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RESOLUTION R-1617-70: A RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORMAN, OKLAHOMA, ESTABLISHING A GOAL THAT THE NORMAN ANIMAL WELFARE CENTER STRIVE TO ACHIEVE “NO EUTHANIZATION OF ADOPTABLE ANIMALS”; AND RENAMING OF THE CITIZEN OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE TO THE ANIMAL WELFARE OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE.
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BACKGROUND: In 2011 the Animal Shelter Oversight Committee hosted several public information presentations regarding the Norman Animal Welfare Center and the possibility of building a new animal shelter. On November 8, 2011, the residents of Norman voted to approve building a new shelter. During those meetings, several audience members questioned why the Norman Animal Welfare Center was not a “no kill” facility. In May 2011 the Animal Shelter Oversight Committee prepared a Resolution to establish a goal that the Norman Animal Welfare Center strive to be a “No Kill of Adoptable Animals” facility, but due to the construction of the new shelter, was never sent to City Council for approval.
The Animal Welfare Oversight Committee members voted on November 28, 2016, to submit a proposed Resolution to the Norman City Council Oversight Committee. Legal staff, along with the Norman Police Department and Norman Animal Welfare Center staff, presented the proposed Resolution to the City Council on December 15, 2016, at its Council Oversight Committee meeting. In addition to adopting a goal of “No Euthanization of Adoptable Animals”, it was recommended to rename the citizen oversight committee from Animal Shelter Oversight Committee to the Animal Welfare Oversight Committee. At that meeting, the City Council Oversight Committee recommended that the proposed Resolution move forward for formal Council consideration.
DISCUSSION: The proper care for the animals received by the Norman Animal Welfare Center is critical to the City’s mission of providing the best possible services to the Norman citizens. The Norman Animal Welfare Center is designed to promote adoption rather than euthanasia of reasonably healthy animals with of reasonably sound temperament. On March 8, 2016, the Norman City Council adopted Ordinance O-1617-18 amending Sec. 3-206 “Owner Relinquishment of Dogs and Cats” to require the Animal Welfare Center to accept any dog or cat from within the city limits of Norman that the owner desires to release to the Center. The Norman Animal Welfare Center currently has a live release rate of over 90% and no animals have been euthanized for due to space limitations in over two years.
Further, the Animal “Shelter” Oversight Committee is more aptly named as the Animal “Welfare” Oversight Committee.
RECOMMENDATION: Based on the above and foregoing, Resolution R-1617-70 as described is being forwarded to City Council for formal consideration.