Authorizing City Council's Committees on Public Property and Public Works & Appropriations to hold hearings investigating the quality of resources and funding levels of the Philadelphia Animal Care and Control Team and explore the need for any additional resources to meet the City of Philadelphia's needs.

WHEREAS, The Philadelphia Animal Care and Control Team (ACCT Philly), has been serving the City of Philadelphia as the sole responsible organization for enforcing code requirements and providing recovery and adoption services as they relate to animals since 2012; and

WHEREAS, ACCT Philly had an annual intake of 23,000 animals in 2016 and operated in 19,000 square foot facility that is shared between 340 animals and 90 employees and other organizations; and

WHEREAS, In his testimony before the Committee of the Whole during the 2016 annual budget hearings, the Managing Director for Philadelphia reported that: “Since assuming operations for these functions in 2012, ACCT Philly has achieved a 42% decrease in animal euthanasia, handled more animals, and performed more pet adoptions”; and

WHEREAS, Further testimony provided by the Managing Director notes: “ACCT Philly boasts a lifesaving rate of 77% - an historic high for the organization, and one of the highest rates in the nation for an open intake shelter serving a major city. This rate could be further increased with additional resources”; and

WHEREAS, The City of Philadelphia has a obligation to ensure that there are adequate resources devoted to the proper and safe care of animals under ACCT Philly’s responsibility; and

WHEREAS, The facility in place for Chicago Animal Care & Control is 54,000 square feet that houses 500 animals and has an intake of 17,000 animals annually; and

WHEREAS, The facility in place for Tucson, Arizona is 63,000 square feet that houses 738 animals and has an intake of 18,266 animals annually; and

WHEREAS, The Council of the City of Philadelphia seeks to ensure that the quality of services provided by ACCT Philly best meet the needs of the City overall by examining the best practices of responsible authorities across the country; now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the City Council Committees on Public Property and Public Works & Appropriations are hereby authorized to hold hearings to investigate the quality of resources and funding levels of the Philadelphia Animal Care and Control Team and explore the need for any additional resources to meet the City of Philadelphia’s needs.

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