Department: County Administration
Department Head/Elected Official: Diana Ramirez, County Administrator
Regular or Supplemental RCA: Regular RCA
Type of Request: Transmittal
Project ID (if applicable): N/A
Vendor/Entity Legal Name (if applicable): N/A
MWDBE Contracted Goal (if applicable): N/A
MWDBE Current Participation (if applicable): N/A
Justification for 0% MWDBE Participation Goal: N/A - Goal not applicable to request
Request Summary (Agenda Caption):
title
Transmittal by the Office of County Administration of a report addressing Commissioners Court’s request for an evaluation of setting up a separate Veterinary Public Health Division, how Harris County might further partner with nonprofits for veterinary services, and potential consolidation and coordination opportunities.
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Background and Discussion:
On June 4, 2024, the Harris County Commissioners Court directed the Office of County Administration - Research and Analysis Division “…to evaluate setting up a separate Veterinary Public Health Division and report what they find in terms of peers, and to work with Public Health and the Veterinary Advisory Committee on that project and recommendation.”
Then on August 6, 2024, the Harris County Commissioners Court additionally directed the Office of County Administration (OCA) - Research and Analysis Division to expand the scope of the study to “…study the partnership with Empty Shelters Inc as well as other similar nonprofits on ways to have them do public health pet related functions and to talk to the city of Houston about possible consolidation and coordination opportunities and to bring the study back the last court meeting in October.”
The Research and Analysis Division (RAD) reviewed literature and conducted interviews with eight entities in seven jurisdictions with six of which run animal shelters, met with the Harris County Veterinary Public Health Advisory Committee, and regional veterinary non-profits, including the Empty Shelter Project. RAD finds that there is no one organizational structure, function, or program which can fully address the issues of shelter over-crowding and stray animals.
Furthermore, despite implementing strategies such as spay/neuter programs, community cat and Trap-Neuter-Release (TNR) programs, foster programs, and other programs, including resource provision for owners struggling to care for their pets, staff in all six entities assessed stated that they are struggling with overcapacity due to the growing population of either stray or owner-surrendered animals.
This RCA is a transmittal; if directed by Commissioners Court, OCA and Harris County Public Health can develop a discussion agenda item for the November 12, 2024 Commissioners Court meeting on this topic.
Expected Impact: N/A
Alternative Options: N/A
Alignment with Goal(s):
_ Justice and Safety
_ Economic Opportunity
_ Housing
X Public Health
_ Transportation
_ Flooding
_ Environment
X Governance and Customer Service
Prior Court Action (if any):
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Date |
Agenda Item # |
Action Taken |
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09/19/2024 |
458 |
No Action-Request by the Commissioner of Precinct 3 for an update on the report regarding the separation of Veterinary Public Health from the Public Health Department. |
Location:
Address (if applicable): N/A
Precinct(s): Countywide
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Anticipated Court Date: October 29, 2024
Anticipated Implementation Date (if different from Court date): N/A
Emergency/Disaster Recovery Note: Not an emergency, disaster, or COVID-19 related item
Contact(s) name, title, department: Pernilla Johansson, Director, Research and Analysis Division
Attachments (if applicable): VPH_FINAL_10.29.24