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Home My WebLink AboutUnapproved 01 21 2015 ASAB Meeting SummaryOrange 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, January 21, 2015 Meeting Summary MEMBERS PRESENT: Warren Porter (Vice Chair), Michelle Walker (Chair), Arthur Sprinczeles, Michael Stewart, Maureanne Hoffman, Aviva Scully, Susan Elmore, Caroline Green, Judy Miller, Dewana Anderson MEMBERS ABSENT: Beth Grooms KENAN FLAGLER BUSINESS SCHOOL FELLOWS: Adam Wright, Mike Haskins STAFF PRESENT: Bob Marotto, Sarah Fallin ____________________________________________________________________________ Agenda: Agenda was unanimously approved Summary of November 19, 2014 meeting: Reviewed and approved with the addition of Deana Rowan’s last name on page two. Review of public participation guidelines, Warren Porter, ASAB Vice-Chair – Three minute limit No one signed up for public comments on items not on the agenda (3 minute limit) ASAB Affairs ASAB officer elections – Officer Slate; Michelle Walker - Chair, Warren Porter – Vice Chair and Caroline Green – Secretary, were unanimously approved Animal Welfare/Advocate Position Vacancy - Nicole Roth’s resignation – Nicole Roth accepted a position as the deputy director of the Animal Legal Defense Fund and is moving to California. Applicants – The ASAB unanimously agreed to recommend Molly Mullin to the BOCC as the applicant for the Animal Welfare/Advocate Position Potentially dangerous dog hearings (2) – There were two cases and both were overturned because the definition was not met. In the first case, the gentleman was asked, “Do you think that the dog approached you in a vicious and terrifying manner?” and he said no. In the second case, it was overturned because no adults saw the incident and the child who said that the dog chased him back to the house was not present. Special Presentation about Pets for Life by Amanda Arrington, Pets for Life Director, Humane Society of the United States The Pets for Life program is a program for serving underserved communities – and a philosophy of non judgment and compassion for people as well as pets. In addition to the four communities in which HSUS does direct outreach they have developed a mentorship program. The mentored communities have received financial grants to do outreach. Research shows that although pet adoption has increased and pet euthanasia has decreased in the past forty years there is still a segment of the population that has barriers to accessing spay/neuter and vet services. In the US there are 23 million pets living in poverty and that number is continuing to grow. The Pets for Life program focuses on systemic poverty/generational poverty and a community assessment is done to identify areas of focus. It looks at demographic data and also identifies areas that have very few veterinary and pet food/care suppliers. The keys to success are consistent community presence and community engagement (knocking on doors) and a focus on relationship building.In the underserved communities the percentage of unaltered pets is very high – about 87% (which is the opposite of the national average). About 80% of these same folks’ pets have never seen a veterinarian. And, almost 90% of people in underserved areas have never reached out to their local animal control or shelter. Pets for Life Community Outreach Toolkit can be found at www.humanesociety.org/pfl-toolkit http://www.humanesociety.org/pflreport2014 Old Business Managing Free-Roaming Cats in Orange County, North Carolina • The Board reviewed a proposed policy document resulting from the work of the Free Roaming Cat Task Force. All ASAB members will read the document and submit any comments or suggestions to DeWana Anderson by close of business on January 26, 2015. Bob Marotto will make sure that it is sent out to all community partners mentioned in the report. Dewana and Warren will sign off on it. The document was unanimously approved with these qualifications. • Community member Deanna Rowan spoke and recommended the HSUS booklet, “Managing Community Cats” as background material. Unified Animal Ordinance Update • Bob Marotto met with the Chiefs of Police in Carrboro and Chapel Hill to continue the process of obtaining approval of the proposed unified ordinance from the municipalities within Orange County, which staff hopes to complete in the next fewmonths. New Business Animal Services Updates – Bob Marotto provided updates regarding upcoming staffing and budget considerations. He also updated the ASAB regarding recent research in the area of rabies vaccines related to anamnestic rabies response. In light of these new findings changes may be made in regards to how we treat animals exposed to rabies, based on current rabies vaccinations and boosters, allowing more flexibility in the ways that rabies cases are managed. 2015 Spay & Neuter Day Resolution – Sarah Fallin, Program Coordinator, asked that the ASAB approve the resolution and present it to BOCC on February 17th. Spay/Neuter Day Resolution was unanimously approved. Ongoing and Upcoming Events Beat the Heat Spay Neuter Campaign – January – March Tuesday, January 13th and Thursday, January 15th – volunteer orientations, Saturday, January 17th – volunteer training Tuesday, January 13th – WCHL – weekly adopt a pet – 8:45 am Saturday, January 24th – at OCAS Rabies Clinic; 9:00 am – 12:00 pm Tuesday, January 27th – WRAL – adopt a pet week – 1:00 pm Information Items ASAB Chair Communication with BOCC Chair and Vice Chair about ASAB Criticism Potentially Dangerous Dog FAQ Monthly Sheltering Statistical Reports: November 2014 and December 2014 Monthly Field Service Statistical Reports: November 2014 and December 2014 Informal discussion Adjourned at 8:45 pm Accompanying Documents 1. Summary for November 19, 2014 2. Current ASAB Applicants 3. Managing Free-Roaming Cats in Orange County, North Carolina (forthcoming) 4. 2015 Spay & Neuter Day Resolution (forthcoming) 5. ASAB Chair Communication with BOCC Chair and Vice Chair about ASAB Criticism 6. Potentially Dangerous Dog FAQ 7. November 2014 and December 2014, Monthly Sheltering Statistical Summaries (http://www.co.orange.nc.us/animalservices/monthlyreports2014.asp) (December summary forthcoming) 8. November 2014 and December 2014 Field Services Statistical Summaries (http://www.co.orange.nc.us/animalservices/fieldstatistics2014.asp) (December summary forthcoming)