In 2008, around 4,400 animals were taken in. In 2009, around 4,000 and in 2010, it was down to 3,598.

There are probably multiple factors affecting these numbers but Bob Marotto, Director of Orange County Animal Services, believes that the county's targeted spay/neuters efforts are having a great impact.

"We did 202 targeted spay/neuters in 2009 and 331 in 2010," Marotto, said.

The general principle of targeted spay/neuters is to get cats, dogs, and other animals sterilized that would not be otherwise.

The center strives to increase these targeted interventions via a three-way partnership between Animal Services, Orange County's Department of Social Services and the non-profit AnimalKind's low cost spay/neuter program, THE $20 FIX.

Marotto will discuss this positive trend and how the county plans to build on it as a panelist at an upcoming spay/neuter mini-conference in Asheville.

"What's Happening with Spay/Neuter in the Tar Heel State?" is scheduled for March 31 and is included with registration for Humane Alliance's "The SNIP! Summit," to be held March 31 through April 2.

The Humane Alliance, based in Asheville, works throughout the nation to offer mentoring, training and systems to set up high quality, high volume, low-cost spay/neuter clinics.

Locally, it mentored the founders of the Wake County SPCA's Saving Lives Spay/Neuter Animal Clinic.

"The Human Alliance is a great resource nationally and for North Carolina," said AnimalKind's Executive Director Beth Livingstone. "We are very appreciative to them and their conference sponsors for providing the opportunity for a North Carolina-focused session at this national spay/neuter conference."

Besides offering THE $20 FIX, AnimalKind runs SpayNC Helpline, a toll free hotline that North Carolinians can call for spay/neuter resources in their area (1-888-623-4936).

Having been helped tremendously in past years by attending national spay/neuter conferences, AnimalKind knows first-hand the potential benefit of getting North Carolina professionals together to share knowledge and make connections that will help accelerate an end to unnecessary shelter euthanasia in our state.

"While there are great variations in North Carolina's spay/neuter landscape, there are also many shared challenges," Livingstone said. "One is how to shift the paradigm from providing primarily reactive services to preventative ones."

In essence, put the money and effort into what will make the most difference.

Many areas in the state have no spay/neuter programs to assist low-income pet owners, and some of these same counties will not have the funds to send a representative to SNIP! Summit.

AnimalKind is encouraging residents and businesses to consider sponsoring conference attendance for their county's animal services director. For conference details see humanealliance.org/index.php/home/registration/special-events).

Panelist Lee Hunter, director of the Animal Welfare Section in the Department of Agriculture, oversees the NC Spay & Neuter Program ( www.ncspayneuter.com).

Part of what he will share with the audience is that North Carolina will now have a spay/neuter coordinator.

"What I want this person to do is go out and spend time talking to everyone in the field," said Hunter, who previously worked for the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services. "Next, this person should see what we could do to partner with others. No one can do it all.

"We need to see if there is a way to pull people together with a common goal. We can get a certain amount done if we can work together. We can see where to provide education or provide funds for education."

"When you look at 250,000 animals a year dying in shelters - and that is just reported cases - that is just unacceptable. I have seen the animals euthanized. It affects you. I want to reduce that number. But you can't euthanize your way out of pet overpopulation."

Hunter believes that if the people who know how to get things done join forces, there is greater hope for remarkable success.

He will bring the new coordinator to the Asheville conference.

"I want that person to be the face of spay/neuter for North Carolina," Hunter said.

Livingstone said it's important to set high but achievable goals.

"In North Carolina we tend to think of shelter euthanasia of adoptable animals as a necessary evil and it is not," Livingstone said. "There is no reason North Carolina cannot end the killing of adoptable animals just as other areas have done. Learning what has worked for others is a really good place to start."