HomeMy WebLinkAboutUnapproved 10 21 2015 ASAB meeting summary1
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, October 21, 2015
Meeting Summary
MEMBERS PRESENT: Michelle Walker (Chair), Judy Miller, Caroline Green, Beth Grooms, Warren Porter
(Vice-Chair), Susan Elmore, Michael Stewart, Dewana Anderson, Arthur Sprinczeles, Molly Mullins
MEMBERS ABSENT: Maureane Hoffman, Aviva Scully
STAFF PRESENT: Bob Marotto (Animal Services Director)
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Agenda: One addition added, to discuss ASAB attendance requirements; with this addition, motion to
approve agenda passed and agenda unanimously approved
Summary of September 16, 2015 meeting: Reviewed and unanimously approved
General Public Comments on items not on the agenda: None
ASAB Affairs
(A) Attendance matters: there’s a spreadsheet that shows ASAB attendance statistics. The chair can
only excuse two absences per member in a 12-month period; removal from the Board occurs at four
absences within a 12-month period. The County Clerk reviews attendance statistics quarterly.
(B) 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.
(C) 2015 Progress Report and 2016 Work Plan: Michelle reviews the latest draft.
Old/New Business
(A) Animal Research Subcommittee
• Deanna Rowan expresses concern about allowing academic collaborations between universities
and the Orange County Animal Shelter. Susan gives an overview of the subcommittee’s Oct 7
meeting, listing both possible costs and benefits. The committee voted in favor of moving
forward to allow academic collaborations between universities and OCAS. There’s more
discussion among the board regarding the benefits of such a program, and the details of
possible protocol. Each board member expresses their thoughts. A motion is made to take a
vote on whether to move forward; four voted for, six voted against.
(B) Animal Services Update
• Due to the large number of kittens, OCAS has continuous adoption specials on them.
• Unified Animal Ordinance update: OCAS will prepare educational materials that can be
distributed when the Ordinance is rolled out.
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• Free-roaming cats initiative: OCAS had a meeting with IAR to continue to discussions, and there
will be another meeting with them in January. Topics included the outside-agency funding
process, to help support their funding for spay/neuter of free-roaming cats.
• Bob spoke with Annette about the Dangerous Dog Appeal hearing process, and a training
session should be scheduled for the appeal hearing committee.
• Bob raises the sad issue of homeless people in Orange County with pets, and how few options
they currently have in Orange County. Bob suggests that the board might investigate how OCAS
can help homeless people care for and maintain their pets. Caroline volunteers to do research
on the subject and report back to the board at the November meeting.
Ongoing and Upcoming Events
(A) Low-cost rabies and microchip clinics
(B) Spay Day is October 22, 2015
(C) October is Dog Adoption Month and there are cat adoption specials
Meeting adjourned at: 8:11 PM
Name of Minute Taker: Caroline Green