Animal Control Census System

About the Program

Category: Information Technology (Best in Category)

Year: 2009

Oakland County Animal Control was established in 1919 to enforce pet ownership laws and to control the stray pet population in Oakland County. In addition to conducting animal bite investigations and responding to animal cruelty complaints, OCAC conducts an annual pet census throughout Oakland County’s municipalities. This annual census promotes the enforcement of Michigan’s pet licensing laws, which is one of OCAC’s key responsibilities. The OCAC requested the Oakland County Department of Information Technology (OCIT) to assist in streamlining the process of the yearly pet census. OCIT developed and implemented a census system that utilizes the existing pet licensing system to target homes of potential violation for visitation, removing homes already licensed, vacant homes, and businesses. OCIT has also developed and implemented a field entry system which eliminated duplicate entry of data. The results were more efficient use of census workers’ time; increased number of newly licensed and rabies vaccinated pets, as well as increased revenue produced by the Census Program.