Broward County Commission Regular Meeting

MOTION TO ADOPT Resolution No. 2014-248 directing the County Administrator to publish Notice of Public Hearing to be held on Tuesday, May 13, 2014, at 2:00 p.m., in Room 422 of the Governmental Center to consider enactment of a proposed Ordinance, the title of which is as follows:

AN ORDINANCE OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF BROWARD COUNTY, FLORIDA, PERTAINING TO ANIMAL CARE AND ADOPTION PET RETENTION AND REDEMPTION PROGRAMS; AMENDING SECTION 4-28 OF THE BROWARD COUNTY CODE OF ORDINANCES ("CODE"), TO PROVIDE CIVIL PENALTY AND FEE PAYMENT OPTIONS FOR PET OWNERS; AND PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY, INCLUSION IN THE CODE, AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE.

(Sponsored by the Board of County Commissioners)
 

The proposed Ordinance was prepared by the Office of the County Attorney at the direction of the Board of County Commissioners at its meeting of March 18, 2014.

Amends Section 4-28 of the Broward County Code of Ordinances to provide civil penalty and fee payment options for pet owners.

On March 18, 2014, the Board of County Commissioners ("Board") directed the Office of the County Attorney to prepare an Ordinance amending Chapter 4, "Animals," of the Broward County Code of Ordinances, to provide authority for Animal Care and Adoption Division staff to offer pet owners options regarding payment of civil penalties and fees in order to achieve a higher rate of family pet retention and redemption from the County shelter with the intent to lower shelter intake and increase positive outcomes for family pets.

The proposed amendments address aspects of the County's Pet Retention Program that impede successful reunification of animals with their owners. The amendments would authorize civil penalty and fee payment options to help pet owners avoid a "forced surrender" of a family pet due to lack of available funds. Upon enactment of the proposed Ordinance, it is anticipated that the number of animals surrendered to the County shelter will be reduced, and there will be an increase in live outcomes for those animals that do enter the shelter.

The proposed amendments to Chapter 4 support the Board's Resolution No. 2012-271, which was adopted on April 3, 2012, aspiring to become a No-Kill Community. On April 11, 2014, the Broward County Animal Care Advisory Committee voted unanimously to support and recommend that the Board enact the proposed Ordinance.