HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolutions - 2013.03.06 - 20733MISCELLANEOUS RESOLUTION "3059
BY: Commissioners Janet Jackson, District #21 and Dave Woodward, District #19
IN RE: BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS — ADOPTION POLICY REFORM OF THE OAKLAND
COUNTY PET ADOPTION CENTER
To the Oakland County Board of Commissioners
Chairperson, Ladies and Gentlemen:
WHEREAS it is the goal of the Oakland Pet Adoption Center and the policy of the Oakland
County Board of Commissioners to provide an open admission no kill shelter for the homeless
cats and dogs in Oakland County and residents of Oakland County; and
WHEREAS policy reform can assist a shelter in achieving a no kill status; and
WHEREAS it is the desire of the Oakland County Board of Commissioners to establish policies
which assist the Oakland Pet Adoption Center in achieving a no kill status; and
WHEREAS the proven formula called the No Kill Equation requires a cooperative and
collaborative relationship between an open admission shelter and not for profit foster home
based rescue organizations that can better attend to special needs (age, medical condition,
behavior rehabilitation) of the animals that are difficult to address in a shelter environment; and
WHEREAS the No Kill Equation also includes a Trap, Neuter and Return program which is the
only proven successful approach to diminish and eventually eliminate feral cats, and
WHEREAS special need animals (age, medical condition, behavior rehabilitation) and feral cats
are often killed in shelters due to their requirement of additional/special attention; and
WHEREAS the killing of a cat or dog averages between $40 and $50 dollars in staffing,
equipment and disposal costs; and
WHEREAS when special need animals or feral cats are adopted/taken by a rescue organization
or placed within an existing colony it is not only a more humane alternative, it saves taxpayer
dollars; and
WHEREAS the spaying/neutering of animals performed at the shelter is very cost effective but
is a costly procedure for rescue organizations to have performed; and
WHEREAS spaying/neutering of homeless cats and dogs is the most effective preventative step
in reducing future shelter intake.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Oakland County Board of Commissioners
hereby establishes the following policies for the Oakland County Pet Adoption Center:
(1) No dog or cat that is determined to be either healthy or treatable by the shelter
veterinarian (not critically ill, or a danger to the community) shall be killed by the
shelter until the dog or cat is offered to all 501 (c) (3) animal rescue organizations
registered with Oakland County and following the Best Practices and Code of Ethics
(identified by the Michigan Pet Fund Alliance's Michigan Rescue Certification
Program), for a period of one calendar week upon first notification. All cats and dogs
adopted (transferred) in partnership to rescue organizations under this policy shall
have all fees waived and the animal will be spayed/neutered prior to transfer (unless
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medical conditions dictate otherwise in which case the rescue can return at a future
date for the spay/neuter procedure).
(2) No feral cat shall be accepted by the shelter. If a cat is found to be feral that has
been accepted by the shelter, the cat shall be spayed/neutered and integrated into
an existing colony within the OAKCATS program, transferred to a Barn Program or
integrated into any colony that the shelter establishes or maintains.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Oakland County Clerk/Register of Deeds is requested to
forward copies of this adopted resolution to Oakland County Executive, the Oakland County Pet
Adoption Center, the Michigan Pet Fund Alliance and the No Kill Advocacy Center.
Chair*rson, we rove 410 adoption ofiithe foregoing resolution.
Commissioner Dave -Woodward
District #19 District #21
bmnnissioner Janet son
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Resolution #13059 March 6, 2013
The Vice Chairperson referred the resolution to the Public Services Committee. There were no
objections.