Lake Forest Animal Network. Part 5 - Comparative Analysis

Next Tuesday, on March 15, the City Council will consider an alternate model of service delivery instead of using the County shelter. We’re spending an entire week looking at this model for Lake Forest residents and their pets. Monday we looked at the current situation with our contract with Orange County. Tuesday we looked at what an intensive analysis of the data suggests as the necessary service delivery. Wednesday we examined the way the model would function. Thursday we examined the budgetary implications of the service delivery model. Today we’ll look at the advantages and disadvantages.

MODEL

The LFAN model works by having local Animal Control Officers pick up stray animals, deliver them to local vets where they are treated and then released to a local pet center where the focus is on adoptions. This model is possible for Lake Forest because of the number and shape of our animals and the presence of a large number of Veterinarians and rescue groups.

COSTS

The operational costs would be approximately the same as we now have using OCAC, but the revenues would be enhanced by licensing cats and by a more aggressive dog licensing program. In a worst case scenario, the City would pay slightly more than we currently pay to OCAC in order to fund the model.

The start-up costs would be less, since OCAC is demanding between $500,000 and $900,000 while the LFAN program is only $400,000.

Bear in mind that the start-up and operational expenses are mostly going to be spent here in Lake Forest, helping the local stores and providers and adding to our tax base. Also bear in mind that overtime the operating costs are likely to go down at a far greater rate using a local model.

BETTER SERVICE

• · Trips to recover your lost pet will take minutes not hours.
• · Advice and support (“Help Desk”) are available locally, to assist in keeping your pet in your home, thus reducing admissions.
• · Important services (microchip, spay and neuter) are available locally and less expensive.
• · Dead animals will be picked up within 24 hours, instead two weeks.

BETTER CARE

• · Animals come directly to Vets instead of going to the OC shelter where disease is more prevalent and behavioral disorders more likely. As a result pets are easier to adopt and less costly to care for.
• · Animals are housed in modern conditions or in foster homes, with less stress and better health conditions, making them more adoptable.
• ◦ Animals spend a few minutes in the animal control truck instead of spending all day.
• ◦ Ratio of volunteers to pets is increased dramatically, providing better care and making animals more sociable, hence more adoptable.
• ◦ No more killing for space, or killing because they are too young.

BETTER FINANCIAL PICTURE

• · Increased revenue for local businesses and residents ($700,000 stays in Lake Forest)
• · Preventive programs lower “at risk” animals and pets, meaning fewer animals in the system, lowering costs
• · “Zero admissions” policies reduces admissions, lowering costs.
• · Projected operating costs and expenses are in balance.

Jobs and Opportunities in Lake Forest

In addition to providing better service, better care, and lowering costs, the proposed program would bring six jobs into the City along with providing opportunities for dozens of people to get involved in helping animals. The jobs would be in the area of animal control and in administering the program. As currently envisioned the animal care program would be administered by a nonprofit group that would contract with the City.

BOTTOM LINE

If you care about your pets, you should come to the City Council on March 15 to advocate that we leave the County and adopt an alternate model.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Dr. Jim Gardner is on the City Council for Lake Forest. You can check him out on LinkedIn and/or Facebook and you can share your thoughts about the City at Lake Forest Town Square on Facebook. His comments are not meant to reflect official City Policy.

Dr. Gardner has office hours every Tuesday from 4 pm to 6 pm at the City Hall. In addition, he holds a Town Hall meeting every quarter. The next meeting will be on March 26 at 2 pm at the Foothill Ranch Public Library.

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