HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 3 - Approve 2014 Animal Humane Society Impound Contract
MAYOR & COUNCIL COMMUNICATION
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DATE: March 4, 2014 CONSENT ITEM # 3 AGENDA ITEM: 2014 Animal Humane Society Impound Contract
SUBMITTED BY: Dean Zuleger, City Administrator
THROUGH: Mike Pearson, Mayor
REVIEWED BY: Dean Zuleger, City Administrator Adam Bell, City Clerk/Assistant City Administrator Public Safety Committee
SUGGESTED ORDER OF BUSINESS:
- Introduction of Item .............................................................. City Administrator
- Report/Presentation…………………………………………City Administrator
- Questions from Council to Staff ............................................. Mayor Facilitates
- Call for Motion ............................................................... Mayor & City Council
- Discussion ....................................................................... Mayor & City Council
- Action on Motion .................................................................... Mayor Facilitates POLICY RECOMMENDER: Staff FISCAL IMPACT: $5 increase in holding fee. Reduction in impound costs due to no repeat holdings. SUMMARY AND ACTION REQUESTED:
City Council is respectfully requested to approve a contract for impounding and care of stray dogs and domesticated cats at the Woodbury Animal Humane Society. The recommended motion for this action is as follows:
“Move to approve the one year letter of understanding between the Animal Humane Society
and the City of Lake Elmo for Impound Housing Services.”
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
City Council Meeting [Consent Agenda Item 3]
March 4, 2014
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The City of Lake Elmo has agreements in place with the Animal Humane Society (Woodbury) to house stray animals per the State of Minnesota Statutes. This arrangement also includes certain criteria for holding, euthanasia, animal recovery, and rabies protocol.
Along with the City’s Animal Control Officer, the City of Lake Elmo staff has worked closely
with the Animal Humane Society to manage the humane treatment of stray animals – including the collection, feeding, care, and if necessary, euthanasia of stray animals in the city. The Animal Humane Society has requested the City renew its agreement for 2014. The agreement is for 2014, but service will continue until cancelled.
A new issue that the Humane Society is addressing is the reduction of repeat impounds and unnecessary and costly euthanizations. A new program that is in the process of being implemented, will involve sterilization, ear-marking, and a returning of “community cats” to the pick-up location. Community Cats are cats that are healthy, but for some behavior reason are
considered unadoptable. The shelter will no longer take these cats for impoundment after the
initial impounding. The Animal Control Officer will be able to identify these cats based on the ear-marking. This will reduce the collection costs as these cats will no longer be impounded repeatedly. Staff has met with the Director of Animal Services, Dr. Brayshaw, and discussed the new program with the City’s Animal Control Officer. The Public Safety Committee voted
unanimously to approve the agreement with the Animal Humane Society. Staff recommends that
Council approve the Letter of Understanding. BACKGROUND INFORMATION (SWOT):
Strengths There will be a reduction in impound and euthanasia costs;
Sterilization of these animals should help reduce the unwanted cat population. Weaknesses There is a five dollar increase in holding fees. Also, cats are returned to their pick-up location. Opportunities There will be a reduction in unnecessary euthanizations.
Threats The manner and means of the returning of the animals is unknown
at this time. Staff has not identified any specific threats at this time. RECOMMENDATION:
City Council is respectfully requested to approve a contract for impounding and care of stray
dogs and domesticated cats at the Woodbury Animal Humane Society. The recommended motion for this action is as follows: “Move to approve the one year letter of understanding between the Animal Humane Society and the City of Lake Elmo for Impound Housing Services.” ATTACHMENTS: 1. Letter from AHS Director of Animal Services 2. LOU for Impound Housing Services with the Animal Humane Society