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February 17, 2010 <br /> <br />To: Joint Elected Officials <br />From: Karen Gaffney, Health and Human Services Assistant Director <br /> <br />Subject: Community Animal Care and Education Center <br /> <br />Background <br /> <br />The current facility that houses Lane County Animal Services (LCAS) and the Eugene <br />Spay/Neuter Clinic was built in the late 1970s, and is co-owned by Lane County, Eugene, and <br />Springfield. When the facility was constructed it was state of the art and a significant step <br />forward for animal care and control, providing for important services in the community. <br /> <br />LCAS is an open door shelter for dogs for the three jurisdictions, meaning that we cannot turn <br />away stray, abused, or homeless dogs based on health or behavioral issues. The situation for <br />cats is slightly different, with LCAS serving cats in Eugene and unincorporated Lane County as <br />space in the cattery allows, managing waiting lists for much of the year. The building was <br />originally built at approximately 6,700 square feet, with later remodeling to slightly expand the <br />office and storage and to add a small cattery. The current shelter has 30 indoor dog kennels. <br />For a number of reasons, the building no longer meets the needs of the community. <br /> <br />Issues related to animal care and control have historically been very important to the <br />community, generating significant public involvement whenever these issues are discussed. In <br />response to constituent interest and comment, Lane County has taken many steps to improve <br />services related to homeless, abused, and neglected animals. <br /> <br />In 2003, the Board of Commissioners appointed a citizen Animal Regulation Advisory Task <br />Force, and in its report it called for the addition of 60 kennels and for “either a thorough <br />overhaul or a complete replacement of the LCARA (now LCAS) facility.” <br /> <br />In 2005, the Board of Commissioners brought a Denver architectural consultant from Animal <br />Arts to the community to conduct a needs assessment. After extensive interviews and <br />analysis, the needs assessment recommended construction of a new 22,000 square foot <br />shelter. The assessment was clear that “the goal of any renovation, expansion, or new shelter <br />should be to create a safe, efficient, and humane facility. The report highlighted specific <br />concerns about the ADA accessibility of the facility, as well as stating “the arrangement and <br />flow of the existing facility does not allow for the segregation of animal control functions and <br />public access. This permits conflicts between potentially dangerous animals and the public.” <br />The report suggested improvements for parking and for the entry and reception that would <br />project a friendly image and minimize human/animal, dog/dog, and dog/cat conflicts. The <br />report addresses needed facility improvements to address adoptions, stray animals, animal <br />holding areas, and animal handling and evaluation. <br /> <br />In 2007, the Board of Commissioners appointed a citizen task force to make recommendations <br />about how Lane County could do more to save adoptable and treatable animals. The task <br />force looked at best practices from shelters across the country and presented 10 key <br />recommendations that would significantly improve the county’s ability to save adoptable and <br />treatable animals. <br /> <br />H <br />DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES | ADMINISTRATION | 125 EAST 8AVE, EUGENE, OREGON 97401 <br />TELEPHONE: 541.682.4035 | TDD NON-VOICE 541.682.3896 | FAX 541.682.3804 | LANECOUNTY.ORG/HHS <br />