DATE: April 4, 2012
CONTACT: Kimberly Maroe, Public Information Manager
Broward County Board of County Commissioners
PHONE: 954-357-8053
EMAIL: kmaroe@broward.org
Broward County Commissioners have affirmed their goal to one day operate a no-kill animal shelter. Commissioners unanimously passed a resolution that requires Broward County to develop and implement a financially feasible No Kill Strategic Plan incorporating programs and services utilized in successful no-kill communities across the nation.
The plan will include a number of programs and services consistent with the No-Kill Equation, which includes comprehensive on- and off-site adoption programs, affordable spay/neuter programs, large scale foster care programs, medical and behavioral programs, pet retention and redemption services, rescue transfer programs and volunteer programs.
In general, no-kill shelters strive to save 90 percent of the animals received from being euthanized. The resolution notes that public and private partnerships and volunteers are essential to increasing the save rate of healthy, adoptable animals entering the Broward County Animal Care and Adoption Center. Commissioners also emphasized that the strategic plan be financially feasible.
“Successful no-kill communities begin with a commitment from government, shelter employees, residents, business leaders and the media. This is an important step in showing the people that the County is serious about saving the lives of adoptable animals,” said Commissioner Chip LaMarca, who brought the resolution forward. “As far as fiscal impact, we will work within the existing resources of this division.”
In 2008, commissioners hired the National Animal Control Association (NACA) to assess animal care operations. At that time, commissioners generally agreed to move in the direction of a no-kill shelter and many of the recommendations in the NACA report have been implemented to some degree.
“These goals match those in the NACA report. Bringing this forward today formalizes for us as an organization a desire to meet these goals,” said Commissioner Lois Wexler.
An important aspect of this resolution is the development of a plan that sets meaningful objectives to measure achievement and manage expectations. Staff will focus on programs and services that are proven to reduce animal intake and also increase the save rate, recognizing that “It takes a community to go no kill.”
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