Agenda

Return

C.141

To:	Board of Supervisors
From:	Beth Ward, Animal Services Director
Date:	May 24, 2016

Contra

Costa

County

Subject:

Animal Services Dept Dog License Amnesty Event

APPROVE	OTHER
RECOMMENDATION OF CNTY ADMINISTRATOR	RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE

Action of Board On: 05/24/2016

APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED

OTHER

Clerks Notes:

VOTE OF SUPERVISORS

AYE:

John Gioia, District I Supervisor
Candace Andersen, District II Supervisor
Mary N. Piepho, District III Supervisor
Karen Mitchoff, District IV Supervisor
Federal D. Glover, District V Supervisor

Contact:

Kathy O'Connell 335-8370

I hereby certify that this is a true and correct copy of an action taken and entered on the minutes of the Board of Supervisors on the date shown.
ATTESTED: May 24, 2016
David Twa,

BY:	, Deputy

RECOMMENDATION(S):

APPROVE and AUTHORIZE the Director of Animal Services Department, or designee, to conduct an biennial License Amnesty event to allow residents without valid dog licenses to comply with state law without facing any back penalties or late fees. (Undetermined fiscal impact)

FISCAL IMPACT:

Undetermined - The Department may potentially lose revenue by forgiving late fees and penalties; however there may be additional expense in trying to collect these monies. Forgiving the late fee and penalties may encourage dog owners to license their pet, and pay the fee. The net fiscal impact is undetermined.

BACKGROUND:

The Contra Costa County Department of Animal Services requires all dogs over four months of age to be licensed. A rabies vaccination is also required before a pet can be licensed (Ordinance #80-97, Section 416-6.002). A license is not valid until a current rabies certificate is submitted. A current dog license indicates that a dog has been properly vaccinated against rabies.

BACKGROUND: (CONT'D)

Rabies is a serious public health issue and licensing helps Contra Costa County monitor compliance with rabies vaccination laws. A current license allows an Animal Services Officer to know that a pet has an owner and expedites their return home. The license informs an Officer on who to contact when an animal is lost. Dogs with current license tags that are impounded at the Contra Costa County Animal Shelters are held for five days. Additionally, unaltered dogs will be altered by the Animal Services Department.

Revenue from licensing pays for emergency medical care of animals hit by cars, investigation of animal abuse and cruelty and the rabies control program. During the License Amnesty events, Contra Costa County Animal Services staff will be educating pet owners on the importance of licensing their dogs. Animal Services staff will be continuously educating dog owners on why they must comply with our County ordinance (Ordinance #80-97, Section 416-6.002) and avoid costly back-licensing fees, and late fees, when their license is expired.

When the amnesty period ends, Contra Costa Animal Services Officers will continue enforcing state, county and city requirements of animal ownership. The state requires all dogs to be licensed and vaccinated for rabies. Animal Services Officers will also be reminding pet owners of the benefit to also microchip their dogs when engaging with members of the public. Microchips provide another resource for Officers to identify where a pet lives and their owners contact information. Taking advantage of the amnesty period can save pet owners a fair amount of money and also allow us to better serve our community and return lost pets to their homes.

CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:

Many dogs in Contra Costa County may remain unlicensed and at risk of contracting and transmitting rabies.

CHILDREN'S IMPACT STATEMENT:

None