The Animal Control Blog

Five problems and solutions

Animal care and control is often on the public’s radar screen much to the regret of many city and county managers. Although this program makes up a very small percentage of local government budgets, it has often been a challenge for many municipal and county managers and administrators. Elected officials too, may be unfairly criticized by animal control critics.

There are several steps, however, that can be taken by city and county managers to minimize operational problems, contain crises, and contribute to improved program effectiveness.

The following are five areas of concern that should merit more attention.

1. Contracting/partnering for services. There are three aspects of contracting that are frequently problematic:First, boards of directors of non-profit contractors and local governments have too often maintained a mutual arms length relationship by choice. This has resulted in diminished accountability of both parties, limited two-way communication and led to misunderstandings and delays in addressing important issues causing mutual blame.

   The solution lies in  developing a partnership in which the contractor’s board of directors as the responsible party on one side and senior local government officials (e.g. the city or county manager or his/her authorized representative) on the client side should have designated responsibilities and have a mechanism to assure on-going communication.

   The second aspect of the problem is the failure of the local government client to have a contingency plan at the outset for the both the short and long term sheltering needs of impounded animals should the contractor give notice to discontinue service. A back-up plan is essential.

   The third aspect of the problem is divided responsibilities and reduced accountability when services are split between two or more entities and one is a contract provider.  The solution lies in carefully constructed clauses in the written agreement that details the duties of each party. This will help to encourage mutual trust and cooperation and prevent misunderstandings.

2. Policy and procedures manual. The absence of a written policy and procedures manual or an outdated one to guide staff in the performance of its duties has often been found to contribute to accusations of inhumane treatment of animals. Such charges are difficult to rebut. Further, they may put your animal services program in the crosshairs of state officials who may seek to investigate if any state laws were violated. If written policies and procedures do not exist, it could also raise questions of liability and bring unfavorable publicity and diminish public support for the program.The answer lies in taking preventive action by having updated and written policies and procedures and requiring each staff person to sign off that he or she has read the manual completely and understands the obligation to comply with its contents. This will help to assure minimal acceptable performance standards and delivery of a humane level of care to the animals.
3. Training. Inadequate or no training has been an on-going problem in some animal control programs, because it has been linked to charges of animal cruelty levied against staff and frequently results in lawsuits being filed by angry animal owners.  The cost of providing needed training after a major incident had occurred is more than if it was required initially.All animal control staff needs to undergo training appropriate to job responsibilities. Increasingly, states are now mandating some form of training for animal control personnel. Therefore training funds need to be earmarked in the budget.
4. Review and update your animal ordinances. Review and update your animal ordinances annually, because state laws can and do change and you need to be in compliance. Attempting to solve a major animal problem without benefit of legal authority to do so may be difficult and time consuming. It’s also wise to identify emerging issues (example: dangerous dogs) that may require the need for new animal ordinances. Annually reviewing and amending your animal ordinances if needed, will allow you to be ready to enforce new provisions should the need arise.
5. Auditing/evaluating the program.  Evaluating an animal care and control program often leads to unexpected surprises that are expensive to correct.  The first problem is when local government officials are too quick to yield to pressure from self-appointed outside critics to evaluate the program before issues and problems have been adequately understood by these officials.  Beware, critics may have their own agendas.  Animal control officials should be given an opportunity to respond to charges and allegations before further action is contemplated.  If a decision is made to undertake a review, give consideration up front on how and by whom the final report will be reviewed.Another concern is where to obtain funding to implement some recommendations to meet new needs and to correct current deficiencies.

   Lastly, officials need to establish a time frame for making changes. When it comes to animal control, the public and animal owners alike often demand corrective action more quickly than it is reasonable to expect.  A second problem is the failure of the local government client to define the parameters of the program to be reviewed, particularly identifying questions or issues that local officials want answered. This has sometimes resulted in a work product (report) that cannot easily be implemented, because the consultant is given the discretion to define what is to be reviewed.  This has resulted in some cases where findings have produced numerous deficiencies and funds to improve the program were not forthcoming, especially those recommendations carrying hefty price tags.

   All too often, the cost of improving the program centers mainly on building a new shelter to replace an old and obsolete one.  Whoever conducts the review should be asked to prioritize recommendations, estimate their costs, and be prepared to offer low cost viable alternatives.This

This article is based, in part, on my book Animal Control Management: A New Look at a Public Responsibility.

Dog Catching in America: Animal Control in a Democracy
by Mary Strachan Scriver
Self-Published through Lulu Press, 2009

This is a memoir of sorts of the author’s experience as an animal control officer for Multnomah County, Oregon, during the 1970s plus some observations of the animal control field in recent years.  It was time when the term “dog catcher” was still in use and those engaged in animal control work were often looked with derision and sometimes viewed as the problem itself, rather than rightfully attributing the problem to the animal owner and his/her animal. Formal training for animal control officers in the field in Multinomah County at the time was limited and can more aptly be described as a short apprenticeship to someone with a little more experience. Scriver was the first female officer hired by that county. She quickly discovered that when she responded to a call, she was expected to solve problems on her own using common sense and her own wits, at least most of the time. Backup from police or the sheriff often resulted in other officers responding to the scene who were more than happy to let the dog catcher handle the most unpleasant aspects of the situation.

Scriver worked for Mike Burgwin, who later became a founder of the National Animal Control Association and who was one of the more progressive animal control directors at that time. She readily gives him credit for his contributions to animal control work.

A student of human as well as animal psychology, the author offers her unvarnished opinions of a wide range of situations she encountered in working with animals and people. While animals may cause problems whether it is responsibility for unwanted noise or a danger to public safety, Scriver looks to the animal owner as the one who has failed to exercise the necessary responsibility of the animal, whether it is a domestic pet or some member of an exotic animal  species. She is right, and while the animal is not necessarily an innocent victim, owner attitudes were and continue to be problematic.

Her experiences are reported in a clear and honest voice in an earthy way. This book is about the good, bad and the ugly side of animal control field work.  It is not for those who will get upset with the blood and guts of her stories or the cruelty and neglect inflicted upon animals  by humans or how people responsible for the care of their animals neglected and abandoned them at will. The episodes reported in this book could just as well have taken place today, rather than more than 30 years ago. It would be nice to believe that both animal control and people have progressed along a  more humane path in how animals are treated in our society. Animal control programs have made much progress in that direction, but it seems we still have more that needs to be done. Some animal owners still have a long way to go to be considered responsible pet owners.  That in itself is disturbing.

At times Scriver waxes philosophical about humans and animals, but she is also outspoken and opinionated. She writes: “Few people spend much time examining their treatment of animals, though most are good at prescribing what others should do.” She states that “Animal abuse is a good indication of human abuse,” and she offers enough proof for that statement through numerous incidents that she encountered in her work that are described in this book. At times she wisely acted as a counselor when needed, offering advice to those who needed it. She is at different times, witty and compassionate, but also determined and tough when necessary.

Another Scriverism is “Kindness that is not informed is no kindness at all.” She was referring in this instance to a hamster giving birth but the mother feared that humans who were watching her were predators and thus she killed her babies.  She also shares practical advice with the reader that she learned though her own experiences. In one humorous example, she encountered a man who defied authority and let one of his several dogs run at large. Scriver instead of chasing down the dog simply sat down on the curb and ate some cookies. Soon the dog was slobbering over her shoulder and she was able to take the dog in custody because it was on public property.. The animal owners pleaded entrapment in court, but it was all legal.

Scriver defines animal control as a mechanism for responding to emergencies involving animals that are in danger or endangering others along with a host of other problems common to neighborhoods such as barking dogs and unsanitary conditions.  She views animal control agencies as governmental, trying to keep order in communities through law enforcement, for the most part.  She sees humane societies as dependent upon the culture through the media, because in her view, humane societies are composed of volunteers and have no legal authority to act. This is not always the case today. She also draws a number of other distinctions between animal control agencies and humane societies. Our democratic political system imposes some restraints on the powers of animal control officers and at the same time allows complaining parties to game the system for their own self-interest. Scriver finds this frustrating, and so do I.

The author’s commentaries on books, articles and stories written by others, were a distraction to me.  Her own stories and experiences are interesting enough to want to read her book.

Those who currently work as animal control officers or at one time had those responsibilities will be able to relate to what she has to say. Few books have been written about the experiences of animal control officers, so this book makes a contribution to animal control literature, because the author through her writing, shares with the reader her experiences, frustrations and her accomplishments in ways we can relate to.

Should communities limit the number of pets allowed per household? The topic can be a hot button issue if there are currently no limits on the number of pets per household. Businessmen speak with enthusiasm about “growing the business” and increasing their customer base, revenues and profits. In the absence of pet limits animal control officials too will be growing the business but in ways they may not anticipate and usually in a negative way.

As an animal control official you need to control and reduce the number of pet related problems in the areas you serve. Without pet limits people are encouraged to keep more dogs and cats than they are able to care for and this in itself generates its own problems including growing the business.  Communities without pet limits attract as new residents those with a large number of dogs and cats who are looking for a place where they can do as they wish with their animals. These are irresponsible pet owners.  These communities are fertile ground for hoarders, illegal breeders and sometimes drug dealers and those engaged in illegal dog fighting.

Yet, “growing the business” can be a good thing. Let me explain. The animal control agency’s role can expand in a positive way that benefits the animals, their owners and the community at large. Scheduling low cost rabies clinics, offering obedience training for pet owners and their pets and offering low cost spay neuter services for dogs and cats are just a few ways to benefit the animals and their owners and make a positive contribution to the community at an affordable cost…

Pet limits offer several advantages.  First, the scope of community animal problems will be reduced simply because the number of animals in the community will be less. Second, by reducing the number of pets allowed per household, both the governmental client and the animal control provider encourage cost containment, because the number of calls for service will begin to drop and may require fewer personnel.  Third, hoarders and others who may abuse animals will be discouraged from keeping more than the allowed number of animals because it will be unlawful.  If there are those who have more than the allowed limit at the time pet limits take effect, they can be grandfathered in to keep their pets provided they provide humane care and meet the requirements in the local ordinance or local law.

Explaining the rationale for pet limits can help pave the way for more responsible pet ownership and allowing animals and people to coexist peacefully in a community setting.

In my new book, Animal Control Management: A New Look at a Public Responsibility (Purdue University Press, 2010), I take the reader on a journey behind the scenes of managing animal control operations to examine selected management concerns that merit attention. People working in animal control have told me they wish they’d had this book years ago.

This book is the first of its kind to discuss in detail the actual management of local animal control programs as opposed to the care of the animals. It covers financial, personnel, legal, health, and safety issues that animal control directors and management staff need to know in providing direction and oversight of animal control programs. I also offer new insights and strategies for more effective management. For example, the two chapters on contracting discuss the steps in the process, strategies, and suggested provisions in the written agreement to make the program more effective. The animal law chapters explain the basis for the laws, and highlight those provisions, that if enacted into law, can strengthen enforcement options. I also cover interacting with the public and the media, liability issues, wildlife problems, and the politics of animal control.

Buy the book now from Amazon.com | Buy it now from Barnes & Noble
Buy it now from Purdue University Press (or call 800-247-6553)

In her extensive review of the book, blogger and former animal control officer Mary Scriver notes that animal control is an incendiary topic, and says, “You know Steve is talking about something he knows” and “For anyone charged with designing or reforming a new animal control service … this will amount to a map and handbook.”

If you’ve published a review of the book, please be sure to leave a comment here and let me know.

Bibliographic details:

ISBN: 9781557535405

Subtitle: A New Look at a Public Responsibility

Author: Stephen Aronson

Publisher: Purdue University Press

Subject: Animals — Treatment.

Subject: Wildlife pests — Control.

Subject: Environmental Science

Subject: Management – General

Publication Date: January 2010

Binding: Paperback

Language: English

Pages: 370

Available now from Purdue University Press, Amazon and Barnes & Noble

Welcome to my new animal control blog. The purpose of this site is to provide helpful information current topics of concern to those who direct and manage local animal care and control shelters and those who have oversight of or fund animal care and control programs. By the way be sure to check out my new book: Animal Control Management: A New Look at a Public Responsibility, Purdue University Press, 2010.