Agenda 04/09/2024 Item #16D 6 (Authorize DASD to continue providing the Helping Hearts Healing Program)04/09/2024
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Recommendation that the Board approves authorization to the Domestic Animal Services Division to
continue providing the Helping Hearts Heal Program to facilitate medical treatment for animals with
heartworms that are in DAS custody or have been recently adopted.
OBJECTIVE: To treat animals with heartworms once they are in foster care or adopted. This helps reduce the
animal population and increase the adoption rates for these animals, while they continue to receive proper medical
care.
CONSIDERATIONS: The program provides treatment for heartworm disease for animals within our care or has
been recently adopted. This program has been in effect for over ten (10) years to help increase adoptions and
provide high-quality care for animals. If left untreated heartworms can result in severe lung disease, heart failure,
other organ damage, and even death. Providing this treatment program for the animals within our shelter/care or
animals that have been recently adopted is in the animal’s best interest. It is also in the shelter’s best interest, as
prospective adopters are hesitant to adopt an animal with heartworms. Our experience is that the program helps
animals get adopted faster, which allows them to continue to receive the required medical treatment and decreases
our overall costs to the animal shelter for care.
The average cost for treatment when making appointments can significantly vary depending upon the veterinary
clinic that is used for the treatment, as well as the size of the dog. The current average cost at Harborside Animal
Clinic ranges between $250 - $350 for the entire treatment. The current average cost from Brown Veterinary Clinic
average between $99 - $250 for a single injection. These costs include the cost of the medication and veterinarian
treatment. Some of the other clinics are upwards of $500 for the treatment of heartworms.
This program is currently being handled by the on-site Domestic Animal Services (DAS) veterinarian, so the only
cost is the time of the DAS veterinarian and the cost of the medication. This has significantly reduced the costs
from prior years when animals were brought to clinics for the treatments. The medication costs range depending on
the size of the animal from approximately $70 (10-pound dog) to $375 (100-pound dog). Based on the range and
weights of typical DAS animals, the costs are typically $200 or less for the medications per animal, which provides
the County cost savings by completing these treatments in-house. With an increase in costs for medication in FY
2024, the anticipated average cost for medication is $240 per dog when treated by the on-site veterinarian.
If necessary, DAS has negotiated plans and prices with some clinics to provide heartworm treatments at a reduced
cost. This is a backup plan in the event the DAS veterinarian is unavailable.
FISCAL IMPACT: Based on the past two (2) years, the program costs approximately $90,000 annually (when this
program was fully outsourced to clinics due to not having an on-site DAS veterinarian). Based on having an on-site
DAS veterinarian, the program costs are estimated to be approximately $75,000 annually (increase based on
increased costs for medications).
Funds will be available in fund 1149 DAS Medical Donation; however, this fund was just created on October 24,
2023, and will have fund increases based on recent fundraisers and donation commitments. The amount of
donations over time varies, so if there are not enough funds in the medical donation fund, then the general fund
0001 would be used.
GROWTH MANAGEMENT IMPACT: There is no Growth Management impact associated with this action.
LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS: This item has been reviewed by the County Attorney, is approved as to form and
legality and requires majority vote for approval. -JAK
RECOMMENDATION: To approve authorization to the Domestic Animal Services Division to continue
providing the Helping Hearts Heal Program to facilitate medical treatment for animals with heartworms that are in
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04/09/2024
DAS custody or have been recently adopted.
Prepared By: Megan Gaillard, Division Director, Corporate Compliance and Continuous Improvement Division
16.D.6
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COLLIER COUNTY
Board of County Commissioners
Item Number: 16.D.6
Doc ID: 27523
Item Summary: Recommendation that the Board approves authorization to the Domestic Animal Services
Division to continue providing the Helping Hearts Heal Program to facilitate medical treatment for animals with
heartworms that are in DAS custody or have been recently adopted.
Meeting Date: 04/09/2024
Prepared by:
Title: Manager Corp Compliance and Continuous Improvement – Corporate Compliance and Continuous
Improvement
Name: Megan Gaillard
12/14/2023 10:54 AM
Submitted by:
Title: Manager Corp Compliance and Continuous Improvement – Corporate Compliance and Continuous
Improvement
Name: Megan Gaillard
12/14/2023 10:54 AM
Approved By:
Review:
Domestic Animal Services Marcy Perry Additional Reviewer Completed 12/14/2023 1:18 PM
Operations & Veteran Services Jeff Weir OVS Director Review Completed 12/18/2023 8:25 AM
Public Services Department Todd Henry Level 1 Department Review Completed 12/21/2023 11:43 AM
Public Services Department Tanya Williams PSD Department Head Review Completed 04/01/2024 3:03 PM
Office of Management and Budget Debra Windsor Level 3 OMB Gatekeeper Review Completed 04/01/2024 3:12 PM
Corporate Compliance and Continuous Improvement Megan Gaillard Additional Reviewer Completed
04/01/2024 4:59 PM
County Attorney's Office Jeffrey A. Klatzkow Level 3 County Attorney's Office Review Completed 04/01/2024 5:29 PM
Office of Management and Budget Blanca Aquino Luque OMB Reviewer Completed 04/02/2024 8:48 AM
County Manager's Office Dan Rodriguez Level 4 County Manager Review Completed 04/03/2024 9:08 AM
Board of County Commissioners Geoffrey Willig Meeting Pending 04/09/2024 9:00 AM
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