HomeMy WebLinkAboutASAB minutes 0816171
Orange County Animal Services
1601 Eubanks Road, Chapel Hill, NC 27516
919-942-PETS (7387)
ANIMAL SERVICES ADVISORY BOARD (ASAB)
6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Wednesday, August 16, 2017
Meeting Summary
MEMBERS PRESENT: Molly Mullin (Vice-Chair), Maureane Hoffman (Chair), Warren Porter, Heather Payne, Diane
Obeid, Edmund Tiryakian, Susan Elmore, Beth Grooms, Michelle Walker, and Victoria Hudson
MEMBERS ABSENT: DeWana Anderson and Judy Miller
STAFF PRESENT: Bob Marotto (Animal Services Director), Andi Morgan (Asst Animal Services Director), and Tenille
Fox (Communication Specialist)
GUESTS PRESENT: None
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Call to order: 6:35pm
Review and adoption of the Agenda: Beth Grooms made a motion to approve the agenda with the revisions;
seconded by Michelle Walker. The motion carried without dissent.
Summary of May 17, 2017 meeting: Susan Elmore made a motion to approve the Summary; seconded by Beth
Grooms. The motion carried without dissent.
General Public Comments on items not on the agenda: None.
Animal Services Advisory Board:
(A) New board member introductions of Heather Payne and Diane Obeid.
1. Orientation of New ASAB Members: Maureane Hoffman reported that the new board member
orientation went well.
(B) Animal Services Hearing Panel Pool Updates: Bob Marotto reported on the recent activities of the Hearing
Panel. There was discussion with the County Manager and County Attorney. The County Attorney wishes to
create a general orientation for conducting quasi-judicial hearings, with the Hearing Panel Pool chairs
(Tiryakian, Walker, and Grooms) working with the individual new members on standardized protocols to
apply the Unified Animal Ordinance in an appeal hearing. Vacancies to the pool will be filled the BOCC in the
September meeting.
Old Business:
(A) Pets of the Homeless Task Force: No updates
(B) Free Roaming Cat Spay & Neuter Initiative: Maureane Hoffman reviewed the suggestion was to pursue the
partnership with the Agricultural Preservation Board to offer sterilization of barn cats with grant funds. This
project will offer SNAP on certain days, or at certain locations. Volunteers from the IAR feral team will
assist. A summary proposal was presented to the APB. The response from the APB included a positive
reaction to the proposal with a request for trapping and transportation assistance. The goal is to have 30
cats for each SNAP day reserved, which will be offered to sites like the Ruritan Club, the Grange, OC
Cooperative Extension, etc.
2
New Business:
(A) 2017 Shelter Statistics through June: Andi Morgan presented a 6 month comparison: very similar to
previous 6 month report; “other” category continues to skew stats, such as confiscations and returns; there
is an increase in the intake of pregnant cats which leads to the larger number of kittens born on site; and
adoption rates fluctuate but are also offset by rescue numbers. The partnership with IAR is greatly
improved and mutually important for helping when the number of owner-surrendered cats increases.
(B) Animal Services Updates: Bob Marotto reviewed the shelter stats for July; staffing vacancies; recent hires;
the Petrie grant to broaden the financial eligibility criteria for residents to get more animals spayed and
neutered; a report that Beyond Fences will not be accepting any new clients in Orange Co; costs for animal
identification as part of the adoption package have been offset by a donation by the FOCAS; a report on an
emergency shelter preparedness exercise; a new generator pending; the restroom remodel completion;
pending sewer repairs; two positive tests of Panleukopenia resulting in a series of steps to isolate the
possible affected animals, minimize cross-contamination, and kill the virus; and upcoming events at Clear
the Shelters, Rabies and Microchip clinic, a Back to School Special, and a spay/ neuter event.
(C) Animal suspected neglect and abuse: Bob Marotto opened a discussion in reference to suspected neglect or
abuse that is observed when animals are owner-surrendered. Often these animals are surrendered
because they are sick or injured and the owners cannot pay for veterinary care. He described two
scenarios for responding to suspicions: (1) Surrendered is surrendered in which there is no response from
OCAS; or (2) Neglect is not acceptable, and there must be a response. Prosecution by the District Attorney,
or OCAS enforcement, are not really options unless to address conclusive animal mistreatment. Penalties
may include conditions that limit future ownership of any animal, penalties which are subject to due
process and to appeal. Administrative penalties, like fines, under the Ordinance are also possible.
OCAS strives to craft progressive programs and to build bridges in the community, especially parts of the
community that are generally underserved. Programs like a medical benevolence fund, vouchers, or grants
that could be awarded while the pet is still in the care of the owner could prevent some of these situations.
Edmund Tiryakian made a motion create a subcommittee to research options for addressing suspected
neglect and abuse during an owner-surrender through education, prevention, and resource utilization;
Diane Obeid seconded. The motion carried without dissent. Edmund Tiryakian and Diane Obeid
volunteered to start the subcommittee. Other volunteers will be solicited.
Information Items (made available):
(A) Monthly Sheltering Statistical Reports, July 2017
(B) Monthly Field Service Statistical Report, July 2017
Adjournment and next meeting:
Edmund Tiryakian made a motion to adjourn at 8:11; Molly Mullin seconded. Motion carried without dissent.
The next meeting is September 20, 2017 at 6:30 pm, Orange County Animal Services Center.
Minutes taken:
Victoria Hudson