HomeMy WebLinkAboutASAB minutes 1118151
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, November 18, 2015
Meeting Summary
MEMBERS PRESENT: Michelle Walker (Chair), Judy Miller, Caroline Green, Warren Porter (Vice-Chair),
Susan Elmore, Michael Stewart, Maureane Hoffman, Aviva Scully, Dewana Anderson
MEMBERS ABSENT: Arthur Sprinczeles, Molly Mullins, Beth Grooms
STAFF PRESENT: Bob Marotto (Animal Services Director)
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC PRESENT: Deanna Rowan
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Agenda: One modification added, to push the election of officers to the end of the agenda; with this
addition, motion to approve agenda passed and agenda unanimously approved
Summary of October 21, 2015 meeting: Deanna Rowan clarified her position on animal research from
the previous meeting and asked for a change to the October 2015 meeting summary. With this change,
unanimously approved
General Public Comments on items not on the agenda: None.
ASAB Affairs
(A) Review of the 2015 Progress Report and the 2016 Work Plan. Motion to accept is seconded and all
vote in favor.
(B) The proposed meeting schedule is circulated, a motion is made and seconded to approve it, and all
vote in favor.
(C) Officers for 2016: Warren Porter is nominated for Chair; Maureane Hoffman is nominated for Vice
Chair; Caroline Green is nominated for Secretary. Motion to accept slate is seconded, and all vote in
favor.
Old/New Business
(A) Animal Research Subcommittee
• Deanna Rowan clarifies her concerns and participation in this process. Mr. Marotto indicates
that staff will author a Standard Operating Guideline (SOG) on the matter to bring it to closure.
(B) Homeless Pets Initiative
• Caroline gives a summary of her conversations with Drew Brinkley of OCAS and Genevieve
Frederick, Founder of Pets of the Homeless
• Short-term: homeless pet owners are welcome to reach out to Genevieve’s group
• Mid-term: create a foster network to take in protective custody cases so that the animals don’t
have to come into the shelter
• Long-term: change the shelter’s policies of how to deal with owned animals, and urge homeless
shelters and housing options to accept pets.
2
• There’s discussion about what role ASAB can play in addressing this issue. The benefits and risks
of helping pets of people with potential mental illness. The need to involve human welfare
organizations in solving this problem is highlighted. Aviva and Judy have volunteered to do
more research into how other communities handle this issue.
(C) Animal Services Update
• October adoptions: 180 animals adopted in October, including 122 cats, and possible reasons for
this upsurge were discussed
• Unified Animal Ordinance: approved by Carrboro Board of Aldermen on Nov 10, and scheduled
as a decision item for the Dec 7 meeting of the BOCC
• Veterinary healthcare: we’ve begun treatment of heartworms for highly adoptable dogs, and
there are preventative measures in place for abscesses
• Conversion of cat enclosures to allow for portals between adjacent enclosures will take place
this winter, with funding from recent donations
Ongoing and Upcoming Events
(A) Adoption Specials for the holidays
(B) Annual Canned Pet Food Drive
(C) Holiday parades and pictures with Santa
Meeting adjourned at: 7:59 PM
Name of Minute Taker: Caroline Green