1	The City of Calgary Animal & Bylaw Services
2	Today’s Presentation Overview Animal Services Public Education Continuous Improvement
3	"In North America we do..." In North America we do not have a problem with pet overpopulation, stray animals, nuisance or vicious animals – we have a problem with responsible pet ownership. Virtually every animal that ends up in a shelter or on the street is there because a human relationship failed them.
4	"The definition of insanity is..." The definition of insanity is continuing to do things the same way you always have and expecting to get different results. Shifting from traditional animal control to responsible pet ownership
5	Animal & Bylaw Services’ Mission
6	Animal Services
7	Animal Services (continued)
8	From Mission Statement to Action Identify the issue Engage stakeholders Build a process that works Educate people to use it 95% voluntary compliance Back it up 5% enforcement Measure it how do you know you are improving
9	Four Principles of Responsible Pet Ownership Licence and provide permanent identification for pets Spay or neuter pets Provide training, physical care, socialization and medical attention for companion pets Do not allow pets to become a threat or nuisance in the community
10	Our Responsible Pet Ownership Partners A successful animal program requires working relationships with three key stakeholders: Regulatory – The City of Calgary, The Province of Alberta Humane – Calgary Humane Society (SPCA), Animal Rescue Foundation, MEOW Foundation Medical/Service Providers – Calgary Vets, AVMA, breeders, trainers, pet stores
11	The Importance of Bylaws Serve two roles: set a minimum standard of acceptable behaviour achieve compliance to that standard Help us live together as neighbours based on agreed upon rules Provide a process for resolution investigation, mediation, enforcement
12	Performance Indicators (How do we know we are doing a good job) Impounded animal numbers Return to owner rates Aggressive animal incidents Euthanasia rate Percent of animals licensed Number of bylaw infractions charged Financial performance
13	Operations: Bylaw Compliance
14	Operations: Bylaw Compliance
15	Field Operations 24 Animal Control Officers respond to and investigate complaints related to:
16	Field Operations (continued) License Compliance Animals running at large Animals unattended Animals not under control Dogs in off-leash areas Removal of excrement Barking, howling, noise Livestock in the city Aggressive Behaviours Bites/Attacks Chase /Threats Serious injury Fatal injury to another animal Vicious Animals Unsecured dogs in open trucks
17	Field Operations (continued) 2. Provincial Legislation Dangerous Dogs Act The Animal Protection Act The Stray Animals Act
18	Dog Licensing Program All dogs 3 months and older require a licence Zero tolerance for unlicensed dogs - $250 penalty Annual licence fee: $31 altered $52 intact
19	Licensing Program: Cats Cat licensing became mandatory – 2007 January 1 $250 fine for an unlicensed cat Cats with permanent ID (tattoo or microchip) are not required to wear a tag
20	Cat Licensing Program All cats 3 months and older require a licence Zero tolerance for unlicensed cats Annual licence fee: $10 altered $30 intact
21	Dog Licensing: History Formerly a Business Licensing administrative function Low compliance, no follow up on expired licences Transferred to Animal Services to provide connectivity Dedicated Officers to licensing Dedicated phone line manned by knowledgeable staff
22	Licensing Campaigns Since 1999, periodic licensing campaigns with: Stepped up enforcement; Extensive media advertising; “Amnesty”
23	Licensing: Making it easy Renewal notices automatically sent out Easy payment options: In person at 2 locations Telephone (3-1-1, 24/7) www.calgary.ca/animalservices At bank By mail Night depository Directly to an officer
24	Licensing Compliance Follow up on all licence non-renewals Officers can check for a valid animal licence using onboard computer or radio dispatch
25	Licensing Compliance (continued) Park patrols Impounded dogs and cats may not leave facility without a licence 6 month free licence for adopted dogs and cats
26	The Licensing Advantage Enables Animal Services to quickly reunite missing pets with their owners Identifies that a lost animal has a caregiver/owner A licensed animal is one phone call away from going home
27	Off-Leash Areas It will happen anyway Important for dogs to socialize Need regulations Challenges: parks are over subscribed conflicts with multiuse strategies environmental damage
28	Dogs in Parks Dogs must be on leash unless otherwise posted Park rules must be respected In off-leash areas: dogs must be licensed dogs must be under control at all times dogs must not chase or threaten people, other dogs or wildlife owners must pick up after their dog
29	Role of Education Corrects myths Removes misconceptions Transforms misunderstanding Key in citizen compliance Education helps us clearly tell our story
30	Role of Public Education - Goals Provide information promote citizen awareness Prevention educate citizens prior to community issues becoming problematic follow legislative changes with education school programs Develop knowledgeable citizens – action step change in citizen behaviour change in values citizens are engaged and make informed decisions about community issues Increase voluntary compliance people become responsible citizens citizens as partners in compliance
31	Educational Focus Responsible Citizenship Role / image of Animal & Bylaw Services Content of animal and general bylaws Role of officers public safety professional approachable voluntary compliance model Role of the community partner in compliance
32	Public Education School Programs ECS – Grade 6
33	School Programs PAWS Dog Bite Prevention Program: ECS – Grade 6 Dogs in Our Society: Grade 1 Urban Coyotes: Grades 3 – 6 Freedom City: Grade 6 Junior Bylaw Project: Grade 6 Think Responsibly: Grades 4 – 7
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35	School Presentations All curriculum based Urban Coyotes – Social Studies or Science focus includes content and process grade-appropriate support materials interactive programs Educators present programs in the schools No cost Budget from licensing Interactive - geared to classrooms not assemblies
36	PAWS Dog Bite Prevention stray dogs tree or log reasons dogs we know bite meeting a dog that is out with an owner Tools Boomer licence, microchip, tattoo radio video
37	Dogs in our Society 8 out of 10 curriculum objectives “Living and Non-living Things” unit Focus: responsible pet ownership and dog safety Boomer – living or non-living Characteristics of living animals Roles of dogs in our society Domesticated or wild Care of domesticated pets Safety message from PAWS
38	Urban Coyotes Identify the habitat of urban coyotes Adaptability of coyotes What attracts coyotes Role in the balance of nature Learning objectives What to do to make coyotes feel unwelcome connection to city bylaws – untidy properties Compare and contrast dogs and coyotes Safety around dogs Safety around coyotes
39	Freedom City
40	Freedom City Bylaws are created: To ensure public health To ensure public safety To protect the environment So we can live in harmony
41	Junior Bylaw Project Problem solving project Simulates citizen engagement process 2 visits
42	Junior Bylaw: Student Project Students research and resolve a neighbourhood issue: Word problem as a question Research current bylaws Find 4 solutions, list positives, negatives Best solution? Why? How would you inform the local government? Develop Citizen’s Charter of Rights and Responsibilities
43	Think Responsibly Online school program Safety education for grades 4 – 7 7 business units & Calgary Board of Education 6 modules: Graffiti Helmets Parks & pathways Peer pressure Fire safety Water safety
44	Performance Indicators (How do we know we are doing a good job) Impounded animal numbers Return to owner rates Aggressive animal incidents Euthanasia rate Percent of animals licensed Number of bylaw infractions charged Financial performance
45	Calgary’s Population People (2008): 1,042,892 Dogs (2008): 110,242 Cats (2008): 107,514
46	Licensing Compliance 101,000 licensed dogs as of 2009 June Approx. 92% compliance
47	Cats Impounded
48	Disposition of Cats 1991-2008
49	Cats Euthanized 2008 This graph represents the reasons for the humane destruction of 145 cats in 2008. Had these cats been microchipped, tattooed, or licensed, they could have been returned to their owners.
50	Dogs Impounded
51	Disposition of Impounded Dogs 1984 - 2008
52	Dogs Euthanized 2008 This graph represents the reasons for the humane destruction of 274 dogs in 2008. Had these dogs been licensed, they could have been returned to their owners.
53	Aggressive Dog Incidents 1984-2008
54	Operating Budget $5 million annual operating budget, generated through licence and penalty revenue, not tax dollars The Animal Services Centre was built in 2000 for $3.5 million
55	The Facility Opened on October 2, 2000 Shelter hours: 10:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. Monday – Friday 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Saturday & Sunday Closed on Statutory Holidays 21,000 square feet
56	The Facility Capacity to hold 88 cats and 84 dogs Features include: Ventilation system Aggressive isolation kennel Waste management system Warm atmosphere for animals, staff and public
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58	Continuous Improvement Develop subsidized spay/neuter program Build spay/neuter clinic (Opened July 2, 2009) Increase number of licensed cats Increase number of licensed dogs to 100% Research lifetime licence with microchip Work towards 100% return to owner Increase use of Drive Home Program Be a best practice city in animal management No More Homeless Pets within 5 years
59	Questions?
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