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HomeMy WebLinkAboutASAB minutes 011911Summary of Animal Services Advisory Board (ASAB) Meeting January 19, 2011 Prepared by Aviva Scully, ASAB Member representing the town of Chapel Hill Present: Sue Millager, Jean Austin, Dan Textoris, Laurie Lumpkin, and Suzanne Roy Absent: Kristine Bergstrand, Susan Elmore, Andy Uhl Staff: Bob Marotto Agenda adopted and summary of November meeting approved. There were no public comments. We voted to go out of order on the agenda and hear from Ms. Robin Cutson, first. New Business Community Concerns Robin Cutson presented her concerns about the conditions of cats housed at the shelter and her recommendations for improving these conditions. She stated that she felt that adoption rates would improve and euthanasia rates would decrease if her recommendations were put into place. Ms. Cutson stated that: • The cages for cats are too small • There is not enough enrichment for cats • There is a need for more volunteers • The hours for adoption need to be changed Ms. Cutson suggested that the Animal Shelter add plastic furniture and cardboard cat scratch boards for the cats. Ms. Cutson also sent her recommendations to the BOCC and to the County Manager. We will hear back from them. Old Business The ASAB Document for the BOCC 2011 Planning Retreat was already approved. If still possible, the Board would like to add a piece about the final stages of implementation of the Tethering Law to the final document as part of the ASAB’s major accomplishments Partner Profile • Presentation by Jennifer Albright, MPH of Independent Animal Rescue (IAR) is rescheduled to ASAB’s March meeting • Bob Marotto suggested inviting Eyes, Ear, Nose & Paws – an organization that trains service dogs, to our May meeting Remaining ASAB Vacancies and Appointments – we need to determine how we will proceed to fill the vacant positions. We have interviewed some of the applicants at the last two meetings. There is no deadline for new applicants. New Member Orientation • Went very well • Bob Moratto is open to feedback in ways to improve the orientation • He stated that Jean’s presence at the New Member Orientation was invaluable Staff Reports – In the past more staff members attended ASAB meetings. We have also changed the meeting format from once a month to bi-monthly. • Dan Textoris suggested that another Staff member rotate in to the ASAB meeting or, alternately, Bob Marotto could come and report on a particular item • Have an Animal Control Officer meet with us once a year • Have a Veteran Volunteer meet with us • ASAB members would like more information on spay/neuter • Encourage ways to have spay/neuter outreach through Animal Control officers • Include spay/neuter information with Pet of the Week Bob Marotto said that he would include more Staff and Volunteers at our meetings. Grooming Tub • Between $2,800 and $2,900 was raised through the sale of the Calendar and Raffle • The cost of the Tub is somewhere between $2,800 and $4,000 • A bequest between $13,000 and $14,000 was received that will fund the rest of the project Optimizing Chameleon Software Project • Haven’t used it to its full capacity yet • Web based licensing for renewals will be implemented soon • Quick kennel is being used/scans bar codes to keep track of animals • Address check codes addresses for townships and municipalities and helps with licensing fees • Activity & Dispatch is making strides in using the software o Separates types of calls o Helps w/resource allocation • Animal Control Officers are being rotated through taking calls and dispatch using the software Placement Partner Update There is concern about our Partner Placement Agreements with Rescue organizations in terms of insurance. • Rethinking the issue of Partner Liability Insurance • Animal Services will do comparables with other County Shelters o Is there another way that the County can structure liability insurance for Rescue organizations? • We will put the Risk/Benefit Analysis before the BOCC so that they can weigh it in their decision Bob Marotto would like the authorization from the BOCC. We will revisit this topic in July – the end of the fiscal year. Statistical and Program Reports • Not many cats get recovered which is reflected in the euthanasia rate of 34.28% o Promoting micro-chipping o Wearing collars with rabies tags o Calling the Shelter There has been a decrease in litters since 2007 and the numbers of surrenders is way down. The Tethering Ordinance has not increased surrenders. Projects and Activities • Adjusted the schedule on the Community Spay/Neuter Day • Go to the BOCC to declare Spay/Neuter Day officially o Do presentation to BOCC – include statistics • Advertise Spay/Neuter in newspapers/radio stations o “Pet of the Week”, WCHL, Chapel Hill Herald, The Independent o There’s money in the Fund for advertising Final Tethering Report • In process and will be distributed soon Community Concerns Interregional Animal Transfers • Might we transport animals to northern communities through Pet Smart Charities? o Create a new link through North Carolina o Extend our Partner Placement arrangements to include interregional transfers? o Send our canines to shelters with decreased canine populations Some of the logistic difficulties include: • Lengthy quarantine before transferring an animal • Clearing dogs for parvo – 10-14 day incubation period We will ask Lori Lumpkin to review and summarize the process.. Agricultural Preservation Board Two Board members (Bob and Suzanne) and two Staff members met with them. They requested that the Animal Control ordinance Nuisance provision be reviewed as it applies to farm animals and if it interferes with agriculture. The meeting was positive and it will help with increased coordination with Animal Control as it relates to disaster planning and Emergency rescue and updating sites with farm animals. Inquiry About Keeping Silver Foxes An Orange County resident would like to keep Russian silver foxes. They are being kept as pets in other parts of the world. A concern is whether there is a certified rabies vaccine for Silver Foxes. Bob will manage this issue with expert advice. Information Items All ASAB members were sent Monthly reports from November and December 2010, the Placement Plan for January 2011 and the ASAB 2011 Meeting Calendar. Jean shared that Bonnie Norwood, a former Board member, had passed away. She would like to honor her. Kris suggested that we make a donation, in her name, to the FOCUS or the Spay/Neuter Fund. Meeting adjourned at 8:30pm. Next ASAB Meeting: Wednesday, March 16th, 2011 – 6:30 pm -8:30 pm in the Multipurpose Conference Room of the Animal Services Center, 1601 Eubanks Road, Chapel Hill.