HomeMy WebLinkAbout14-128 Resolution 2014-021 Amending Animal Control License FeesCITY Of-
LADE LS1NOIRE
DREAM EXTREME-
REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR
AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: GRANT YATES, CITY MANAGER
DATE: MAY 13, 2014
SUBJECT: ANIMAL CONTROL REGIONAL COORDINATED
MARKETING PROGRAM AND ADOPTION OF
RESOLUTION NO. 2014 -021 AMENDING ANIMAL
CONTROL LICENSE FEES
Recommendation
It is recommended that the City Council:
1. Adopt the proposed Regional Coordinated Marketing Program including proposed
spay or neuter, micro - chipping and license fee incentive programs.
2. Adopt Resolution No. 2014 -021 amending animal control license fees.
Background
This year, the City is seeking ways to reduce its high costs for Animal Control Sheltering
and Field Services. The City budgeted $738,624 for fiscal year 2013 -2014. Options under
consideration include a regional marketing program, additional contracted animal control
hours and fee changes.
Last year, Animal Friends of the Valleys (AFV) took more than 9,000 cats and dogs into
the shelter. Of these, nearly 21 percent were euthanized. While both of these numbers
declined from 2012, they are still too high. The shelter is running close to or at capacity
regularly.
Currently, the agencies that make up the Southwest Communities Financing Authority
(SCFA) Joint Powers Authority (JPA) have individually promoted or informed their
communities about proactive animal control measures. In addition, AFV actively manages
Animal Control
May 13, 2014
Page 2 of 4
its own marketing campaign promoting responsible pet ownership throughout the
southwest region.
Last month, the SCFA Board of Directors (made up of representatives from each of the
JPA member agencies) approved a Regional Coordinated Marketing Program. The
program is designed to allow each city and the county to leverage their existing outreach
resources to raise public awareness and promote AFV services to end pet overpopulation
and save lives. Part of the program includes encouraging the City to have greater
cooperation with other rescue groups to increase adoption numbers and reduce
euthanasia. The City intends its progress and success with the rescue groups closely.
One outreach opportunity is to reach out to licensed pet owners with unaltered and /or
altered pets directly. However, if they are not licensed it is much more difficult to directly
communicate with them. In the City of Lake Elsinore, there are 5,499 licensed cats and
dogs, of which 4,777 are altered and 722 are unaltered.
In 2010, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 2010 -057 establishing incremental
increases in animal control fees and charges through 2013 to help offset a portion of the
increased costs of animal control services upon the opening of the new animal shelter.
The increases included animal license and impound fees. However, no other SCFA
agencies have raised their fees accordingly and now the City of Lake Elsinore's animal
control fees are substantially higher in comparison to other surrounding cities in our
region. Attached is an Animal Control Fee Schedule Comparison for regional cities and
the County of Riverside.
Discussion
The City Council and staff recognizes the need for change in its existing animal control
measures to reduce costs, prevent overpopulation and save lives.
An outline for the proposed Regional Coordinated Marketing Program is attached and
includes the goal, strategies and possible tactics. This program includes regular quarterly
marketing meetings among the cities, the County and AFV to allow for ongoing
collaboration and outreach planning. In addition, it urges participating SCFA member
agencies to dedicate additional funding toward spay or neuter, micro - chipping and
registration fee incentive programs, such as fee holidays. AFV has pledged up to $10,000
per city for free spaying and neutering and up to $10,000 total for all entities to offer
Animal Control
May 13, 2014
Page 3 of 4
reduced cost micro - chipping of only $5. As part of these programs, AFV would account
for and provide each city with a breakdown of how these funds are distributed.
The coordinated marketing program recommends that each agency use their surplus
SCFA Revenue /Expense Allocation Credits for the year toward these incentive programs.
The proposed contribution from each entity is $10,000 per city /county for spay and
neutering and $2,500 for micro - chipping. However, recognizing that each of the cities and
the county may have different needs and available funding resources, each entity decided
they would work separately with the SCFA Program Administrator to determine what, if
anything, they can contribute for their community. This year, the City of Lake Elsinore has
$12,782 in excess allocation credits and intends to use these credits to fund both $10,000
toward free spay and neuter programs and $2,500 for reduced cost micro - chipping.
While the marketing program is designed to encourage responsible pet ownership, the
City's high license fees, when compared to the region, may deter and reduce the
effectiveness of the campaign by discouraging pet registration and compliance.
Instead, staff desires to lower the license and registration fees to more closely align with
the region to help eliminate this barrier and build AFV's database of pet owners, altered
and unaltered, for future outreach, communication and incentive programs. The adoption
of Resolution No. 2014 -021 would amend the existing animal control license fees for the
City of Lake Elsinore. These reductions are shown in the attachment to the Resolution.
These fee reductions are only proposed for licensing fees. All impound fees and
miscellaneous charges for items such as pet violations, euthanasia and boarding will
remain unchanged.
If the City Council adopts Resolution No. 2014 -021 amending animal control fees, then
City staff request that these actions become effective at the start of the new fiscal year
beginning July 1, 2014. This will allow time to notify the public and for AFV to make all
appropriate operational changes required.
Other measures staff is preparing for future consideration by the City Council is an
increase in the number of animal control hours provided by AFV. These additional hours
will be negotiated with next year's agreement, which is up for renewal next month.
Fiscallmpact
The City's Animal Control Sheltering, Debt Service and Field Services for FY 2013 -14 are
estimated at approximately $738,624. Last fiscal year, the City received $172,535 in
revenues from animal control fees and charges to help offset these costs. This year,
Animal Control
May 13, 2014
Page 4 of 4
revenues to date are $120,000. While reduced fees may cause a reduction in the overall
revenue collected initially, the proposed marketing efforts and incentives are designed to
encourage residents to license their pets. Thus, with the increases in the number of pets
licensed staff believes this may offset any potential reduction in license fee receipts. Staff
is currently drafting its preliminary budget for FY 2014 -15 and appropriate allowances
have been incorporated based on the proposed changes
Prepared by: Nicole Dailey
Management Analyst
Approved by: Grant Yates
City Manager
Attachments: Animal Control Fee Schedule Comparison
Resolution No. 2014 -021
Exhibit A: Proposed Animal Control License Fee Schedule
EXHIBIT A
ANIMAL CONTROL FEE SCHEDULE COMPARISON
2013/2014
DOG LICENSE FEES
CANYON LAKE
LAKE ELSINORE
MURRIETA
TEMECULA
WILDOMAR
MENIFEE
COUNTY
Altered 1 year
$15.00
$30.00
$53.00
$75.00
$100.00
$200.00
$300.00
$8.00
$10.00
$12.00
$20.00
$16.00
$10.00
$10.00
$100.00
$100.00
$15.00
$20.00
$1_5.00
6.66-
$15.00
$8.00
$15.00
N/A
N/A
Altered 2 year
$20.00
Altered 3 year
$25.00
$25.00
$25.00
$25.00
$19.00
N/A
Unaltered -1-yea r
- -- ..
$50.00
_ ._.. ---
$50.00
$100.00
$35.00
V6.00-
--
$50.00
$50.00
$100.00
N/A
N/A
Unaltered 2 year
$100.00
Unaltered 3 year
Senior Citizen /Altered 1 year
$150.00
$8.00
$150.00
$105.00
$150.00
$150.00
N/A
---- -- - - --
$8.00
$8.00
- -- -
$8.00
- - --
$6.00
N/A
-----
- -
SeniorCitizen/ Altered 2 year
Se_nior Citizen_/_ Altered_3_y_ear
Lat e Penalty
-- -._...
$10.00
$12.00
$20.00
_.
$10.00
__$12.00
$20 00
_.--
$10.00
$12.00
$20 00
--- --
$10.00
__.$12.00
$20.00
$7.00
00
-
$20.00
N/A
N/A
N/A
Late Penalty Senior /Altered
$15.00
$15.00
$15 00_
$15 .00
$15.00
N/A
Transfer
Duplicate
Pot. dangerous reg.- annual
Vicious registration- annual
_$6.00
$6.00
$75.00
$150.00
$2 .00
$2.00
$6.00
$6.00
N/A
$6.00
$0.00
$6.00
$0 00
$6.00
$100.00
$6.00
$100.00
N/A
N/A
$0.00
1 $0.00
$100.00
1 $100.00
N/A
nCAT LICENSE FEES
CANYON LAKE
LAKE ELSINORE
MURRIETA
TEMECULA
WILDOMAR
MENIFEE
COUNTY
Altered 1 year
-- -- --
Altered 2 year---
N/A
- - - --
$12.00
$21.00
$30.00
$75.00
$150.00
$225.00
$5.00
$6.00
$7.00
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A -
N/A
N/A
N/A
-
N/A
- N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
Altered 3 year
N/A
Unaltered 1 year
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
-
N/A
N/A
Unaltered
__-
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
-.
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
Unaltered 3 year
Senior Citizen /Altered 1 year
N/A
N/A
- - --
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
--
N/A
N/A
/A
N/A
N
N/A
N/A
Senior Citizen/ Altered 2 year
N/A
Senior Citizen/ Altered 3 year
N/A
_
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
CANYON LAKE
LAKE ELSINORE
MURRIETA
TEMECULA
WILDOMAR
MENIFEE
COUNTY
IMPOUND FEES
Dog Altered -1 st time
Dog _Altered -2nd time
Dog Altered -3rdt time
Dog Unaltered -1st time
- -- -
Dog Unaltered -2nd time
$40 00
_ $60.00
$100.00
$40.00
-- - -
$60.00
$40.00
$60.00
$100.00
$40.00
$60.00
$100.00
$40.00
$60.00
$100.00
$40.00
$60.00
$100.00
$20.00
$40.00
$80.00
$60.00
$100.00
$120.00
$60.00
$100.00
$120.00
$20.00
$30.00
$20.00
$30 00
$40.00
$60.00
$40.00
$60.00
$40.00
$90.00
$40.00
$40.00
$100.00
$100.00
$150.00
$30.00
$30.00
$40.00_
$40.00
$40.00
$40.00
- --- --
$40.00
$60.00
-- --
$60.00
-
$90.00
Dog Unaltered -3rd time
Cat Altered -1st time
$100.00
$40.00
$50.00
$20.00
$50.00
$20.00
$100.00
$40.00
$100.00
$40.00
$150.00
$40.00
Cat Altered -2nd time
Cat Altered -3rdt time
$60.00
$100.00
$30.00
$30 00
$60.00
$60 00
$90.00
$40.00
$30.00
$40.00
$30.00
$100.00
$40.00
$100.00
$40.00
$150.00
$40.00
lte
Cat Unared -1st time
Cat Unaltered -2nd time
Cat Unaltered -3rd time
$40.00
$60.00
$100 00
$40.00
$50 00
$4_0 00
$50.00
$60.00
$10
$60.00
$100.00
$90.00
$150.00
Senior Citizen w /Altered- tsttime
Senior Citizen w /Altered -2nd time
$13.00
$20 00
$20.00
$20.00
- ---
$13.00
$13.00
$20.00
$30 .00
$40.00
$50.00
$30.00
$40.00
$50 00
$20.00
$45.00
$0 00
$20.00
$45.00
$0 00
$45.00
$75.00
Senior Citizen w /Altered -3rd time
$45.00
Vicious / Dangerous 1st + IMP
$100.00
Vicious / Dangerous -2nd + IMP
Vicious / Dangerous -- 3rd +IMP
$100.00
$100.00
$75.00
_. ._.....
$100 00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$75.00
__-
$100.00
- $0 00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
-__ -
$0.00 _
$0 00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
1 $0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
NolsyAnlmal - 1st time
Noisy Animal - 2nd time
Noisy Animal - 3rd time
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
Iacu =lrr_1
ANIMAL CONTROL FEE SCHEDULE COMPARISON
2013/2014
CITY FINES CANYON LAKE
LAKE ELSINORE
MURRIETA
TEMECULA
WILDOMAR
MENIFEE
COUNTY
Female dog /cat in heat -RAL -1st $0.00
$30.00
$50.00
$70.00
$30.00
$30.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
Female dog /cat in heat -RAL -2nd $0.00
$50.00
$50.00
$0.00
$_0.00
Female dog /cat in heat -RAL -3rd $0.00
$70.00
$70.00
__$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
STATE FINES -IN ADDITION CANYON LAKE
LAKE ELSINORE
MURRIETA
TEMECULA
WILDOMAR
.:ti.ii
MENIFEE
.+.
COUNTY
Female dog /cat unaltered - RAL -1st $35.00
$35.00
$50.00
$100.00
$35.00
$35.00
$35.00
$35.00
$35.00
Female dog /cat unaltered -RAL -2nd $50.00
Female dog/cat unaltered -RAL-3rd $100.00
$50.00
$100.00
$50.00
$100.00
$50.00
-
$100.00
$50.00
- .... --
$100.00
$50.00
- _- - - - - --
$100.00
BOARDING
CANYON LAKE
LAKE ELSINORE
MURRIETA
TEMECULA
WILDOMAR
MENIFEE
COUNTY
Dogs or cats
Sheep,swine, horse, cattle goats
Fowl, rodents, reptiles amphibians
$12.00
$12.00
$5.00
$15.00
$15.00
$7.00
$7.00
$10.00
$7.00
$7.00
$12.00_
$12.00
$12.00
$12.00
$12.00
$12.0_0__
$7.00
1 $2.00
$5.00
$5.00
_
$5.00
OTHER FEES
CANYON LAKE
LAKE ELSINORE
MURRIETA
TEMECULA
WILDOMAR
MENIFEE
COUNTY
Quarantine - Shelter
$100.00
$120.00
$90.00
$90.00
$100.00
$100.00
$100.00
$100.00
$100.00
-
Quarantine -Home
After Hours / 2 nd Officer
$100.00
$90.00
$100 00
$90.00
$100.00
$90.00
$100.00
$90.00
$100.00
$90.00
$100.00
$90.00
-
ADOPTION FEES
2 -5 months
sme - 5yrs
5 ym +
Sr. / Sr.
Rescues
Canine altered
Canine unaltered
$80.00
$60.00
$80.00
$60.00
$50.00
$35.00
$25.00
$25.00
$35.00
$35.00
Feline Altered
Feline Unaltered
$70.00
- -
$60.00_
$45.00
- -00
$35.00
$40.00
$30.00
$25.00
-- -
$25.00
$35.00
-.... -
$35.00
- -
_
Rabbits
Coupon Special altered
$45.00
$30.00
$45.00
$30.00
$45.00
$30 00
$45.00
$45.00
Coupon Special unaltered
$40 00
$40.00
$40.00
All other species see supervisor
EUITHANASIAIDISPOSAL
uthanasia
Disposal
Under 201bs
21 - 50 Ibs
$30.00
$40.00
$10.00
$15.00
THIS IS A MINIMUM FEE
51 - 70 Ibs
71 - 100 Ibs
over 100 Ibs
$50.00
$65.00
$75.00
$15.00
$20.00
$30.00
GATEWAY
Up to 75 Ibs
76 -100 Ibs
101 -125
over 125
$80.00
$100.00
$125.00
$126 + $1 per pound over
ADMINISTRATIVE CITAT
CANYON LAKE
LAKE ELSINORE
MURRIETA
E
TEMECULA
C
WILDOMAR
F
,N �-
MENIFEE
E
COUNTY
1 ST CITATION
$100.00
$100.00
$200.00
$250.00
15
$100.00
$50.00
$50.00
$50.00
N/A
2 NO CITATION
$200.00
$200._00
$150.00
$100.00
$100.00
N/A
3 RD CITATION
DAYS TO CORRECT LIC. CITE
$500
00.
30
$500.00
15
$250.00
21
$250.00
10
$250.00
21
N/A
N/A
RESOLUTION NO. 2014 -021
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LAKE
ELSINORE, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING ANIMAL CONTROL
LICENSE FEES
WHEREAS, the City of Lake Elsinore passed Resolution No. 2010 -057 in August
2010, increasing animal control license fees incrementally through 2012; and
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Lake Elsinore aims to provide
adequate animal control services while also reducing overpopulation and saving animal
lives by incentivizing responsible pet ownership within the community including spaying,
neutering and /or licensing pets; and
WHEREAS, the fees collected pursuant to this resolution shall continue to be
used for animal control services and sheltering services; and
WHEREAS, the City Council does now desire to modify the animal control
license fees as set in Resolution No. 2010 -57 by adopting the new Animal Control
Schedule of Fees as attached in Exhibit A.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LAKE ELSINORE
DOES HEREBY RESOLVE, DETERMINE AND ORDER AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. That the City Council hereby finds and declares that the above
recitals true and correct and incorporated herein by reference.
SECTION 2. That the City Council adopts the new fees and charges as set forth
in Exhibit A attached hereto and incorporated herein.
SECTION 3. That the City Council directs staff to work with its animal control
services provider to implement the new fees and inform the public of the changes.
SECTION 4. This Resolution shall take effect and be in force as of July 1, 2014.
PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 131h day of May 2014:
Natasha Johnson, Mayor
ATTEST:
Virginia J. Bloom, City Clerk
Barbara Z. Leibold, City Attorney
CITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION NO. 2014 -021
PAGE 2 of 2
STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY OF RIVERSIDE ) ss.
CITY OF LAKE ELSINORE )
I, Virginia J. Bloom, City Clerk of the City of Lake Elsinore, California, hereby certify that
Resolution No. 2014 -021 was adopted by the City Council of the City of Lake Elsinore at
a regular meeting held on the 13th day of May 2014, and that the same was adopted by
the following vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSTAIN:
ABSENT:
Virginia J. Bloom, City Clerk
Imo.
CITY OF LAKE ELSINORE
PROPOSED ANIMAL CONTROL LICENSE FEE SCHEDULE
Current Fee as of New Fee Proposed
October 1, 2012 Effective July 1, 2014 Reduction
DOG LICENSE FEES
Altered 1 year
$30.00
$15.00
50%
Altered 2 year
$53.00
$20.00
62%
Altered 3 year
$75.00
$25.00
67%
Unaltered 1 year
$100.00
$50.00
50%
Unaltered 2 year
$200.00
$100.00
50%
Unaltered 3 year
$300.00
$150.00
50%
Senior Citizen /Altered 1 year
$8.00
$8.00
-
Senior Citizen/ Altered 2 year
$10.00
$10.00
-
Senior Citizen/ Altered 3 year
$12.00
$12.00
-
Late Penalty
$20.00
$20.00
-
Late Penalty Senior /Altered
$16.00
$16.00
-
Transfer
$10.00
$6.00
40%
Duplicate
$10.00
$6.00
40%
Pot. dangerous reg.- annual
$100.00
$100.00
-
Vicious registration - annual
$100.00
$100.00
CAT LICENSE FEES
Altered 1 year
$12.00
$5.00
58%
Altered 2 year
$21.00
$10.00
52%
Altered 3 year
$30.00
$15.00
50%
Unaltered 1 year
$75.00
$50.00
33%
Unaltered 2 year
$150.00
$100.00
33%
Unaltered 3 year
$225.00
$150.00
33%
Senior Citizen /Altered 1 year
$5.00
$5.00
-
Senior Citizen/ Altered 2 year
$6.00
$6.00
Senior Citizen/ Altered 3 year
$7.00
$7.00
AGENDA ITEM NO. 14 -128
EXHIBIT
SOUTHWEST COMMUNITIES FINANCING AUTHORITY — JPA
Regional Coordinated Marketing Program
Goal: To leverage local resources to educate and increase public awareness
throughout the region about important pet ownership measures including licensing, spay
and neutering, and microchipping to reduce pet overpopulation in the shelter by 10%
and adoptable euthanasia by 15% in the next year.
Strategy #1: Secure the participation and resources from regional partners to invest
additional funding and staff resources to remove cost barriers and encourage
positive animal control actions in our region.
a. Spay & Neuter —Up to $10,000 allocation for matching AFV grant from each
City. Amount to be determined individually by each entity based on their
needs and available resources. AFV to match up to $10,000 per city /county
for a total of $50,000.
i. Recommendation is to fund with surplus reserve balance and /or any
additional resources available as determined by the entity.
ii. Average cost for spay /neuter is $80 for dog, $50 for cat.
iii. A total allocation of $20,000 (includes $10,000 match from AFV) would
result in approximately 250 spay or neuters per community. However,
the overall multiplier impact is much larger. For example, if each of the
five entities contributed $10,000 with the AFV match this would result
in approximately 1,250 additional spayed or neutered pets in the
region.
iv. To be administered, tracked and reported to each city /county to ensure
allocated funds are used appropriately in each service area. The
program will be first come, first serve.
b. Microchipping - Funding for a reduced cost microchipping program as
determined by each City. AFV to provide up to $10,000 total for all entities.
i. Recommended allocation is $2,500 per city /county.
ii. The current cost for microchipping is $20. AFV's cost is $10.
iii. With a contribution, the proposed cost would decline to $5.
iv. A total allocation of $5,000 per community (includes $2,500 match
from AFV) would result in approximately 1,000 microchipped pets in
each community, which would be a total of 5,000 newly microchipped
pets in the region.
c. Licensing - Fee Amnesty and Holidays
i. Offer 30 to 60 day fee holiday on all registration charges for annual pet
licensing. Each entity to determine length most appropriate and
affordable for them. Please note: This will likely create an additional
expense for some cities that must be considered.
ii. Waive late fees to encourage future communication, compliance and
long -term cost and resource savings.
iii. Would apply for altered and unaltered dogs and cats.
iv. Uniform fees (if possible).
d. Quarterly Marketing Meetings — EMC members and /or designated staff
members to meet quarterly, in person, with AFV for an hour or two to
brainstorm quarterly activities, outreach opportunities and marketing ideas.
Strategy #2: Develop key messages and branded marketing materials for distribution
through various outreach channels available in each participating city /county such as
electronic billboards, newsletters, recreation guides, and web sites.
a. Messages — Develop and promote consistent messages such as:
i. Importance of animal control measures, i.e., benefits for animals and
pet owners.
ii. Demystify the spay and neuter process, educate.
iii. Overpopulation and its impact on our region and pets.
iv. Wealth of resources and services available at the shelter.
v. Shelter is the place to go for a new pet or when looking for a pet.
vi. Regional support to end overpopulation and euthanasia.
b. Slogan Ideas — Use catchy and memorable slogans in regular marketing
materials, such as:
i. Get Chipped? $5
ii. Spay & Neuter - Overpopulation is killing us.
iii. Spread the Love, Share the Benefits with Others
iv. Prevention is wiser than destruction... Please Spay & Neuter your pets.
v. Help control pet overpopulation... Have your pets Spayed & Neutered.
vi. Spaying and Neutering saves precious lives.
vii. Spaying and Neutering will give your pets a new leash on life.
viii. Help those who cannot help themselves... Spay and Neuter.
ix. Dogs can't add and Cats can't subtract, but they can both MULTIPLY!
Please Spay & Neuter.
x. Spay /Neuter your best friend!
A. Please Spay /Neuter your pets (and weird friends /relatives)
xii. Yay to the Spay! Neuter is cuter!!
xiii. Neutering your pet makes them less nuts!
c. Outreach Opportunities — Leverage existing outreach and communication
outlets available to promote these regional animal control messages, starting
with those that do not require additional expenditures. Ideas include:
i. Electronic Billboards (use current city space provided, no added cost)
ii. Websites
iii. Email Communication
iv. Social Media Sites
v. Community publications (allocate an ad or article spot in ongoing,
existing newsletters, magazines, etc. at no added cost)
vi. Press Releases
vii. Videos
viii. Radio (free PSA opportunities using key data and facts)
ix. Community Events
x. Flyers /Mailers
A. Agency Partnerships, such as water and school districts, for material
distribution.
1. Bill Stuffers
2. Backpack program
xii. Canvass neighborhoods with volunteers. Prioritize neighborhoods with
high number of strays.
xiii. Adoption Drives
xiv. AFV Outreach Tools: Website, Newsletter
xv. Rescues & Pet Advocate Group Partnerships
Strategy #3: Explore opportunities to simplify animal control processes online and
partner with area businesses to offer online incentives that encourage spay and
neutering, microchipping and animal licensing increase website and social media traffic.
a. AFV Website - Assist in the updating and improving the existing AFV website
such as integrating social media updates and /or possibilities to offer more
convenient, online customer service options such as pet licensing and /or
appointment scheduling.
b. Friendly URLs - Develop friendly URLs, such as www.microfive.org, to be
used in marketing program.
c. Local Business Support - Seek incentives and partnership opportunities
with regional businesses to offer the following incentives to residents for
spaying /neutering, microchipping and /or registering their pets.
i. Monthly social media contests to increase likes
ii. Pet owner of the month drawing
iii. Business Gift Cards: Petco, Grooming Companies, Petsmart, Costco
iv. Products: Food, blankets, beds, leashes, training, gift baskets, etc.
v. Business or AFV Vouchers for Free or 50% off.
Strategy #4: Host and /or participate in region -wide or city events to bring together local
pet owners and advocates to support, educate, offer free services and encourage
responsible pet ownership.
a. Create, host or expand existing events to include more emphasis and /or
animal control information and services such as:
i. Free licensing
ii. Free or discounted vaccines
iii. Microchipping services
iv. Vouchers for spay and neuter
v. Pet giveaways and services
vi. Adoptions
b. Partner with rescue groups to host additional adoption events.
c. Events to be staffed and coordinated with assistance from volunteers and
partnerships with area rescue groups.
Strategy #5: Identify, collaborate and plan new regional programs, requirements and
practices for animal control in our communities including No Kill Communities, additional
funding sources and mandatory spay, neuter and /or microchipping.
a. Research and evaluate techniques used in other communities to address
overpopulation and save lives that have been successful.
b. Consider no kill communities and what steps would be involved to attempt to
move our communities toward this long -term goal.
c. Evaluate existing ordinances and possible solutions to effectively address
animal control needs for the region.
a. Mandatory Spay or Neuter Ordinance
b. Mandatory Microchipping Ordinance
c. Could apply for only those animals found or turned into the shelter,
rather than all pet owners.