HomeMy WebLinkAbout20162894.tiffSteve Moreno
RESOLUTION
RE: APPROVE AGREEMENT FOR VETERINARY SERVICES AND TREATMENT OF
STRAY ANIMALS AND AUTHORIZE CHAIR TO SIGN - PET EMERGENCY HOSPITAL
WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners of Weld County, Colorado, pursuant to
Colorado statute and the Weld County Home Rule Charter, is vested with the authority of
administering the affairs of Weld County, Colorado, and
WHEREAS, the Board has been presented with an Agreement for Veterinary Services
and Treatment of Stray Animals between the County of Weld, State of Colorado, by and through
the Board of County Commissioners of Weld County, on behalf of the Sheriffs Office, and Pet
Emergency Hospital, commencing upon full execution and ending with further terms and
conditions being as stated in said agreement, and
WHEREAS, after review, the Board deems it advisable to approve said agreement, a copy
of which is attached hereto and incorporated herein by reference.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of County Commissioners of Weld
County, Colorado, that the Agreement for Veterinary Services and Treatment of Stray Animals
between the County of Weld, State of Colorado, by and through the Board of County
Commissioners of Weld County, on behalf of the Sheriff's Office, and Pet Emergency Hospital be
and hereby is, approved.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED by the Board that the Chair be, and hereby is, authorized
to sign said agreement.
The above and foregoing Resolution was, on motion duly made and seconded, adopted
by the following vote on the 14th day of September, A.D., 2016.
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
WELD COUNTY, COLORADO
ATTEST: dotite4) jcito; ci
Weld County Clerk to the Board
BYOki
eputy Clerk to the Boar
P --PROVE
ounty Attorney
Date of signature: I0 t S/ Vo
C -c -t SOCso)
tioraollco
Mike Freeman, Ch
2016-2894
SO0037
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
PASS -AROUND REVIEW/ WORK SESSION REQUEST
RE: Request for Signature for Pet Emergency Hospital contract update
DEPARTMENT: Sheriff's Office DATE: 09/02/2016
PERSON REQUESTING: Jennifer Oftelie, Budget Manager
Brief description of the problem/issue:
Pets Emergency Hospital (PEH) is requesting an increase in their contracted service rates from $120 per occurrence to
$135 per occurrence. This is the first increase in many years, and is still significantly less than the full cost for regularly
priced visits. PEH is a 24 hour facility that is utilized by the Sheriffs Office for both Code Enforcement / Animal Control
and for some needs involving the K-9 unit. If the public finds an injured animal after hours, they can bring it in to PEH,
who contacts our Code Enforcement Unit and we give them a case number. Most lab work can be done on sight. If an
animal needs surgery, they are a critical care facility. They refer other vets to us if they can't handle our requests. PEH
works with us for wildlife, and they do the decapitation necessary for rabies testing, and work with the health department.
One of the vets is an area expert on rabies and animal diseases, so he is working with us to help our tranquilizer training,
reducing costs elsewhere in our Code Enforcement budget.
There isn't any type of non -compete clause mentioned in the contract, so services can be sought elsewhere whenever it is
necessary or convenient. The County Attorney's office has reviewed the contract and has no issues. We have a well -
established working relationship with this facility, and they meet our needs for this service.
What options exist for the Board? (Include consequences, impacts, costs, etc. of options)
1) Authorize Chair to sign the contract.
2) Request more information and schedule a work session.
3) Deny the change to pricing and not sign. This will lead to searching for a new facility to meet this need.
Recommendation:
We recommend the Board of County Commissioners authorize the Commissioner Chair to sign the contract with Pets
Emergency Hospital to continue service with this facility. Thank you.
Mike Freeman, Chair
Scan P. Conway
Julie, Cozad
Barbara Kirkmcyer
Steve Moreno
Approve
Recommendation Work Session
Schedule
Other/Comments:
2016-2894
August 30, 2016
To: Board of County Commissioners Chair, Mike Freeman
Regarding: Services performed under contract for the Weld County Sheriff's Office; Code
Enforcement / Animal Control Division; 1950 O Street, Greeley, CO 80631
Proposal for Veterinary Services for treatment of injured and/or sick stray animals found in Weld
County, Colorado.
This Service Agreement is provided as a guideline (to applicable agencies) to our treatment and
billing procedures concerning injured/ill stray animals. This will legally allow us to provide the
highest quality of care and compassion for these patients, while alleviating any confusion
regarding payment for medical services and care rendered by Pets Emergency Hospital (PEH)
(formerly Pet Emergency Treatment Service or "PETS" of Northern Colorado) for these cases.
PEH History: PEH was started in 2001 by area veterinarians to provide after-hours emergency
services for the Greeley and surrounding area communities. Prior to PEH, there was no
dedicated, fully -staffed emergency facility in the area and we continue to be the only facility
with such focus. PEH expanded to 24 -hour service in May 2010. We were honored by being
certified as one of only two veterinary hospitals in Colorado with the Veterinary Emergency and
Critical Care Society's (VECCS) hospital certification as a Level II facility in 2014. This
recognizes our capabilities; more specifically it recognizes our focused mission and training, our
staffing, our equipment and pharmaceuticals, and our interaction with area 'day' veterinary
clinics and community animal agencies.
Community Involvement: PEH supports the local community by hosting a low-cost spay/neuter
program which is made possible by our participation with and grant funding by the Colorado Pet
Overpopulation Fund. This funding is extended to people who have a household income of less
than $36k.
We also support the Lady Bug Fund, a non-profit program to help qualified animal owners with
the cost of emergency treatment and care.
Our staff are active members of the Weld County Veterinary Medical Association (WCVMA)
and two of our staff doctors have been WCVMA past -presidents.
We host and invite area veterinarians and animal agency personnel to our hospital for training
and continuing education events.
We have worked closely with the Weld County Health Department to forward the goals of the
CDPHE (Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment) (Community rabies free
vaccine clinics, area veterinarian education, etc.)
We have lectured at area first -responder training courses for animal first -aid and field aid of
service dogs.
With our sister hospital, Fort Collins Veterinary Emergency and Rehabilitation Hospital
(FCVERH), and the non-profit agency, The Street Dog Coalition,
(www.thestreetdogcoalition.org), we are helping to lead the development of a clinic in Greeley to
provide free veterinary care (exams, vaccinations, deworm, other minor treatments and
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preventive care) as well as follow-up vouchers for additional care if needed at area veterinary
clinics.
This past summer we hosted the "Veterinary Discovery Day" in coordination with the
Centennial Area Health Education Center (CAHEC) which helps provide education and hands-
on training to area high-school children looking to enter the profession.
PEH hours of operation are: 24/7/365
PEH facility and staffing: PEH is staffed by no less than one emergency veterinarian and one or
more veterinary nurses (technicians) at all times of operation. During busy times, we will have
two emergency veterinarians and multiple technicians; a client care representative is present
generally from 730am until 1am. We have established relationships with area specialists in
cardiology, radiology, anesthesia, sports medicine, surgery, and internal medicine. We currently
have two technicians who are certified in emergency medicine (Veterinary Technician
Specialists — Emergency and Critical Care or "VTS-ECC"), and multiple staff members with
additional training or certifications in endoscopy, dentistry, wildlife medicine, acupuncture, and
rehabilitation.
PEH is equipped with the latest in-house laboratory and diagnostic equipment to perform
comprehensive blood tests, x-rays, ultrasonography, endoscopy, and many other diagnostic tests.
PEH also stocks blood products and is treated as the area 'blood bank' by area veterinary clinics.
Our pharmacy holds emergency -specific medications typically not present in a day clinic (anti-
venin, 4MP (antidote for anti -freeze toxicity), and other similar medications.) A centrally
located Intensive Care Unit (ICU) allows all hospitalized animals to be continuously monitored
and cared -for. State-of-the-art anesthesia and monitoring equipment is used for cases that
require the use of the surgical suite. All medical records and billing systems are computerized
and integrated into PEH.
PEH hosts a highly competitive veterinarian internship annually and technician internships and
externships throughout the year. We have a developed volunteer program.
Services: PEH will provide 24/7 veterinary services for a flat fee of $135.00 per injured/ill stray
animal. This fee will include all medical, surgical and hospitalization services deemed necessary
and appropriate by the attending veterinarian. Additionally, PEH will provide phone consultation
at no charge. This fee is heavily discounted from the average fee per patient of $350.00 -
$650.00 and will allow injured or ill stray pets to receive humane medical or surgical care while
allowing PEH to recoup some of the costs involved in their treatment. This proposal is made in
the interest of community service and humane treatment/relief of suffering for the affected
animals. The decision to relieve the patient's suffering versus diagnostic testing, surgery, etc.
will be at the discretion of the emergency veterinarian. For cases in which finding the owner
seems more likely (the animal is micro chipped, had ID/rabies tags, etc.) this will obviously
factor into the decision to attempt treatment, although treating and/or relieving a patient's pain
and suffering will be given priority.
In cases where the patient's injuries/condition necessitates humane euthanasia, the flat rate fee
will still apply. This will include the examination fee, and treatment provided (i.e. pain relief,
attempted stabilization, etc.) and euthanasia. Aftercare in the form of burial or cremation will be
the responsibility of Weld County.
If the owner of the injured/ill stray animal is identified while the patient is under the care of
('EH, our staff will discuss the patient's condition and charges inctinri'd thus far with the client.
At this time.. the client will become liable for any further charges, If he owner pays for all
services rendered; PEI -1 will not charge the $135.00 flat fee to Weld t + + t , if the Owner
refuses to assume financial responsibility, the pet will be released to i.liem and the S135.00 fee
will still be billed to Weld County. If the owner of an injured/stray ;i. + from Weld County is
located after the pet is treated and discharged, Weld County will responsible for the
$135.00 charge.
Other: Billing statements will be sent to Weld County typically within 30 days after the patient
was seen at PEH (pending previous billing cycic./payments). Billing :,i,acments will include date
of treatment, description of animal, diagnosis if possible and an item!, summary of treatment
administered.
1''EH staff and owners must be released from any liability associated ith caring for (including
humane euthanasia as indicated) these animals as provided for in the state of Colorado Statutes
("Good Samaritan Act").
Signed and agreed to this/'ktli day of
Weld County:
Mike Freeman, BoCC Chair
ATTEST:
Weld Co
SEP 14 2016
da/L4) adio;ok
C; erk to the Board
BY:
Deputy Clerk to t
1PPRQVED AS `I r
Controller
APPITI) AS O FORM
1
County Attorney
,2016.
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Emergency I Hospital, LLC
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