WASHINGTON — In recognition of its work to develop and market a humane approach to controlling bird populations, Innolytics is among the 2010 recipients of The Humane Society of the United States’ Corporate Progress Award.

The award recognizes companies that have made demonstrable progress in reducing animal suffering and advancing animal welfare in 2010.

“Innolytics has helped pave the way for animal welfare improvements in bird control,” stated Wayne Pacelle, president and CEO of The HSUS, who explained that the company’s OvoControl product humanely prevents eggs from hatching, thus allowing problem bird populations to be controlled without killing them. “Hundreds of thousands of birds are trapped, shot or poisoned every year,” Pacelle added. “This product and concepts like it will reduce animal suffering by moving toward humane population control.”

OvoControl G is registered by EPA for use in Canada geese and Muscovy ducks by licensed applicators. The product for pigeons, OvoControl P, currently requires no special permit or license to apply. According to Innolytics, birds fed bait with the active ingredient nicarbazin are prevented from producing viable eggs, thus controlling the population by preventing new births.

“Prior to the development of OvoControl, most problem bird populations were controlled by poisoning,” said Erick Wolf, CEO of Innolytics, which is based in Rancho Santa Fe, Calif. “Communities and businesses now have a humane and practical alternative to deal with conflicts with pigeons and other birds.”

The development of this product promises further opportunities for controlling problems with other bird species, the company says. Unlike poisons, which may kill wildlife indiscriminately, “non-target” birds are at little risk from eating OvoControl, Innolytics says, since the product needs to be eaten daily to prevent hatchable eggs. The company also says it has established systems that minimize exposure to other birds and animals.

OvoControl P can be applied by a wide range of users, including municipal workers and building maintenance personnel. The company provides training resources to help ensure label directions are followed as well as to promote wider use, better economics and greater effectiveness in bird control.

In April, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation awarded the company a $100,000 grant to investigate the use of nicarbazin as a contraceptive in mammals.