAZOO
MACOMB
BARRY
ST. JOSEPH
JACKSON
INGHAM
GENESEE
BERRIEN
VAN BUREN
CASS
KENT
BRANCH
OTTAWA
ALLEGAN
CALHOUN
MUSKEGON
Shelter Operator
County
County
County
County
County
County
County
County
County
County
County
Humane Society of Branch County
Harbor Humane Society
Wishbone Pet Rescue Alliance
Calhoun County Animal Center, Inc.
Pound Buddies Rescue
Shelter
Intake
1,142
1,092
805
526
1,082
1,339
2,101
1,286
509
632
2,590
280
879
649
1,162
1,676
Shelter
Adoptions
331
434
467
161
356
519
572
349
27
187
442
271
400
300
514
543
Includes Transfers
Transferred
to
Returned to Registered
Owner
Shelters
403
196
443
15
204
87
150
143
252
140
369
21
203
264
332
1
175
119
167
1
638
149
6
12
261
200
191
111
408
60
438
290
Shelter
Animal
Euthanized
(Excludes
Owner
Requested)
212
200
26
71
273
330
660
231
118
253
1,189
3
34
68
93
389
Shelter
Adoption
Rate (Intake owner
requested returns div.
Owner
by adoptions
Requested
and
Euthanized
transfers)
445
NA
294
NA
92.2%
32
88.4%
0
59.8%
52
58.8%
439
57.3%
327
55.8%
63
53.9%
18
42.1%
291
35.6%
0
NA
7
98.2%
2
90.1%
34
79.7%
76
71.7%
Dog Statistics (2014)
Shelter Euthanized Rate
County
BARRY
ST. JOSEPH
BERRIEN
KALAMAZOO
MACOMB
JACKSON
INGHAM
GENESEE
VAN BUREN
CASS
KENT
BRANCH
OTTAWA
CALHOUN
ALLEGAN
MUSKEGON
Shelter Operator
County
County
County
County
County
County
County
County
County
County
County
Humane Society of Branch County
Harbor Humane Society
Calhoun County Animal Center, Inc.
Wishbone Pet Rescue Alliance
Pound Buddies Rescue
Shelter
Intake
805
526
1,286
1,142
1,092
1,082
1,339
2,101
509
632
2,590
280
879
1,162
649
1,676
Shelter
Adoptions
467
161
349
331
434
356
519
572
27
187
442
271
400
514
300
543
Excludes Owner
Requested
Transferred
to
Returned to Registered
Owner
Shelters
204
87
150
143
332
1
403
196
443
15
252
140
369
21
203
264
175
119
167
1
638
149
6
12
261
200
408
60
191
111
438
290
Shelter
Animal
Euthanized
(Excludes
Owner
Requested)
26
71
231
212
200
273
330
660
118
253
1,189
3
34
93
68
389
Shelter
Euthanized
Rate
4.3%
18.9%
24.2%
28.7%
30.8%
32.9%
34.0%
34.8%
35.3%
54.4%
60.9%
1.1%
5.5%
12.3%
14.8%
31.4%
How to save at least 90 percent:
The No-Kill Equation (Michigan Pet Fund Alliance Website)
Dog Statistics (2014)
Transfers to Registered Shelters
Per MCL 287.331a, “Adoption” means a transfer of
ownership to an individual for the purpose of being
their companion animal.
Per MCL 287.338a(7), shelter animals may ONLY
be transferred to other REGISTERED SHELTERS,
law enforcement agencies, and certain service
organization.
All other transactions are
ADOPTIONS.
Dog Statistics (2014)
Note that most
larger counties
have an
assortment of
“REGISTERED
SHELTERS” to
transfer their
injured, sick,
and “suspect”
breeds to.
Note: I’ve “hidden”
those shelters
exclusively maintained
for cats.
Transferred
to
Returned to Registered
Owner
Shelters
332
1
13
1
Shelter
Animal
Euthanized
(Excludes
Owner
Requested)
231
15
Shelter
Euthanized
Rate
24.2%
7.7%
Shelter
Intake
1,286
208
Shelter
Adoptions
349
206
280
271
6
12
3
1.1%
1,162
53
174
514
0
121
408
28
6
60
0
28
93
1
13
12.3%
4.0%
7.7%
632
187
167
1
253
54.4%
County
BERRIEN
BERRIEN
Shelter Operator
County
Humane Society of SW Michigan
BRANCH
Humane Society of Branch County
CALHOUN
CALHOUN
CALHOUN
Calhoun County Animal Center, Inc.
Irwin Ave Animal Hospital PLLC
Humane Society of South Central MI
CASS
County
GENESEE
GENESEE
GENESEE
County
Humane Society of Genesee County
Adopt A Pet
2,101
1,080
640
572
783
622
203
82
2
264
0
0
660
203
1
34.8%
20.3%
0.2%
INGHAM
INGHAM
County
Capital Area Humane Society
1,339
1,770
519
1,459
369
57
21
50
330
111
34.0%
6.5%
JACKSON
County
1,082
356
252
140
273
32.9%
KALAMAZOO
KALAMAZOO
KALAMAZOO
KALAMAZOO
KALAMAZOO
County
SPCA
Animal Rescue Project
Kalamazoo Animal Rescue
Canine Safe Harbor (KL Kennels)
1,142
606
495
244
158
331
606
424
124
158
403
0
0
1
0
196
0
4
0
2
212
2
13
1
3
28.7%
0.3%
2.6%
0.4%
NA
KENT
KENT
KENT
KENT
County
Humane Society of West MI
Vicky's Pet Connection
Cascade Hospital for Animals
2,590
1280
47
4
442
768
43
4
638
44
0
1
149
17
0
0
1,189
206
4
0
60.9%
16.7%
8.5%
0.0%
MACOMB
MACOMB
MACOMB
MACOMB
MACOMB
County
Animal Care Hospital of Sterling Heights
Humane Society of Macomb
City of Warren Animal Control
Sterling Heights Police Department
1,092
300
475
317
153
434
71
235
0
0
443
77
127
45
27
15
0
1
272
109
200
44
144
0
0
30.8%
19.7%
41.4%
0.0%
0.0%
MUSKEGON
MUSKEGON
MUSKEGON
Pound Buddies Rescue
Noah Project
Humane Society & Animal Rescue
1,676
159
76
543
160
83
438
2
3
290
0
0
389
1
0
31.4%
0.6%
0.0%
OTTAWA
OTTAWA
Harbor Humane Society
BestPals Animal Rescue Center
879
12
400
11
261
0
200
0
34
0
5.5%
0.0%
ST. JOSEPH
County
526
161
150
143
71
18.9%
VAN BUREN
County
509
27
175
119
118
35.3%
INHERENT WEAKNESSES IN A COUNTY OPERATED
DOG AND COMPANION ANIMAL SHELTER
Shelter/Rescue Group Collaboration
Only one other registered shelter in Berrien County.
Foster Care
Requires transfer of ownership for the purpose of being a
companion animal.
Medical and Behavior Programs
The new shelter will move us towards this goal; however, there will always be
significant financial restrictions on providing behavioral and medical services
to animals. Again, this would be an appreciated role for a registered shelter
run on donations (not tax dollars).
My suggestion to you as the County Board is to make it clear that we share
the concern about the life, and quality of life, of companion animals, but as
a County we have limitations. Our partners who share that concern--the
local animal welfare organizations—could assist us if they would focus on
improving their own operations to include developing registered shelters
in order to accept:
•
Injured and sick animals requiring medical/behavioral attention
greater than what tax dollars can be reasonably used for.
•
Those animal like pit bulls which are suspect, but have not exhibited
aggressive behavior, thereby relieving the County of that liability.
BCAC will continue to run its own adoption programs and will never
intentionally adopt out or transfer any animal that poses a risk to the
public—but having the cooperation by registered shelters for the above
activities would certainly move us closer to the 90% “NO KILL” goal.