Humane Society Funding Request
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MEMORANDUM
March 31,2004
TO:
The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
FROM:
Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
SUBJECT: Purchase of Service Agreement with Dubuque Humane Society
During the FY05 budget process the City Council approved an allocation of $31 ,248 for
the Purchase of Service Agreement with the Dubuque Humane Society. This is an
increase of 2% over the prior year contract. The Humane Society did not raise any
concerns during the budget process. The Humane Society is now requesting an
increase to $106,483, which is a 248% increase.
The Purchase of Service Agreement covers animals brought to the Humane Society by
the City of Dubuque Health Services Department and the Police Department. The
contracted amount is not meant to compensate the Humane Society for animals brought
in by citizens.
When animals are brought in by citizens, the Humane Society does receive the
impoundment fee for animals that are subsequently claimed by the owner. The
impoundment fee is $30 for a first offender and $60 for a repeat offender. The Humane
Society also charges a daily boarding fee. If the animal is not claimed by the owner,
then they do not receive compensation, unless the animal is adopted. The Humane
Society adoption fee is $120.
The Humane Society represents that their per animal cost is $102. The City brought
approximately 318 dogs and cats to the Humane Society and paid $30,034 in FY03, for
a payment of $94 an animal.
The City is required by law to hold an animal for three days whose owner is unknown,
and five days for an animal whose owner is known, before disposing of it. This is the
same obligation the Humane Society has through the City contract. If the Humane
Society keeps animals beyond that time to fulfill its humanitarian mission, the City has
no further contractual obligation related to those costs.
The Humane Society has informed the City that they do not intend to provide these
services to the City of Dubuque effective July 1, 2004.
I respectfully request that the Mayor and City Council receive and file the Humane
Society letter and refer the issue to the City Manager so that discussions can be held
with the Humane Society and options explored for the service should the discussions
with the Humane Society not resolve the issue.
(Y/;J{ [~/fZ¡tiJd ~
Michael C. Van Milligen -
MCVM/jh
Attachment
cc: Barry Lindahl, Corporation Counsel
Cindy Steinhauser, Assistant City Manager
Mary Rose Corrigan, RN, Public Health Specialist
CITY OF DUBUQUE, IOWA
MEMORANDUM
March 31, 2004
FROM:
MI,",., C. V," MIIII"i-1\ ~""'e<
Mary Rose COrrigan~Ñ~ Public Health Specialist
TO:
SUBJECT: Humane Society FY 05 Contract
This memorandum provides information related to the letter to the City Council, you,
and myself from the Dubuque Humane Society dated March 30, 2004 and the
subsequent contract they submitted in lieu of the City's proposed contract.
The basis for the City of Dubuque's Animal Control program follows the Code of
Ordinances, which generally speaks to following up on animal bites, apprehending and
controlling stray, loose, and nuisance animals, and dealing with animal sanitation and
nuisance issues. The purpose of the purchase of services agreement between the City
of Dubuque and the Dubuque Humane Society is to aid the City in enforcing its Animal
Control Ordinance, specifically to provide a place for the City to house stray animals
apprehended by the Health Services Department's Animal Control Officer or by the
Police Department. The City is required by law to hold an animal whose owner is
unknown for three days, and an animal whose owner is known for five days before
disposing of it. This language is spelled out in item # 10 of the Humane Society version
of the contract and item # 11 of the City's version of the contract. We do not require the
Humane Society to keep any animals beyond these timeframes.
The Humane Society states that their cost per animal is $102. I question how long
holding an animal this cost is based on. The Humane Society keeps animals as long
as possible in order to adopt them out to new owners. Although this is part of their
purpose, it is not required as part of our contract. Therefore, their cost per animal may
be higher due to keeping it longer than the City's minimum requirements.
The City has maintained that fees paid to the Humane Society cover animals brought in
by the Health Services Department Animal Control and the Police Department. The
contracted amount is not meant to compensate for other animals brought in by citizens.
Stray animals are the responsibility of their owners. The Humane Society does receive
the $30 impoundment fee for animals claimed by citizens that are not brought in by
Animal Control or the Police, (this fee increases to $60 if the animal is claimed multiple
times.) This fee is in addition to the $10 per day boarding and other fees the Humane
Society charges on all animals claimed from the Humane Society. Also, a $120 fee is
charged to anyone adopting an animal from the Humane Society. Attached is a
summary of animals taken to the Dubuque Humane Society by Animal Control.
The amount taken in by the Police Department would be approximately an additional 52
animals per year. The City has no control over the amount or frequency of animals
brought in by citizens.
The FY 04 purchase of services agreement provided $30,635 to the Humane Society.
The proposed FY 05 agreement is for $31 ,248, a 2% increase. This increase is
consistent with past annual increases of 2-3%. The following is a budget summary for
the animal control activity:
BUDGET SUMMARY FY 2003 FY 2004 FY 2005
BUDGET BUDGET BUDGET
Personnel Summary
Full-time Equivalents 1.00 1.00 1.00
Seasonal Equivalents .06 .06 .06
Expenditure Summary
Employee Expense $ 52,090 $ 57,607 $ 60,812
Supplies & Services $ 45,905 $ 53,182 $ 49,540
Capital Outlay $ 430 $ ----.Q $ ------.Q
$ 98,425 $110,789 $110,352
Funding Summary
General $ 98,425 $110,789 $110,352
Revenue Generated $ 83,560 $ 85,200 $ 99,791
In recent years, we have implemented suggestions of the Dubuque Humane Society to
provide incentives for decreasing the amount of unwanted animals. For instance, we
have increased dog and cat licenses to $25 for un neutered animals and $10 for
neutered animals. We have also increased impoundment fees for animals brought to
the Humane Society, particularly those repeated running loose violators.
In reviewing other communities fees paid to Humane Societies, it is difficult to make
comparisons without knowing the specifics in the agreements. Services provided for
the amounts may vary substantially. Also, a more complete analysis would include
more cities, which we will begin researching. In FY 03, the Humane Society received
$30,034 for 318 dogs and cats brought in by the City, or $94/animal. This per animal
amount would decrease slightly if a few miscellaneous or "other" animals were added.
This FY 03 cost is very close to the current Humane Society cost of $102 per animal.
The Dubuque Humane Society's newly proposed contract deletes item # 10 of the City's
contract which states "Society shall not give away or sell any animals in its custody,
except for adoption as pets." I question as to why this has been deleted. If the Society
is giving away or selling animals, except for adoption, I think the City should be entitled
to know how they are doing this.
The Humane Society continues to provide quality services for the City of Dubuque.
Their director, Jane McCall, and I meet periodically to discuss animal control issues and
various aspects of our Purchase of Services Agreement. I did not foresee the Humane
Society requesting this substantial increase and feel we should further discuss the
issues brought forth. We are currently researching the costs for veterinarians holding
and disposing of animals, but ultimately this would result in a bid process. Animal
control costs in other communities will also be researched, along with alternatives to
housing animals at humane societies.
MRC/cj
cc: Sue Barnes, Animal Control Officer
Barry Lindahl, City Attorney
ANIMALS TAKEN TO HUMANE SOCIETY BY CITY OF DUBUQUE ANIMAL
CONTROL
DOGS CATS TOTAL **OTHER TOTAL OF
DOGS & ALL
CATS ANIMALS
FY 02-03 * 156 162 318 48 366
FY 01-02 * 153 91 244 38 282
FY 00-01 * 145 118 263 72 335
FY 99-00 * 179 188 367 64 431
FY 98-99 181 164 345 59 404
FY 97-98 209 229 438 76 514
FY 96-97 223 178 401 107 508
FY 95-96 194 171 365 90 455
FY 94-95 231 173 404 87 491
FY 93-94 190 245 435 70 505
FY 92-93 227 235 462 125 587
FY 91-92 195 214 409 83 492
FY 90-91 208 234 442 64 506
FY 89-90 189 195 384 66 450
FY 88-89 284 284 (dogs only) 283 567
* Does not include animals brought to Humane Society by Police Department.
**Most of the "other animals" are not taken to the Humane Society, i.e. raccoons,
opossum, skunk, etc.
175 North C,e"ent Ridge
Dubuque, IA
52003
Ph. 563-582-6766
Fax 5£3-582-0140
Web,ite www.
dbqhumane.o",
SERVING THE TRI-STATES
March 30, 2004
Dear City Council, Mike Van Milligan and Mary Rose COITÍgan,
Attached you will find a contract ITom the Dubuque Humane Society for
Animal Housing and Services. You will note that it is for a greater amount
than last year's contract. We are seeing more and more unwanted pets that
need our resources. Stray animals are the responsibility of the city and we
cannot afford to continue subsidizing the city's animal control program.
We have spent many hours researching this challenge. Most cities, e,g.:Dè~ .
Moines, Ames, Iowa City, Sioux City and Cedar Rapids have their own Citý}
run pound. Waterloo contracts with the Cedar Bend Humane Society at the
rate of $14,000 per month for 166 animals per month, however the Humane
Society does the animal control too. Muscatine, with a population of25,000,
pays the Muscatine Humane Society $40,000 to house their stray animals and
furnishes their garbage pick up and lawn care at no charge.
Last year our contract was $30,584 and we cared for 1,044 stray animals ITom
the city police, animal control and citizens. That amounts to $29.29 per
animal. Our cost per animal, straight across the board is $102 per animal. In
comparison to 15 other animal shelters, most with similar budgets, we were
second ITom the bottom on a cost per animal basis. Sioux City at $109 per
animal and Muscatine at $110 were the most comparable. According to a
study by the Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science, it cost the average
city/county $176 to pick up a stray, hold the animal for 3 days, euthanize the:
animal and send the body to landfill. '
All of our costs have increased. For example in 1993, our first complete ~
in the new facility, our sewer and water for the year was $391.64, last ye¡\¡-, 0i.Iì-
sewer and water was $1,786.16, that line item alone increased 4.5 timesaltdis'
going up again this year. Although we are a not-for-profit business, wé tu-~
still a business and can no longer continue to subsidize the city at thþcurrent
rate.
Public health and the safety of our citizens are the city's respollsibility. Our
mission is to promote the human animal bond and the humane treatment of all
animals. Forty seven per cent of the animals we care for (1,782) are unwanted
by their owners for one reason or another. We keep them ITom being dumped
on the street. We investigate over 400 cruelty and neglect cases each.yetu- and
we benefit the entire community through our cooperative programs with
Maria House, YWCA Domestic Violence Program, Red Cross, NICe;, Project.
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Concern and the Food Pantry. We will continue to raise funds to cover the
costs of the unwanted animals that we take into the shelter and the proactive
programs we support for pet overpopulation and humane education.
The Dubuque Humane Society Board of Directors is deeply concerned about
the welfare of the City of Dubuque's dogs and cats, as well as, the public
health and safety of our citizens. While we wish to continue to support animal
welfare in Dubuque, we cannot afford to do so by putting our organization at
risk financially. The DHS will continue to take owner-surrendered animals
ITom the city, as wen as, Dubuque County, Jo Daviess County and Grant
County as per our contracts, but without a realistic contract that reimburses
the DHS for its costs in doing so, we would not be able to take strays brought
in by the animal control officer, the police, or city-resident finders. We are
available to answer any questions you may have.
Sincerely,
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Mona Woodward, President
Dubuque Humane Society Board of Directors
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Dubuque Humane Society
Animal Housing and Services Contract
THIS Agreement is made and entered into by and between the City of Dubuque,
Iowa, ("City") and the Dubuque Humane Society ("DHS").
Whereas, City has no' suitable shelter for dogs, cats and other animals which may
be taken up or received pursuant to Article 11 of Chapter 7 of the Code of Ordinances of
the City; and
Whereas, DHS, is an incorporated society which maintains suitable shelter for
animals which may be taken or received pursuant to Article 11 of Chapter 7 of the Code
of Ordinances of the City:"
Whereas, it is deemed to be in the best interest of City to enter into an agreement
with DHS to provide animal housing and services for City.
/
NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS AGREED BETWEEN THE PARTIES HERETO AS
FOLLOWS:
1.
The term of this Agreement shall be ITom July 1,2004 through and including June
30, 2005.
2.
DHS shall provide the shelter and all equipment in the shelter necessary for the
operation of an .animal shelter in accordance with the terms of this agreement and
the laws and administrative rules ofthe State ofIowa, and the City of Dubuque
code of Ordinances.
3.
DHS shaU maintain the shelter in a clean and sanitary manner and will not permit
any condition to exist, which might constitute a public nuisance.
4.
DHS shall manage and operate the shelter and provide proper and adequate
housing and feeding for all animals, which come into its custody.
5.
City shan pay DHS the total sum of $106,483.00 in twelve equal monthly
instaUments for the terms of this agreement.
6.
DHS shan be entitled to retain a daily fee charged for keeping animals received
ITom an animal control officer or City of Dubuque police officer, as wen as aU
daily fees and impoundment fees unrelated to this contract.
DHS shaU not under any circumstances, release an impounded animal to the
owner, without the owner producing certification that aU impoundment and
license fees have been paid to the City.
7.
8.
9.
In the event City places animals of any type with DHS, which animal or animals,
either because of the number of such animals or the nature of the animal, requires
special accommodations outside the normal accommodations or capacity ofDHS,
City shall reimburse DHS for the fair and reasonable cost of care of such animals,
provided DHS shall submit to City not less than weekly a statement showing the
cost of such care. In the event the number or nature of the animal or animals
placed by the City exceeds the care capacity ofDHS, DHS shall make every
effort to assist the City in either caring for such animals at their current location or
assist the City in finding alternative accommodations for such animals. In the
event alternative accommodations are required, the City shall be responsible for
payment of the cost of such alternative accommodations.
DHS shall provide twenty four hour service, seven days a week at the Shelter for
the purpose of receiving animals under this contract.
The DHS shan be open to the public ITOm 9:00 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, Monday
through Friday and ITom 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Saturdays and noon to 4:00
p.m. on Sundays, holidays excepted, for the convenience of the public and for the
purpose of transacting business in connection with the services to be provided
under this Agreement.
DHS shall accept, handle, care for, maintain and provide humane disposition for
all animals brought to it.
10.
DHS shall not dispose of any impounded, licensed dog or cat until at least five
days after the notice to the owner required by Article 11 of Chapter 7 of the City of
Dubuque Code of Ordinances has been made. Impounded, unlicensed dogs or
cats shall not be disposed of until at least three days after the date of
impoundment.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, DHS may, in its sole discretion, at any time,
euthanize vicious dogs or other vicious animals, ifDHS determines such dog or
other animal constitutes a danger to the public or to the DHS' s employees or staff,
and feral cats may be disposed of immediately.
11.
DHS shall prominently display in the shelter a Certificate of Registration and such
other licenses as may be required by the Iowa Department of Agriculture.
12.
The shelter, housing facilities and records required by the Iowa Department of
Agriculture shall be open for inspection by the Public Health Specialist of the
City of Dubuque.
13.
The insurance requirements shall be as set forth on the attached Insurance
Schedule.
14.
This Agreement may be terminated by either party providing six months written
notice to the other party by certified U.S. mail addressed to the City Manager,
City Hall or to Society's President, as the case may be.
15.
DHS shall furnish to City a œport ofDHS's annual meeting and a list of its
officers by no later than July 31,2004.
IN WITNESS HEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement in two
copies.
CITY OF DUBUQUE
DUBUQUE HUMANE SOCIETY
By:
Terrance M. Duggan, Mayor
By:
Mona Woodward, President
$120
$100
$-
DUBUQUE HUMANE SOCIETY
Comparison of Costs per Animal v. City of Dubuque Reimbursement Over Time
$80
$60
$40 .
+" ~ ..........-' ..
$20 +~~--. ._~-~
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
---J
""'OHS Cost
~CitY Reimbursement
DUBUQUE HUMANE SOCIETY
Percentage of Stray City Animals Received by DHS Categorized by Source
100%
90%.
80%11
~.
70%-1...
II
50%
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
60%
30%-.,
20%
10%