HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0376.002 2000-2002
FROM NATIONAL ANIMAL CONTROL ASSN FAX N0. 19137681378 Oct. 25 2001 04:22PM P1
1 0l 1 ~ 1 1~ 1 ~1V 1.,C~JI~ an~~] ~
CC)~°T`~OI~ ~~SOCI1 ~~~ON~
SEItVII`1G GOVEILNIVxENTS NC)Nl'IiOFITS SINCE 1.978
'Io: C;onnie IGriu
Boom: J. zhnnie W: Mays
Date: October 25, 2001
Subject: Follow-up Information
Sorry for t)~e delay. The attached statement. is N.AC,A's response t.o all follow-up
comments t ~ the lZeport.
Both Mary :ind I will make ourselves available for the conference call on Novezx~ber 6"`.
It is our urrclerst.andin~ that >_lte conference call will occur at the following times:
Marv in St.. Louis - 1:15 p.m. (Phone number is 314-727-7017)
~ Johm in Nonh Carolina - 2:15 p.zxt. (Phone number is 828-~92-4228)
If any t.eehmical instructions are required regardizlg the conference call, please provide
them.
Thaxrks again for your assistance.
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1`ROM Tres DBSI; OF... C°~ ~°-I
JOHNNIL• W. MAYS ~ ~ ~ j' i
EXECUTIVE DCRC: C'C'pCt
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1~IATIOIVALANTMAr,C(~I~YT'ROL11550C1ATION ~
P.O. ~3ox 48085 [ sz
KANSAS C]-tY, M0.64148
9I3-768.1319 ~ ~ `
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FROM NATIONAL ANIMAL CONTROL ASSN FAX N0. 19137681378 Oct. 25 2001 04:22PM P2
N,t~,CA's l[tespor~se to Followwup Commemts
The National A,nixnal Control Associar.ion (NACA) appreciates the efforts of all those
involved wits this process. The responses received confirm the need for the County,
'E~dII-1S ar~d t'.1e com;xxlunity to work together to resolve those issues which affect the
quality of lif~° for animals in l---lawaii Count}~
While the ec?ncept of change is sornetixxles intimidating, NACA. views the situation in
HEawaii Cou~ity as an excellent opportunity to increase the level of interaction between
government and citizens regarding animal-related issues_ Some of the recommendations
offered by 1\ ACA require a financial coxtlmitmexlt on the part of taxpayers. Others do
not. The County and citizens should now work together to establish a plan for the
future. Any delay in irnprovement.s will only postpone the inevitable: increased costs to
taxpayers and a deteriorating relationship between humans and animals.
NACA stands by its obsexvat.ion that the County should establish a new field program
within the Police 1~epartmextt. The establishment of such a program is not unique to
NACA. 1n 1 X98, the City of Chattanooga, Tennessee, built their first field program from
"scratch." After out.soureing their field program t.o a local humane society since 1910,
the City of Chattanooga embraced NACA's proposed transition with open arms. Upon
retaining a xcew manager, the agency built an effective field program (within the Police
l~epartznent) around the manager, hiring qualified personnel, purchasing equipment, and
partneringvrith local animal welfare groups to address local animal problems. In fact, the
City considered the future of its Animal Control program t.o be so important as to design
(and build) its own Animal Control vehicle in-house, which is somet.hixxg unheard of in
this busines.>. A short 3 years later, the Animal Control operation in Chattanooga is now
one of the p~•emiEre programs within the State of Tennessee. The success in Chattanooga
can be direc•:ly attributed to the estahlishment of a unwavering partnership between the
local government and citizens.
The City of Nashville, 'Texuxessee, recently experienced a similar upgrade to their entire
program. )[n 1998, NACA rated the Nashville operation as one of the worst in the
United States. NACA recommended that the City of Nashville completely overhaul
every aspect of the operation, basically buildin}; a new program from the ground up. A
1999 follov~-up evaluation by NACA conFrmed the p~r-ogx~ss of that agency. On
~ecembcr I , 2001, the City of Nashville will officially opexl it.s ne~vv $3 xxtillion facility.
In addition to a new animal shelter, the City of Nashville increased it.s staff size,
puxchased ecluipznent and vehicles, est.a.blished an anunal cruelty ixxvestigations unit, and
has received donations of equipment and labor for its new spay/neuter clinic. 1n return,
citizens have received an improved Ievel of service, increased anizx~al adoptions, and a
decrease in <<nimai euthanasia.
FROM NATIONAL ANIMAL CONTROL ASSN FAX N0. 19137681378 Oct. 25 2001 04:23PM P3
'While NAC.~, is proud of these specific accomplishments, it cannot be overlooked that
these situat.i >ns would not have been improved without a firm commitment from
government and. taxpayers. As stated in the final report., "Animal Control is an
investment in reduced costs -monetary and otherwise ~ for the future." f'he destiny of
Animal Control services within Hawaii County is now the responsibility of each citizen.
You xx~ust ch pose to: 1) make a commitment to fund and operate an effective Animal
Control pro~;xarr~, or; 2) allow current problems to be left unaddressed, resulting in
increased costs for taxpayers, the escalation of safety and health concerns, axed the
continued euthanasia of u.x~,wanted animals. The choice is obvious.
And while T~ACA's on-site work has finished, the support. of Animal ControUCare
specialists throughout the United States will be never-ending. NACA's post-evaluation
support continues well after the Study 'T'eam's departure. NACA remains committed to
the evaluati ~n process as long as required. NACA continues to communicate with
agencies whc~ utilized our services years ago. While we may never be able to resolve every
issue to each citizen's satisfaction, we would sixxcexely hope that we all can strive to find
common gro and and work towards fulfilling coAxunon goals. 'Worki.n~ together, we can
all make a d .fference.
Mary Metzner and John Mays
National Animal Control Association
_
AL KONISI-II y~~ DONALD IKEDA
County Clerk Deputy County Clerk
'Vpt ~ MP~
r°°'P`~ CONSTANCE R. KIR[U
Legisfative Auditor
OFFICE OF THE COUNTY CLERK
County of Hawaii
Hawaii County Building
25 At~puni Street
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
Telephone: 961-8255
Facsimile: 961-8912
PLEASE APPEND THIS COMMUNICATION TO
COMMUNICATION N0.376
"Independent Evaluation of the
Animal Control Prograiaa
of the County of Hawaii"
National Animal Control Association
September 2001
Communication 376. , 2