Animal Control Agencies Research Articles

"State of the Mewnion": Practices of Feral Cat Care and Advocacy Organizations in the United States.

Over the last several decades, feral cats have moved from the fringes to the mainstream in animal welfare and sheltering. Although many best practice guidelines have been published by national non-profits and veterinary bodies, little is known about how groups “in the trenches” actually operate. Our study sought to address that gap through an online survey of feral cat care and advocacy organizations based in the United States. Advertised as “The State of the Mewnion,” its topics included a range of issues spanning non-profit administration, public health, caretaking and trapping, adoptions of friendly kittens and cats, veterinary medical procedures and policies, data collection and program efficacy metrics, research engagement and interest, and relationships with wildlife advocates and animal control agencies. Respondents from 567 organizations participated, making this the largest and most comprehensive study on this topic to date. Respondents came primarily from grassroots organizations. A majority reported no paid employees (74.6%), served 499 or fewer feral cats per year (75.0%), engaged between 1 and 9 active volunteers (54.9%), and did not operate a brick and mortar facility (63.7%). Some of our findings demonstrate a shared community of practice, including the common use of a minimum weight of 2.0 pounds for spay/neuter eligibility, left side ear tip removals to indicate sterilization, recovery holding times after surgery commonly reported as 1 night for male cats and 1 or 2 nights for females, requiring or recommending to adopters of socialized kittens/cats that they be kept indoor-only, and less than a quarter still engaging in routine testing of cats for FIV and FeLV. Our survey also reveals areas for improvement, such as most organizations lacking a declared goal with a measurable value and a time frame, only sometimes scanning cats for microchips, and about a third not using a standardized injection site for vaccines. This study paints the clearest picture yet available of what constitutes the standard practices of organizations serving feral and community cats in the United States.

Bad dog: feral and free-roaming dogs as agents of conflict

Domestic dogs are ubiquitous where humans reside. While typically considered a companion animal, their ability to thrive as feral and free-roaming animals often results in conflict with wildlife and is an impediment to conservation goals (Gompper, 2013). Home, Bhatnagar & Vanak (2018) provides evidence for this in India, illustrating the role of feral and free-roaming dogs as an invasive species with negative impacts on endemic wildlife, including threatened and endangered species. The authors found that the majority of wildlife attacks by dogs happen when dogs are not with people. It seems that this is the true canine conundrum: humans value dogs as companions, but the consequences are high for endemic wildlife when dogs do not have human companions. While the study used data from India, the impacts of feral and free-roaming dogs are found globally (Young et al., 2011; Hughes & MacDonald, 2013). Indeed, conflicts between wildlife and free-roaming feral dogs happen even when government ordinances and laws exist that forbid owners from allowing dogs to be free roaming. For example, in Arizona, where these types of laws exist, during 2017, USDA-APHIS-Wildlife Services (WS) reported the removal or transfer of custody for 125 feral and free-roaming dogs in response to human conflicts. This was more than double the next most common species reported: the coyote (Canis latrans). With the existence of similar laws, the WS program in California has assisted county-level governments with feral and free-roaming dogs preying on livestock that were suspect releases from illegal marijuana grows along California's north coast. Dogs, which many agency employees suspect to have crossed the California–Mexico border, have also been removed to protect threatened avian species, especially those nesting on beaches. These incidents are not rare or new. Fowler (1979) showed the impacts of dogs on beaches where green sea turtles (Chelonia mydas) nested which have since been reported globally for nearly all species of sea turtles. In WS data, reported in the past 10 years (2008–2017), these types of conflicts have resulted in the removal or transfer of custody for 340 feral and free-roaming dogs in California. In the USA, WS is often tasked with responding to conflicts with feral and free-roaming dogs that are reported, but local animal control agencies may also respond, so these data likely represent the minimum amount of dog conflict in these two states with more laws and ordinances regarding dogs than many other states. Home et al. (2018) show that the respondents would opt for trap-neuter release (TNR) or euthanasia to mitigate conflict, but the percentage of respondents even in these top two categories was low. The authors already note the lack of success with TNR programs. Euthanasia may more effectively remove the dogs causing conflicts, but negative perceptions by the public often surround euthanasia because of human associations with dogs as companion animals. Thus, the solution likely circles back to the conundrum – educating people about the importance of human companionship to dogs to reduce the number of dogs without human companions in the landscape. Survey participants in the study believed that the problem has grown in recent years. With burgeoning human populations, this is undoubtedly true throughout the range of domestic dogs, which is most of the planet's human-inhabited landmasses. Studies like this highlight the problems but also begin to build the foundation for how to resolve them. The challenge is to ensure solutions are employed when the species put at risk are still able to recover.

A Collaborative Model for Managing Animal Hoarding Cases

ABSTRACTCompanion-animal hoarding is a significant problem in the United States and internationally. Hoarding situations can incubate for years before a case is reported to law enforcement or animal control agencies. According to a survey by Gary Patronek, animal control agencies have estimated there are approximately 3000 reportable cases of animal hoarding annually in the United States. Animal hoarding cases vary in size from fewer than 20 animals to hundreds of animals. Every case of animal hoarding results in suboptimal animal welfare. Wake County, North Carolina, developed a proactive plan for addressing companion-animal hoarding that implemented a team approach to assist animals at risk, hold people accountable, address the mental health component of this problem, and create a more humane community. The plan involved animal control officers, crisis intervention counselors, law enforcement officers, veterinarians, veterinary technicians, and animal rescue partners. This intervention strategy was implemented in 2015, and cases were tracked to document animal outcomes. The conclusion of this experience is that a diverse team approach can best address the animal and human welfare challenges and the environmental concerns associated with animal hoarding.

Burden of Bites by Dogs and Other Animals in Los Angeles County, California, 2009-2011.

The objective of this study was to analyze all animal-to-human bite reports during a 3-year period from a regional surveillance database. Results helped to inform local efforts to reduce and prevent animal-to-human bites. We reviewed all cases of animal-to-human bites occurring from 2009 through 2011 that were reported to the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health's Animal Bites Database. We collected data on the bite victim's date of birth, age, and address; bite circumstances (ie, date, time, location, how bite occurred); anatomic site and treatment of bite; type of reporting facility; and breed and management of biting animal. From 2009 through 2011, 26 169 animal-to-human bites were reported, of which 23 103 (88%) were dog bites. Most animal-to-human bites (n = 7673, 29%) occurred between 4 pm and 8 pm and peaked during the month of July (n = 2663, 10%). Most animal-to-human bites occurred outdoors (n = 8772, 34%) and while victims engaged in recreational activities (n = 4353, 17%). The hands were the most common injury site (n = 9130, 35%), and only 1% of animal bites (n = 267) resulted in hospitalization. A total of 4115 bite victims (16%) received tetanus vaccinations. Of all animal-to-human bite cases, medical organizations reported 13 451 (51%), and animal control agencies reported 10 682 (41%). Animal-to-human bites can often lead to medical complications. Surveillance is essential in helping to identify, manage, and reduce these highly preventable injuries and direct public health actions and policies on animal bite risk and prevention.

Monitoring techniques in the capture and adoption of dogs and cats.

The continuous improvement of the information systems of organizations that work toward the control of stray dog and cat populations facilitates the implementation of programs aimed at reducing the number of animals that roam free in public streets. This study aimed to present techniques to improve the understanding of the spatial distribution of stray dogs and cats and of people who adopt these animals and the fate of these animals in zoonosis control centers (ZCC). Ripley's K function was used with a Euclidean distance graph to detect the distribution pattern of dogs and cats captured and of the people who adopted these animals. An estimate of the kernel density was used to allow a better assessment of the spatial distribution of the phenomenon studied. The results showed that the distribution of captured animals and of the people who adopted these animals form a spatial cluster (p = 0.01). Most of the animals were captured near the premises of the ZCC and near the downtown area. Factors such as the abandonment of animals near animal control agencies and the availability of food sources are the main hypotheses associated to the distribution of the captures. The awareness of the people who live in places where there is a greater number of stray animals and the distribution of the urban population are the main hypotheses to explain the distribution of the adoptions. The results will help to implement control measures over these populations in the most problematic areas.

The Healthy Pets Healthy Families initiative as an example of one health in action.

Views: Commentary 143 T one health movement—the global interdisciplinary effort encompassing human and animal health and the environment—has generated substantial discussion in the past decade. However, translating this increased interest into action is challenging, and realworld applications incorporating one health strategies are needed to illustrate how the one health concept can be translated into practical programs. In 2010, the Veterinary Public Health Program (VPH) within the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health launched the 2020 Healthy Pets Healthy Families (HPHF) initiative as a way to put one health into action. A central theme was to educate people about how keeping pets healthy is important for their own and their family’s health. The AVMA One Health Initiative Task Force emphasized the need for collaboration among individuals in the human, animal, and environmental health fields. Los Angeles County represents an ideal region for such interprofessional partnerships, with a population of approximately 10 million residents, 40% of adults owning pets, more than 400 veterinary practices, 28 animal control agencies, a strong public health department, and multiple universities (including one veterinary college, two medical schools, and six schools with public health curricula). In organizing the HPHF initiative, we sought to adapt the model used in Healthy People, a US Department of Health and Human Services initiative that started with the 1979 Surgeon General’s Report “Healthy People: The Surgeon General’s Report on Health Promotion and Disease Prevention.” This data-driven, nationwide program identifies human health improvement priorities for each decade and has directed efforts for human health improvement on a national scale. Healthy People 2020 is the fourth and most current iteration. It was developed in two phases through a collaborative process involving federal agencies, private The Healthy Pets Healthy Families initiative as an example of one health in action

Role of U.S. animal control agencies in equine neglect, cruelty, and abandonment investigations1

Every state in the United States has regulations prohibiting acts of neglect and cruelty against animals. Local law enforcement and animal control agencies are responsible in many communities to enforce these statutes. As society's perception of horses has changed from their origin as livestock to companion animals in modern times, owners have transitioned their care and management. The goal of this study was to identify the role and capacities of local animal control services in the United States that investigate equine neglect, cruelty, and abandonment investigations and to identify challenges and outcomes of the investigations. A 128-question online survey was accessible for animal agencies to complete. Comprehensive questions included their capacity for investigating equine cases, funding, housing for horses, and causes and outcomes of investigations. Respondents also were asked to select a single case and provide detailed information on the condition of horses, seizure and custody procedures, costs, and prosecution proceedings. A total of 165 respondents from 26 states completed all or the majority of the questions. A total of 6,864 equine investigations were initiated between 2007 and 2009 by 90 agencies, which extrapolates to 38 investigations annually per agency. A typical agency has an average annual budget of $740,000, employs 7 animal control officers, and spends about $10,000 annually on equine cases. Neglect was ranked as the most common reason for investigation. Owner ignorance, economic hardship, and lack of responsibility were the highest ranked causes of neglect and cruelty. Individual cases were provided by 91 agencies concerning 749 equines. The physical condition of the horse was the primary factor of investigation, and low body condition, parasite infestation, and compromised dental condition were present in most seized horses. Over half of the equine owners previously had been investigated or charged with neglect or cruelty of animals or were identified with cruelty or abuse offenses to people. Less than 3% of the cases advanced to adjudication, and these were likely to be decided by a judge rather than a jury. Judgments of guilty verdicts and pleas were 9 times more common than acquittal. Challenges for equine investigations cases included lack of funding, limited availability of facilities for horses, and providing educational materials for horse owners to aid in prevention and resolution of neglect cases.

The Conflicting Roles of Vector Control and Animal Control Agencies in Mitigating the Rise of Human Cases of Flea-borne Typhus in Orange County, California

Flea-borne typhus has emerged as an important vector-borne disease in Los Angeles and Orange Counties, California, with over 400 human cases having been reported since the mid-1980s. In Orange County alone, 127 human cases have been investigated by the Orange County Vector Control District since 2006. Results from a collaborative study with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention from 2006-2008 identified the suburban cycle of flea-borne typhus transmission (backyard wildlife/pets – fleas – humans) in Los Angeles and Orange counties. Free-ranging feral and companion cats and the Virginia opossum were identified as the primary host animals of the cat flea, the insect vector responsible for maintenance and transmission of the etiologic agents, Rickettsia typhi and R. felis, for disease in humans. Although the causes of the increase in human flea-borne typhus cases are not well-defined, this rise has been accompanied by changes in how public and privately-sponsored animal control groups manage nuisance animal populations in the affected southern California counties. Instead of elimination through euthanasia of unwanted feral cats and non-native opossums, rehabilitation, relocation, and “no-trap” policies have become the preferred practice of local animal control agencies. The public health obligation for which governmental animal control agencies were created must be re-emphasized as one way of preventing further outbreaks of flea-borne typhus infections in Orange County and the surrounding California counties.

Cross-reporting of Interpersonal Violence and Animal Cruelty: The Charlotte Project

The overlapping nature of interpersonal violence and animal cruelty is well established, however historically each issue has been addressed by distinct and separate protective systems. An innovative community-based project is described that utilized crosstraining as a mechanism to foster collaboration between human services and animal control agencies. Findings are useful for professionals and community stakeholders interested in facilitating the cross-reporting of interpersonal violence and animal cruelty.

Addressing the Problem of Pet Overpopulation

Pet overpopulation is a problem for humans not only because of the increased rabies exposure risk but also because it puts a strain on animal control agencies, which must care for, house, and often euthanize the unwanted animals. New Hanover County, North Carolina, Animal Control Services saw the need to control this problem and developed a plan to diminish the number of unwanted companion animals in its community. With the help of training through the UNC Management Academy for Public Health, they created a successful business plan to build an on-site spay/neuter facility. The facility began operations in 2004. As of January 31, 2006, a total of 1,108 surgeries had been completed in the new facility, with no added cost to taxpayers. The facility has been a success for Animal Control Services, the Health Department, and the community as a whole.

Demographic trends for animal care and control agencies in Ohio from 1996 to 2004

To examine changes between 1996 and 2004 in regard to numbers of animals handled, medical care provided, expenses, numbers of employees, and agency policies for animal care and control agencies in Ohio. Cross-sectional survey. 223 animal care and control agencies. A questionnaire was mailed to animal care and control agencies in Ohio to collect information for 2004; results were compared with published results of a similar survey. 165 of the 223 (74%) agencies responded. Estimated total number of animals handled in 2004 was 315,519, which represented a decrease of 7% compared with 1996. However, although number of dogs taken in decreased 17%, number of cats taken in increased 20%. Between 1996 and 2004, the euthanasia rate decreased from 65.3% to 56.8%, and the adoption rate increased from 24.5% to 33.6%. Number of dogs euthanatized decreased 39%, but number of cats euthanatized increased 14%. The proportion of agencies with a spay-neuter policy increased from 56% to 71%, and the proportion that maintained an association with a veterinarian increased from 39% to 80%. For dogs handled by county dog warden agencies, the odds of euthanasia were higher if the agency did not have a spay-neuter policy (odds ratio, 1.36). Results suggest that the status of dogs handled by animal care and control agencies in Ohio improved between 1996 and 2004, but that the status of cats deteriorated.

What Happens to Shelter Dogs? Part 2. Comparing Three Melbourne Welfare Shelters for Nonhuman Animals

Although the characteristics of dogs admitted to animal welfare shelters have been described previously, few studies have compared the statistics of different welfare shelters. The existing studies compare shelters that differ operationally and philosophically on factors such as whether they perform euthanasia or whether the shelter receives both impounded and relinquished animals. This study aims to determine whether differences in admission and outcome data exist between shelters when these issues are constant. The study sampled 3 metropolitan Australian shelters over a 12-month period. All shelters sampled serve both as municipal pounds and welfare shelters, perform euthanasia as required, and operate within the relatively small, culturally homogeneous environment of Melbourne. The study observed significant differences between shelters regarding the admission characteristics of the dogs, length of stay, and outcomes. The identification of these differences may enable us to establish "best-practice" procedures capable of implementation elsewhere. The differences identified in the reasons given for relinquishment between locations also may have policy and educational implications for animal control agencies.

Prevalence of Dirofilaria immitis and gastrointestinal helminths in cats euthanized at animal control agencies in northwest Georgia

Cats euthanized at six northwest Georgia animal control agencies were examined for adult Dirofilaria immitis in heart and lung tissue and presence of gastrointestinal helminth ova by fecal flotation. D. immitis were found in 4 of 184 cats (2.1%). The prevalence of feline dirofilariasis in northwest Georgia was lower than that found in other studies conducted in the southeastern United States, but closer to the prevalences occurring in areas of similar topography. Heartworm antigen and antibody tests performed on batched serum samples resulted in low sensitivity and high specificity. Gastrointestinal helminth ova were found in 39.6% of the fecal samples examined and 6.1% of the samples contained two or more species.

Hoarding of animals: an under-recognized public health problem in a difficult-to-study population.

The objective of this study was to better characterize the problem of hoarding, or pathological collecting, of animals. The author summarized data from a convenience sample of 54 case reports from 10 animal control agencies and humane societies across the country. The majority (76%) of hoarders were female, and 46% were 60 years of age or older. About half of the hoarders lived in single-person households. The animals most frequently involved were cats, dogs, farm animals, and birds. The median number of animals per case was 39, but there were four cases of more than 100 animals in a household. In 80% of cases animals were reportedly found dead or in poor condition. Prevalence estimates extrapolated from these data range from 700 to 2000 U.S. cases annually. Public health authorities should recognize that animal hoarding may be a sentinel for mental health problems or dementia, which merit serious assessment and prompt intervention. Improved cooperation between humane societies and public health authorities could facilitate the resolution of animal hoarding cases.

Dogs and Cats in Animal Shelters in Japan

ABSTRACTAlthough there are proportionately fewer pet owners in Japan than in the United States, the keeping of indigenous Japanese dog breeds, along with those common in Europe and North America, is long-established. Japan has a centralized governmental network of animal shelters, which permits accurate record-keeping of the numbers of dogs and cats admitted, reclaimed, and euthanized. Although in the United States an accurate census is not simple to accomplish because a variety of humane societies and animal control agencies admit homeless dogs and cats, some cultural comparisons are possible.Despite recent increases in petkeeping in Japan, the numbers of dogs admitted to shelters have decreased from 345,136 dogs in 1984 to 243, 753 dogs in 1994. The numbers euthanized show similar declines, from 331,442 in 1984 to 219,831 in 1994. In the city of Tokyo, kittens account for the majority of the animals admitted: 34,745 kittens (55%) of a total of 62,803 dogs and cats in 1980; 12,805 kittens (61%) of a total of 21,075 in 1993. Cats usually are brought in after being found on the street and are not reclaimed by their owners; virtually all are euthanized. Most dogs, 61%, are caught as strays by shelter personnel. Among those admitted to Tokyo shelters, 41% are reclaimed or returned to the owner, 7% are adopted by new owners, and 52% are euthanized.Spaying and neutering of dogs and cats are not wide spread practices in Japan. There are few private shelters; the government provides no tax incentives for charitable contributions to such organizations. While American shelters invariably offer animals for adoption, most of Japan's governmental shelters do not. However, this is gradually changing.

Demographic and needs assessment survey of animal care and control agencies

Objective To characterize demographic and needs assessment information for animal care and control agencies in Ohio. Design Mail survey. Sample Population 222 animal care and control agencies. Procedure A questionnaire was mailed to animal care and control agencies in Ohio. Data were collected for 1996. Results Of 222 agencies contacted, 180 (81%) responded. Agencies estimated that they spent $28.4 million ($2.47/person). Approximately 339,207 animals were taken in, comprising 214,143 (63%) dogs, 114,877 (34%) cats, and 10,187 (3%) wildlife or other species. Of these animals, a fourth were adopted, about a tenth were reclaimed by their owners, and two thirds were euthanatized. Approximately 302,589 animal control complaints were received, and 22,053 (7%) citations were issued. One hundred three (57%) agencies reported 25,564 cruelty complaints; criminal charges were filed for 543 (2%) cases, with 445 (82%) resulting in guilty verdicts. Among 155 agencies that provided information, 87 (56%) had spay/neuter policies. Only 69 of 178 (39%) agencies reported an association with a veterinarian. Less than half (64/150; 43%) of the agencies administered vaccinations, and 69 of 152 (45%) treated animals for intestinal parasites. The top 5 things needed by agencies were capital/facility improvements, increased funding, improved legislation for animals, educational needs, and veterinary services. Clinical Implications In Ohio in 1996, 9.9% of dogs and 4.5% of cats received care or assistance from animal care and control agencies. Only 39% of animal care and control agencies have an association with a veterinarian. (J Am Vet Med Assoc 1998;213:483-487)

The American humane association (AHA): Position on wild horse management

The American Humane Association is a national federation of local humane societies and animal control agencies, founded in 1877. In 1974, American Humane was asked by the Bureau of Land Management to observe wild horseroundups and provide recommendations on humane capture and transportation. Later, the Association was asked to provide expertise in formulating the Adopt-A-Horse and Burro Program. Since 1975 the American Humane Association has been involved in many wild horse and burroroundups, attended several hearings locally and in Washington, DC, on regulations and amendments, and has participated in field trips to examine and learn about land use. The author, Director of Animal Protection for the American Humane Association, will represent humane organizations on the newly formed National Advisory Committee on Wild Horses and Burros. The purpose of the Committee is to provide advice to the Secretary of the Interior, and the Director of the BLM, as well as the Secretary of Agriculture and the Chief of the Forest Service, on matters pertaining to management, protection, and control of wild free-roaming horses and burros on the Nation's public lands.