ADOPTED - FEBRUARY 8, 2005

Agenda Item No. 16

Introduced by the Law Enforcement and Finance Committees of the:

INGHAM COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

RESOLUTION TO AMEND THE ANIMAL CONTROL ADOPTION FEES

AND ADJUST 2005 BUDGET

RESOLUTION #05-033

WHEREAS, the Ingham County Animal Control Ordinance was adopted by the Board of Commissioners, on September 18, 1972; and

WHEREAS, the Ingham County Board of Commissioners on July 27, 1999, amended the Ingham County Animal Control Ordinance so that fees and expenses established by the Animal Control Ordinance could be changed from time to time by action of the Board of Commissioners; and

WHEREAS, the current adoption fees and processes are both costly and cumbersome to citizens; and

WHEREAS, increased fees could accomplish both a reduction in out‑of‑pocket expenses to citizens while at the same time increase revenues for the county; and

WHEREAS, enhancing the adoption experience and providing the citizens with a better product (healthier, spayed/neutered animals) could also be achieved; and

WHEREAS, the adjustments will remove major hindrances currently affecting the adoption of unwanted animals from Ingham County Animal Control, and

WHEREAS, the fee adjustments will provide for the spaying and neutering of Ingham County Animal Control animals prior to adoption, thus increasing their adoptability; and

WHEREAS, the increased revenues will exceed the cost of the spay/neuter of Ingham County Animal Control animals and further provide for the increased health of the animals, and

WHEREAS, an outcome of this action will be a reduction in the number of unaltered animals returning to the community, thus reducing overpopulation; and

WHEREAS, the incident of rabies vaccinated animals will increase, in addition to an increase in the number of licensed adopted animals; and

WHEREAS, the Animal Control Department and the Animal Control Advisory Board has recommended an adjustment in this fee schedule, and

WHEREAS, citizens will have the option to adopt animals that are not spayed or neutered, for personal veterinary choice, size of animal or health issues but will be required to pay a deposit.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Ingham County Board of Commissioners hereby adopts the following fees for the animal control department effective March 1, 2005:

ADOPTED - FEBRUARY 8, 2005

Agenda Item No. 16

RESOLUTION #05-033

Dogs (under six years of age)                            $ 90 = ($10‑vaccination, $20 license, $60‑adoption fee)

Dogs (six years or older)                                   $ 45 = ($10‑vaccination, $20 license, $15‑adoption fee)

Puppies (age‑four months or less)                     $120= ($10‑vaccination, $20 license, $ 90‑adoption fee)

Cats (under six years of age)                             $60 ($10‑vaccination, $50‑adoption fee)

Cats (six years or older)                                    $30 ($10‑vaccination, $20‑adoption fee)

Kittens (four months or younger)                       $60 ($10‑vaccination, $40‑adoption fee)

Per cats‑kittens                                                 (Promotional offer: Purchase a second cat for $1 with the purchase of the first cat at the $60 rate.)

Senior citizens discount (65 or older)     A discount of 50% for the complete adoption cost on any pet; if the animal is not spayed or neutered prior to adoption, a deposit of $50 will be required in addition to the adoption fee.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the remainder of the Ingham County Animal Control Ordinance and the fees of the Ingham County Animal Control Department, as amended, shall remain unchanged.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Controller is authorized to amend the 2005 Animal Control Budget  in accordance with this Resolution by increasing Animal Adoptions revenue by $25,000 including the use of up to $25,000 from Fund 701 to pay for the 2005 spay/neuter program at a cost of up to $50,000.

LAW ENFORCEMENT:  Yeas:  De Leon, Nolan, Copedge, Thomas, Schafer

Nays:  None                     Absent:  Vickers                   Approved 1/27/05

FINANCE: Yeas:  Dedden, Swope, Hertel, Schor, Thomas, Dougan

Nays:  None               Absent:  None         Approved 2/2/05