Title
A Resolution Of The City Commission Of The City Of Hollywood, Florida, Endorsing The Pooches & Kitties In Hollywood, Inc. Program In The City Of Hollywood.
Body
Staff Recommends: The Approval of the Attached Resolution
Explanation:
Code Compliance Animal Control Officers have been working to find a solution for the abundance of animal calls for service, stray animals, feral cat colonies, abused animals, dangerous animals, and lost animals. Broward County Animal Control has limited resources and hours of operation, routinely euthanize, and have not met the needs of the community.
In checking with surrounding communities the City of Pembroke Pines has had tremendous success with a 4 year old program “Pooches in Pines”. Pooches in Pines, Inc., a State of Florida 501 (C) 3 not for profit Corporation located in the City of Pembroke Pines, has established a successful animal rescue program reuniting pets with owners at an 80% success rate saving several hundred animals in just the 4 years since being operational. This program run by volunteer’s, Animal control, and Police focuses on reuniting lost animals with owners through a website. Stray animals that are found are immediately photographed and posted on the website for owners to view, and owners with lost pets can post photos for the public to view. The program provides animal fostering and animal adoption thus minimizing euthanasia and creating a no-kill environment.
Pooches and Kitties in Hollywood, Inc., is a not for profit 501(C3) that has been established mirroring the Pembroke Pines “Pooches in Pines” to address the growing animal issues in Hollywood. The Program intends to use Pooches in Pines, Inc.’s proven business model as a guideline establishing rules and policies expanding and incorporating a city wide initiative in partnership with the H.A.R.T. program.
The program works as follows: Code Compliance Animal Control or Police respond to an animal call. Any lost, abandoned animal, or abused animal will be taken into custody. Lost or abandoned animals will be placed in the rescue center, posted on both the City’s and the 501(C)3 websites in attempt to locate the owner. If no owner is located the animal will be placed in a foster home until adopted. Abused animals are treated and held for evidence for the criminal case. Trained Volunteers assist in the animal care while in the rescue center. Feral cats colonies identified in the city are trapped and sterilized and returned to the colony thus preventing the colony from growing and eventually eliminating feral cat colonies within the city. All animals adopted receive sterilization and all vaccinations. An adoption fee is charged for adoption supplementing costs for the program.
On May 23, 2018 a Stan Goldman Community Park Meeting was held at the David Park Community Center to get local residents’ input on the improvements of the Stan Goldman Park. The results of that meeting were prioritized and creating an Animal Rescue Shelter was voted as priority #2.
As a result of that meeting representatives and supporters of Pooches and Kitties in Hollywood, Inc. created a presentation showing the need for the proposed rescue shelter. The proposed renderings showed the renovation of the current concession stand portion of the City building located in Stan Goldman Park to accommodate a pet rescue shelter including a preliminary estimate to complete the renovations, potential grants, donation opportunities, and proposed staffing in stages as the program grows. This presentation will be given on 10/17/2018 at the scheduled Commission meeting.
The proposed H.A.R.T program, Hollywood Animal Rescue Team will be run by the City Of Hollywood, consisting of Code Compliance Animal Control Officers in conjunction with the Hollywood Police Department, investigating animal complaints and abuse, enhanced by the Pooches and Kitties in Hollywood Inc. rescue center and volunteer program.
Recommended for inclusion on the agenda by:
Dr. Wazir A. Ishmael, City Manager
George R. Keller, Jr., CPPT, Assistant City Manager, Public Safety
Sylvia Glazer, Public Works, Director
Paul Basser, Director, Procurement & Contract Compliance