RctommciuiiUion #5. I UNr^iNC] i;n»()K('i;mi:n I cosrs. 



Ihc Aninuil Wi-Hjiic Sccdoii <>( (lie iK-partinc-nl ol Agiiciillmc cunvnlly licenses 142 

 hoariling lacililios, h9 pel shops, aiul 10 ckakis. In aclclilion. 15 animal shelleis arc 

 cnrrcnily regislcicd under Ihc Animal Wcllaic Acl. ihc Director ol (he Animal Wellare 

 Section, who is the chid enlorcer ol (he Animal Wellare Acl. is principally involved in 

 the stale's livestock inspection program. Some eighteen livestock inspectors also inspect 

 the lacilities or estahlishments which conllne Jogs and cats. 



The atklilion of some 7.5 connly inul municipal shelters under the Animal Welfare 

 Acl will require three additional inspcclois and one secretary, '['he cost of additional 

 personnel is approximately $150. 000. Alter review of various funding options, the 

 conniiittee decided that rabies shots should be subject to a $0.50 fee -to be specifically 

 designated on the rabies certificate, already recjuired by State law, as going to the 

 "Animal Wellare Act Enforcement liiud." Under stale law. animals not wearing (he 

 required rabies tag may be impounded. The committee determined that it was 

 appropriate for animal owners, who i>lacc a burden on local governments, and who may 

 also benefit from minimum standards in animal control lacilities. to directly assist in 

 paying the costs of insuring mininniin standards lor the humane treatment of confined 

 animals. 



The funds generated by the lee would be paid to the Department of Human 

 Resources, and then directed to the Animal Wellare Section in the Department of 

 Agriculluie. This method oi funding would provide, at a minimum, approximately 

 $256,500. 



Because the committee believes that all counties should have some level of animal 

 control (see Recommendation #4), money not allocalcd (o enforcement costs would be 

 available for funding improvements to animal control facilities or for new construction. 

 'I'he draft bill includes a pr(wision for a rabies vaccination fee. 



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