Item C14
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY
MEETING DATE: May 20,2009
DIVISION: Public Works
BULK ITEM: Yes x No
DEPARTMENT: Animal Control
STAFF CONTACT PERSON/PHONE NO,: Beth Leto/292-4560
AGENDA ITEM WORDING: Approval to waive the $10,00 adoption fee for adult cats during the
month of June, 2009, in observation of Adopt-a-Cat Month,
ITEM BACKGROUND: June is Adopt-a-Cat Month, and there is usually a surge of cats in the
summer months due to the beginning of kitten season, The lower keys animal shelter
contractor has requested that the County waive the $10,00 adoption fee for adult cats during the
month of June, 2009, in an effort to increase adoptions, Animal rescue leagues and The
American Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) report that fee waivers have
helped increase traffic to animal shelters, adult cat adoptions, and adoptions in general. Using
an estimate of approximately 15 adult cat adoptions per shelter will result in approximately $600
in lost revenue; however, statistical data is already being kept, and if the waiver is approved,
staff will analyze the numbers and see if the waivers help increase adult cat and overall
adoption rates, The other shelter contractors do not oppose this idea,
PREVIOUS RELEVANT BOCC ACTION: Approval of Resolution No, 240-2006, as amended,
setting animal control fees,
STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Approval.
TOTAL COST: n/a
BUDGETED:
Yes:
No:
COST TO COUNTY:
Approx, $600 in lost revenue
REVENUE GENERATED: Yes
No x
APPROVED BY: County Atty:
OM B/Purchasing:
Risk Management:
DOCUMENTATION: INCLUDED: x
NOT REQUIRED:
DISPOSITION:
AGENDA ITEM #:
Anirnal Refuge League of Greater Portland
Waived Adoption Fees for Adult Cats
Faced with severe overcrowding in summer and fall,
the Animal Refuge League of Greater Portland, ME,
CARL) holds two promotions a year during which they
waive fees for cats over one year of age.
Stats
In 2006, the first year in which adoption fees for adult
cats were waived, ARl reported a 12% increase in cat
adoptions for the fee-waived months of June, July,
and August over the same time the previous year.
How Cool is That?
We love the way ARl demonstrates that, far from showing a lack of concern for cats, waived fee
promotions "come from a place of compassion" - a determination that wonderful animals will not
have to be euthanized because of a lack of cage space or because they become ill in an overcrowded
shelter.
Adopt or Adapt
Waiving adoption fees for adult cats can be implemented very quickly and begins saving lives
Instantly.
Another free resource for animal welfare professionals from www,ASPCAoro,orq
IS'CA
2 of 6
ASPCA Free Over Three Cat Promotion
"We are In this to find homes for animals. "
For nine days in September,
2008, the ASPCA Adoption
Center waived fees for all cats
over three years of age in a
highly publicized "Free Over
Three" promotion, Forty-nine
older cats went home. In
addition, the Adoption Center
saw dramatic increases in both
weekday traffic and adoptions
across the board.
"Free Over Three" was repeated
for two weekends In December
and is now being offered by New
York Oty Animal Care & Control
as well.
Stats
49 cats over three years of age were adopted over nine days (an increase of 226% over
September 2007).
Weekday traffic during the promotion increased by 60%.
Adoptions across the board increased by 30%.
How Cool is That?
We're impressed with the way the ASPCA Adoption Center's young and progressive shelter staff
embraced the free cat concept as soon as they saw data indicating that waiving fees did not
compromise the quality of placements.
Adopt or Adapt
Free cat promotions are very easy to implement and begin saving lives immediately.
Another free resource for animal welfare professionals from www.ASPCApro,orQ
/JS1CA
2 of 6
Companion to Alternate Version
RESOLUTION NO. 240 -2006
A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF
MONROE COUNTY~ FLORIDA~ REPEALING AND REPLACING
RESOLUTION NO. 261-2005 TO PROVIDE CHANGES TO DOG, CAT &
FERRET LICENSE FEES.
WHEREAS~ Resolution No. 261-2005 was passed by the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC)
to require the issuance of a dog license to correspond with the length of effectiveness of the rabies
vaccination actually administered; and
WHEREAS, the BOCC has passed Ordinance No. 006-2006 requiring licensure of dogs, cats and
ferrets; and
WHEREAS, the BOCC has determined that it is in the best interests of the public to change
Chapter 3 of the Monroe County Code to also require licensure of ferrets and to change the age at which
licenses are required to conform licensure to the State rabies vaccination laws; and
WHEREAS, the BOCe has determined that there is no public concern about the fact previously
found by the BaCe that calls for pick up of un-neutered and unsprayed dogs at large exceed such calls for
dogs who have been neutered or spayed; and
WHEREAS, it is desired to reduce the angst of pet owners who do not keep their pets from roaming
at large;
NOW, TBEREFORE~ BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF
MONROE COUNTY, that:
1. Resolution No. 261-2005 is hereby repealed.
2. Fees shall be collected for the following services as specified:
SERVICE FEE
A. Pick-up*:
(1) First Time $ 25
(2) Second Time $ 50
(3) Third and each additional time within a 12-month period $100
*The above pick-up fees shall be doubled if the animal picked up was not vaccinated for rabies_
(4) Unaltered animal at large fines! exemption license. If an unaltered animal comes into the
shelter, either by being picked up or brought in. there will be an additional $100 fine for the fact
that it is unaltered and that fine will be waived if owner or assigned caretaker agrees to alter the
animal prior to leaving the shelter.
B.
C.
D.
Boarding (per night)
Adoption
Disposal
$10
$10
$10
Revi!e Res. 261-2005
(Companion to Ord Amend 01)6..2006 Alternate VetSion App 621 06)
1
E. County License: PER YEAR II<
(1) Dogs:
(a) Animal is spayed/neutered or under 6months of age $10
(b) Animal is not spayed/neutered and 6 months of age or older 535
(2) Cats:
(a) Animal is spayed/neutered or under 6months of age $10
(b) Animal is not spayed/neutered and 6 months of age or older $35
(3) Ferrets:
56
(4) Replacement
$ 2
(5) Dogs and cats with microchips or other means of permanent identification and with registration
to the County Of a national identification service current to the owner, shall receive a $5
discount from the annual license fee.
* Licenses are to be issued on an annual basis. However, any three-year license previously issued
in confonnity to a three-year rabies vaccine and pursuant to Resolution 261-2005 shall remain in
effect until its natural expiration date.
F.
Dangerous Dog Certificate of Registration
(1) First year
(2) Annual Renewal
$100
$ 50
G. Litter Registration (per litter) $ 50
Litter registration is required before birtb. The owner of a pregnant ~imal shall be assessed a litter
fee of$50 for each litter. If the litter is not registered, there will be $100 fine for first offense, $250
fine for second offense, $500 fine on third offense. At the first offense, the fine of $ 100 will be
waived if owner/caretaker agrees to alter the litter and breeding mother.
Mayor McCoy
Mayor Spehar
Commissioner Neugent
Commissioner Patton
. etlBltQissioner Rice
,\/;'~f';<.~;: ' , .
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PASSED AND ADOPTED by the Board of County Commissioners of Monroe County, ~rida, at a
meeting of the Board held on the 21st.dayof June , 2006. a 0 ~ :!!
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Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
(S~l) .
At:te~~ DANNYL. KOLHAGE, Clerk
BYc?~~
Dep11ty Clerk
BOARD OF CO
OF MONROE CO
COMMISSIONERS
,FLORIDA
By:
R~ Res. 261.200'
(CooJpan.ion to Ord Amend 006.2006 Altamdc Vetllion App 6 2I 06)
2
Date