Animal Control : How Do You Start? City of Eldora Patrick Ian Rigg 1442 Washington Street Eldora, IA

History Vet clinic closed 2002 Local volunteer group formed in 2005 Volunteer shelter in neighboring community opens in 2007 Shelter closes in 2008 City of Eldora hires Administrator and works with Police Chief to create impound

Self Assessment What are our needs What assets do we have to offer currently What are the costs of missing assets Who else has need for animal control

Begin Discussions Local volunteer organizations County Supervisors or Health Board Neighboring cities Private veterinarian clinics

Cost Discovery for Eldora Shelter cost $50,000-75,000 $3,000-$4,000 heat and cool Food and care $1,500-$5,000 7 Day Disposal $50-70 each Impound fees $3,000 profit Sharing only cuts overhead

Try Again City operated impound DOA New plan to use existing services Limited to no local services Economic incentive for new veterinarian clinic

The Dilemma

Euthanasia Questions Image Costs Service to the public Service to the players

Solution Contract with newly attracted Veterinarian to open the old clinic Contract pays for 7 days room and board If not claimed by owners, the animal is fixed and given rabies shot if adoptable Local organization takes animal and places it up for adoption

Protect the Vet Clinic is not a City Operation and the Vet is not the animal control officers City sets fines and fines paid direct to the City Only City staff can impound and release the animals

Public Service The Cost of fixing animals and giving shots is less than euthanasia on all cats and small male dogs For little cost the City image is friendly to animals, but enforces its ordinances on at-large animals Serves those volunteers that served us

Costs Total the City spends $3,600 in animal control annually The City receives $1,200 in fines The City will receive about $1,200 in tags Remaining is general obligation of $1,200 City run option costs $8,000 - $12,000 in general obligation