HD56 - The Study of Animal Pounds and Shelters


Executive Summary:
House Joint Resolution (HJR) No. 763 directed the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) to study ways to improve animal care and treatment at pounds and shelters. The Commissioner of Agriculture was directed by the study resolution to appoint a Task Force to assist the Department it its work. The study would include consideration of whether the following should be increased: (i) requirements for the training and continuing education of pound and shelter personnel; (ii) the frequency of Department inspections of pounds and shelters; and (iii) the Department's enforcement authority with respect to pounds and shelters.

To conduct this study the Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Services appointed a task force, as directed by the study resolution. The Task Force, which met on three separate occasions, created three workgroups to report on the issues outlined above. During the meetings the Task Force and each workgroup gathered facts through group discussions, review of VDACS files and other appropriate sources of information.

Key Findings

The Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services reports the following findings with respect to the three issues we were asked to consider:

1. In 1998 legislation was passed by the General Assembly and signed by the Governor requiring animal control officers (ACOs) to attend a basic animal control course, approved by the Department of Criminal Justice Services and the State Veterinarian, within two years of their appointment and to complete continuing education in animal control and protection every three years. A job task analysis of the duties performed by animal control officers had not been done in order to identify minimum training standards for entry level ACOs.

2. Because the primary responsibility of the State Veterinarian's office is to control and eradicate diseases of livestock, sufficient personnel have not been assigned to conduct inspections twice annually to ensure the humane housing and treatment of impounded animals. Most pounds and shelters are inspected annually by State Veterinarian's representatives and less than half are inspected semiannually.

3. A review of VDACS' inspection records revealed that of the 184 inspections of pounds and shelters conducted by the State Veterinarian's representatives during 1998, 21% (39 facilities) had problems that required a follow-up inspection within 90 days. Current law does not provide sufficient incentives for local compliance with animal pound and shelter regulations. When pound or shelter facilities are found to be in violation of regulations, VDACS must depend on obtaining voluntary correction of deficiencies or having the local Commonwealth Attorneys prosecute local government for criminal violations of the Comprehensive Animal Laws.