HomeMy WebLinkAboutAnimal Control Annual Report 2017 Friendswood
Animal Control
2017 ANNUAL REPORT
A year-in-review of Friendswood Animal Control operations and activities in 2017.
Friendswood Animal Control
Friendswood Animal
Control
2017 ANNUAL REPORT
Introduction
The purpose of this report is to provide information about the functions and efforts of Friendswood
Animal Control. It is our intention to serve the citizens of this community in the most professional,
effective and efficient manner possible.All Animal Control Officers receive State certification in this
profession. Experience and training are the key elements in maintaining a professional service at
Friendswood Animal Control.
Advisory Committee
The Animal Control Advisory Committee was formed by City Council in March of 2010. State law requires
that the advisory committee must be composed of at least one licensed veterinarian, one county or
municipal official, one person whose duties include the daily operation of an animal shelter, and one
representative from an animal welfare organization. The advisory committee must meet at least three times
a year. The primary function of the committee is to advise Animal Control in compliance with City
ordinances and State laws and to make recommendations for improvements on programs and services to
better serve the community. The committee met three times during calendar year 2017 to update members
on facility operations and seek input regarding same.
Committee members:
Chairman-Dr. Donald C. Stran, DPM
Vice-Chairman-Dr. Donna Coleman, DVM
Secretary-Robert Lee Animal Control Supervisor
Member-Margaret Pickell, Wildlife Rehabilitator
Member-Amy Castro, Shelter Volunteer Coordinator
Member-Luke Loeser, Animal Control Director
Introduction• 1
Friendswood Animal Control
Impoundments
When it comes to animals located stray and impounded, every effort is made to return the animal to the
original owner. If this is not possible, the facility attempts to adopt out the animal to a "forever" home or
transfer it to a Humane Rescue Organization. The last resort is to euthanize an animal, and at times this
cannot be avoided if the temperament of the animal makes it unsuitable for adoption. We encourage
everyone to come to the facility whether just to look around or volunteer. We encourage the public to
promote the facility so these animals suitable for adoption get as much exposure as possible to give them an
opportunity to go to a home.
Animal Intake
In 2017, 559 cats and dogs were impounded at Friendswood Animal Control—201 cats and 358 dogs. This is
a 13% decrease in the number of animals entering the facility compared to 646 in 2016. While the intake and
care of cats and dogs is important the work that is done with other types of animals and wildlife is
important. In 2017, 22 other animals and wildlife were brought to the facility and there were 446 wildlife
releases.
Animals Returned to Owners / Microchip Voucher
Program
Many of the domestic animals handled by Friendswood Animal Control are returned to their owners from
the facility and in the field. In 2015, Animal Control purchased microchip readers for each of the Animal
Control trucks. This equipment purchase has facilitated the return of animals to their owners. A total of 72
animals were returned to their owners in the field. In 2017, 196 dogs and 12 cats were returned to their
owners from the facility.
Friendswood Animal Control and Friendswood Animal Clinic jointly sponsor a microchip voucher program
to facilitate the micro chipping of pets reclaimed from Friendswood Animal Control. Each owner who
reclaims their lost pet from Friendswood Animal Control has 30 days to use the microchip voucher. Once a
pet receives its microchip, the voucher form is sent back to Friendswood Animal Control from the vet and
the pet's microchip is registered.
Adoptions
Friendswood Animal Control is open for adoptions six days a week. Staff and volunteers work hard to find
adoptive homes or arrange transfer to other animal facilities and rescue groups giving these animals a better
chance at adoption. Animals available for adoption are advertised on City of Friendswood social media and
the adoption website, Petfinder.com. In 2017, 124 dogs and 122 cats were adopted to new homes.
Impoundments • 2
Friendswood Animal Control
Field Operations
The Friendswood Animal Control facility is open six days a week to serve the community. Calls are
generally addressed in the order in which they are received, unless the caller indicates that the animal is
aggressive, in which case the call is handled on a priority basis. Animal Control Officers are on call after
normal business hours and respond to animal calls requiring immediate action.
Animal control officers handle requests for service including stray dog, injured animals, police requests for
assistance and animal bite reports. Animal control officers responded to 1,502 calls for service in 2017. This
is a 13% decrease compared to 1,725 calls for service in 2016.
Friendswood Animal Control officers investigated 29 animal bite cases in 2017. Data from bite cases must
be available to the Texas Department of Health Services.
Animal Control Data
This report provides the second full year of animal control data collection using the Animal Services module
in the ONESolution Records Management System (RMS). It allows the public safety agency to collect and
access critical information gathered during the course of business. Records management software provides
analytical resources for administrative,field and investigative staff. Since its September 2015 inception date,
this software has increased efficiency, making critical information and data accessible. This powerful
technology keeps accurate information archived,field work documented and personnel activity monitored.
The Animal Control unit reconciles its data on a monthly basis, improving accountability, increasing
accuracy, quicker access to computerized data, and an ability to provide for real-time facility census.
Field Operations • 3