FINAL MCACC TASK FORCE BOS PRESENTATION 5-4-2015.PDF

Final Report & Recommendations
May 4, 2015
Presenters:
Dr. Rodrigo Silva, Assistant County Manager
Cheryl Naumann, Chairman of the Process & Service Subcommittee
Andrea Katsenes, Chairman of the Outreach & Marketing Subcommittee
Leanna Taylor, Chairman of the Budget & Funding Subcommittee 1

Overview
Thirty (30) stakeholders were invited to participate.
The diverse committee is comprised of volunteers, concerned
citizens, shelter professionals, rescue operators, nonprofit leaders,
representatives from veterinary associations, and business owners.
The Kick-Off meeting was held October 28, 2014 and concluded
April 30, 2015.
Over 100 recommendations were raised, ranging in scope from high level
policy and operational changes to more specific action items.
Staff and citizens share the mission of doing the best possible work on
behalf of the animals.
The staff and volunteers consistently go above the established mandates.
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Mandated Services – A.R.S. Title 11, Chapter 7, Article 6
 Enforcement –
Strays, Dogs at large, Bites
 Shelter –
Provide proper care, maintenance
and humane destruction of
impounded animals.
A dog or cat shall not be released for
adoption until surgically spayed or
neutered or sterilized by another
procedure.
 Dog Licensing
Rabies
Public vaccination clinics
http://www.azleg.gov/ArizonaRevisedStatutes.asp?Title=11 3

Task Force Summary
At the start of the process, three (3) subcommittees were formed.
Through a voting process, a Chairperson was selected to lead each
group.
Cheryl Naumann for the Process & Service Subcommittee.
Andrea Katsenes for the Outreach & Marketing Subcommittee.
Leanna Taylor for the Budget & Funding Subcommittee.
35 recommendations and 108 strategies were developed, which
the Chairs will soon highlight.
This was an important exercise in reviewing our process and
engaging with citizens.
Staff took this seriously and are proud to report 50% of the
strategies have been or are in the progress of being
implemented.
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Animal Welfare – Medical Care
Cheryl Naumann - Chairman
RECOMMENDATION: Improve overall medical care to the animals.
A Few of the Key Strategies:
Hire a minimum of 6 additional vets + 6 veterinary technicians.
Increase budget for clinic supplies and medication.
Perform physical intake exams (Upper Respiratory Infections, trauma).
More rapid triage, differential diagnosis and enhanced pain management
protocols.
Provide Bordetella (kennel cough) vaccines for animals
at the East Shelter.
RECOMMENDATION: Review and monitor feeding protocols for
underweight, geriatric, injured and pregnant or nursing animals,
as well as for puppies and kittens. Allow these animals first
priority for individual kenneling.
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Animal Welfare - Attention & Sanitation
RECOMMENDATION: Improve the level of
attention and care given to the animals,
as well as shelter cleanliness.
A Few of the Key Strategies:
Hire 6 additional Animal Care Technicians.
Assure appropriate temperatures in both
shelters based on weather conditions.
Provide bedding at all times to animals
to lie on rather than bare concrete.
Inspect kennels regularly and spot clean
as needed.
Utilize shade screens where warranted
for pregnant or nervous animals.
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Animal Welfare - Behavior
RECOMMENDATION: Improve the quality of behavior assessments, the
knowledge of staff and volunteers, and offer enrichment activities to better serve
the animals and promote more informed adoption decisions.
A Few of the Key Strategies:
Staff conducting behavioral assessments to be certified
on the SAFER model.
Establish and consistently use an appropriate area
to conduct behavior assessments.
Ensure supervisors are regularly observing the
assessment process.
Educate staff and volunteers performing adoption
counseling on how to better match animals with
adopters.
Provide in-kennel enrichment to enhance the
psychological well being of animals. 7

Customer Service - Adoptions
RECOMMENDATION: Increase the number of adoptions, transfers, and returns to
owner, decrease owner surrenders and improve service tools & delivery.
A Few of the Key Strategies:
Redesign Kennel Cards.
Include behavioral information.
Improve signage.
Pricing, Directional, Handouts, Maps.
Provide Greeters.
Ensure calls are answered in a timely fashion.
Allow for a non-refundable deposit option at East.
Give priority to rescues pulling both the mother and puppies/kittens.
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Marketing & Outreach
Andrea Katsenes - Chairman
GOAL: Increase visibility of MCACC, adoptions and licensing.
First year 20% increase in licenses; 10% increase in licenses each year after.
First year increase represents an approximate increase in revenues of $1.2
million to $1.4 million.
RECOMMENDATION: Invest in a $1M, one year, countywide mass media
marketing campaign focused on promoting the benefits of dog licensing.
Additional Strategies:
Hire (1) additional communication staff professional .
Establish an annual marketing/PR plan that promotes Agency programs.
Streamline the license process for pet owners:
Redesign website. Functionality for online licensing; campaign messaging.
Redesign licensing forms.
Work to partner with the veterinarian community to promote.
Explore auto renewal.
Authorize the Director to grant amnesty periods for accruing fines. 9

Marketing & Outreach
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Marketing & Outreach
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Marketing & Outreach
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Marketing & Outreach
GOAL: In order to manage staffing costs to MCACC, while increasing services,
increase annual volunteer hours by 20% and improve retention; including
increase of pet foster families by 10% over previous year.
RECOMMENDATION: Enhance volunteer program and outreach.
A Few of the Key Strategies:
Hire a 2nd Volunteer Coordinator.
Increase recruiting efforts in the community.
Streamline volunteer onboarding:
Offer more volunteer classes/sessions.
Reduce training process from 3 to 2 days - Develop online training tools.
Provide specific volunteer job descriptions, needed skills, and time commitment.
Provide name tags for all volunteers
Develop recognition programs – “Volunteer of the Month”, “Anniversary/Years of
Service”.
Host appreciation events.
Conduct ongoing “Brown Bag” sessions with the Director and continued education
with veterinarian staff. 13

Budget & Funding
Leanna Taylor - Chairman
Budgetary Objectives
To bring MCACC’s budget in closer alignment relative to the
number of animals they serve and the human population in
Maricopa County.
To improve the public perception of MCACC and create a
shelter environment of which we can all be proud.
To expand upon the innovative and life-saving programs
currently in place at MCACC.
To save more lives.
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Budget & Funding
RECOMMENDATION:
Approve a licensing fee increase.
License Current Proposed New # of Est.
Type Fee Increase Fee Issued Increase
Licenses In
In 2014 Revenue
Altered $17 $1 $18 259,851 $259,851
Dogs
Unaltered $42 $6 $48 33,529 $201,174
Dogs
Senior $6 $3 $9 75,108 $225,324
Citizen
Total =
$686,349
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Budget & Funding
RECOMMENDATION: Review and consider
different approaches to funding strategies.
A Few of the Key Strategies:
Increase department’s expenditure limit.
Consider debt forgiveness on West shelter payment for
the next 3 to 5 years, with the caveat it would not go
against the department’s expenditure limit.
Conduct a feasibility study on the a Special Taxing District.
Hire a grant writer in order to increase the number of
submittals and awards.
Evaluate the potential for a Bond Initiative for East shelter.
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Budget & Funding
RECOMMENDATION: Construct new or replace shelter in East Valley.
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Budget & Funding
RECOMMENDATION: Construct new or replace shelter in East Valley.
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Budget & Funding
RECOMMENDATION: Explore ways to increase the number of Spay &
Neuter Vouchers; to include introducing a number of low
cost vouchers to be sold at cost of service.
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Budget & Funding
The greatness of a nation can be judged by the way its animals are treated.
- Mahatma Ghandi
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Recognition of Members
Cheryl Akers, AZ Pet Vet Andrea Katsenes, Community Advocate
Jessica Alderman, AzK9 Trish Manes, No Kill Maricopa
Tarah Berry, Concerned Citizen Bari Mears, PACC911
Ed Bufford, Concerned Citizen Michael Mendel, Volunteer
Jason Carey, Volunteer Nancy Mitchell, Friends of MCAC&C
Elizabeth Claxton, AZ Humane Society Michael Morefield, AZ Animal Welfare League
Victoria Cowper, Foothills Animal Rescue Cheryl Naumann, 2nd Home Pet Resort
Robert Crough, Paradigm Dog School Rhonda Oliver, Hands On Greater Phoenix
Kelly Ferrieira, MAIN Rescue Jeff Schwartz, Concerned Citizen
Sherry Garcia, Concerned Citizen Jill Shumway, Feathers Foundation
Marcia Hamilton, No Kill Maricopa Leanna Taylor, Friends of MCAC&C
Ashley Houterloot, Volunteer Lisa Zato, Volunteer
Emily Kane, AZVMA
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Next Steps – Dr. Rodrigo Silva
Staff is working on those recommendations and strategies
within their control.
Additional analysis and feasibility studies are needed.
Development of an Implementation Plan
Explore all available options:
Phasing
Leveraging Partnerships
Cultivating New Partnerships
Identification and Deployment of Resources
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ACTION REQUESTED:
To accept the Ad Hoc Task Force final report
and recommendations subject to further
analysis and prioritization.
– Thank you for this opportunity.
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