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Adopt a resolution in recognition of April 11-17, 2021 as Animal Care and Control Appreciation Week in Solano County
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Published Notice Required? Yes ____ No _X _
Public Hearing Required? Yes ____ No _X _
DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION:
The Sheriff’s Office requests that the Board adopt a resolution in recognition of April 11-17, 2021 as Animal Care and Control Appreciation Week in Solano County.
SUMMARY:
The National Animal Care and Control Association (NACA) has designated the second full week in April as National Animal Care and Control Appreciation Week. This week of appreciation is designed to give recognition to the hard-working people of Animal Care and Control agencies across the country who dedicate themselves to protect the health and welfare of animals and pets that are rescued from injury, disease, abuse and starvation, as well as those who enforce animal control laws, protect the public from diseases such as rabies, and who educate the public on the proper care of the community’s pets.
In Solano County, a staff of more than 30 animal care specialists, contract veterinarians, animal control officers, clerical staff and numerous volunteers protect public safety, ensure humane treatment of animals, provide quality professional services to the public including microchipping, and spay and neuter and vaccination clinics. In addition, Animal Care and Control staff respond during emergencies in the community such as wildfires and floods where they work to ensure animals stay safe and reunite lost animals with their owners
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
The costs associated with preparing the agenda item are minimal and included in the Department’s FY2020/21 Adopted Budget. There is no additional impact to the County General Fund. The costs associated with preparation and purchase of the resolution materials and plaque are included in the Board’s FY2020/21 Adopted Budget.
DISCUSSION:
Animal Care provides animal care services at our shelter, located at 2510 Claybank Road in Fairfield, through the following activities: care, shelter and placement of stray and/or abandoned animals; spay and neutering of adoptable animals; and countywide dog licensing. Animal Care also provides the public with low-cost spay/neuter and low-cost vaccination services. They also respond to situations where domestic animals may be neglected or abused, or a dog or wild animal may have bitten or injured someone.
Animal Control provides animal control services and promotes responsible animal ownership through education and enforcement to the City of Vallejo and the unincorporated areas through patrols in areas of jurisdiction, enforcement of animal codes and regulations, and investigation of charges of animal abuse. Animal Control administers the countywide rabies control program that is legally mandated by the California Code of Regulations (CCR), Title 17 and CCR section 2606 and associated State regulations.
Recognizing April 11-17, 2021 as Animal Care and Control Appreciation Week in Solano County acknowledges the devotion and care provided to the animals brought to our shelter and encountered in the field. In 2020 alone,
• 820 animals were adopted to their “forever homes”
• 958 animals were turned over to nonprofit partners and partner shelters
• 941 lost animals were reunited with their owners
• 810 animal bites/exposures were investigated
• 39 cases of animal cruelty were investigated
In August of 2020, Animal Care and Control came together to help our community during the LNU Lightning Complex Fire when hundreds of cows, pigs, horses, cats and dogs were in danger. Animal Control Officers worked in the field assisting with rescue efforts and setting up and maintaining an offsite temporary livestock shelter at the Solano County Fairgrounds. The Animal Care facility provided safe housing for any animals that were evacuated or displaced by the fire. They worked side by side with the community to ensure owned animals went safely back to their original homes. In addition, Animal Care and Control assisted with mutual aid during the Butte Fire in October 2020.
Animal Care and Control staff’s dedication to the well-being of all animals in Solano County has resulted in the annual increase of the shelter live release rate from 39% in 2011 to 85% in 2020. These achievements are largely due to the dedication and passion of the Animal Care and Control staff and volunteers promoting adoptions and live releases of all the animals entrusted in their care. This dedication has led to strengthened partnerships with rescue organizations and increased opportunities to transfer animals to other shelters to fill adoption demand opportunities elsewhere by partnering with other California counties, as well as shelters in other states and Canada.
ALTERNATIVES:
The Board could choose not to adopt this resolution, however, that is not recommended as this is an opportunity to recognize and raise awareness of the dedicated professionals who perform animal care and control services in Solano County and thank them for their service.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
None.
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
APPROVE DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION