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HomeMy WebLinkAboutASAB Proposed Meeting Summary 01152020Orange County Animal Services 1601 Eubanks Road, Chapel Hill, NC 27516 919-942-PETS (7387) ANIMAL SERVICES ADVISORY BOARD (ASAB) 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. Wednesday, January 15, 2020 Meeting Summary MEMBERS PRESENT: Amanda Schwoerke (Chair), Bryan Stuart (Vice Chair), Casey Ferrell (Secretary), Diane Obeid, Lee Pickett, Lucia Welborne, Molly Mullin, Maureane Hoffman ABSENT: Beth Grooms, Lisa Wells, Edmund Tiryakian STAFF PRESENT: Bob Marotto (Animal Services Director), Andi Morgan (Animal Services Assistant Director), Rachel Plast (AA) Call to order: 6:35 p.m. Review and adoption of the agenda: approved, with removal of New Business Item “Stats and Review,” and addition of 2020 Spay Day Summary of November 2019 meeting: approved, with amendments proposed by Lee Pickett to Evelyn Daniel spelling and updates to the CERT summary Review of public participation guidelines: not reviewed General public comments on items not on agenda: none Animal Services Advisory Board updates: Pat Sanford Award—Kimberly Steiner, Trestle Leaf Web Design Board and staff presented Kimberly Steiner with the Pat Sanford Award Animal Services Hearing Panel Pool Motion to nominate Edmund Tiryakian for a second term approved (unanimous) Outstanding Recommendation for the Animal Services Hearing Panel Pool Motion to nominate Casey Ferrell approved (unanimous) Board Vacancies  Two current vacancies: 1) veterinarian, 2) Town of Carrboro Three vacancies opening in July: 1) Animal trainer and 2) Animal welfare advocate (2) Sue Millager (Carrboro) Sunita (vet) Allan Polak (trainer) Jen Stout (welfare advocate) Brenda Scott (welfare advocate) Motion to approve Sue Millager for the Town of Carrboro board vacancy approved (unanimous) Motion to approve Sunita for the community veterinarian board vacancy pending her submission of a formal application approved (unanimous) Diversity Goal: a brief discussion of the goal of achieving greater board diversity; primarily around continued outreach by staff and board members to people of different backgrounds Old Business Evelyn Daniel Adoption Sponsorship Fund Bryan Stuart stated the need to settle on a single consistent name for the fund. Bob Marotto indicated that there was also a need for guidelines on the explicit purpose and allocation of the fund. A couple of examples of possible applications were discussed, including using the money for life-saving but sometimes cost-prohibitive surgeries and procedures. Casey Ferrell suggested the board consider naming it the Evelyn Daniel 11th Hour Fund and have the money go toward animals in dire need of life-saving treatments. Staff agreed to draft a formal name, mission statement and application criteria and bring to the board for approval at the February meeting. Wild and Dangerous Task Force Bryan Stuart said that between the holidays and other board responsibilities that had taken temporary priority, the task force’s work is still ongoing. He is planning to bring a status update to the February board meeting. Tick Borne Illnesses and Rabies Edmund Tiryakian not present to discuss Topic retired from Old Business unless otherwise suggested New Business Spay Day Motion to approve Spay & Neuter Day approved (unanimous) Animal Services Updates OCAS selected for Cat Positive (program for training shelter personnel to interact with cats in new and different ways using operant conditioning to improve quality of life) Two catios are now onsite Upcoming veterinary healthcare assessment Anticipating completion in time to include financial implications into 2021 budget request Budget prep underway Continuation budget could place more emphasis on revenue generation efforts Updates related to October animal seizure Gift of 7,500 lbs of dog food from Southern States (holiday donations) Cat Banjo made a donation GoFundMe campaign (prompted by MicroMass Communication in Raleigh): $10k in four days Original 57 animals turned into 76 thanks to several litters All dogs are now property of OCAS  Out of pocket costs to OCAS so far: ~$30-35k Because of donations and campaigns ($10k GoFUndMe, $11k individual pledge, $6k donated by Cat Banjo, etc.), OCAS will approach breakeven on cost Lucia volunteered to draft a letter of recognition from the OCASAB to the BOCC for efforts by OCAS, BOCC, County Manager, Sheriff, DA, etc.  Will share a draft of the letter at the February meeting On the verge of making the dogs available for adoption Media release to come Special website dedicated to information and support for adopters specifying special needs (medical, financial, legal, etc.) Will release in batches Secondary interview and other additional precautionary elements of adoption process and package to be in place Discussion topic introduced by Bob Marotto: Great Pyrenees being kept as protection animals/livestock guarding for small-scale farming operations; suspicion many are not kept in adequate housing; argument made by one farmer that housing creates problems (livestock go to shelter, Pyrenees guard the shelter, aggressive to livestock); in northern climates and native regions, Pyrenees live outside and thrive in cold weather Should there be an exception to the ordinance for certain working livestock guard dogs like Pyrenees   Motion to take it up as an agenda item approved (unanimously) Adjournment and next meeting: Meeting adjourned at 8:38 p.m. The next meeting is February 19, 2020, at 6:30 p.m. at the Orange County Animal Services Center.