HomeMy WebLinkAboutASAB Meeting Summary 8.17.22 Meeting Minutes Approved ANIMAL SERVICES ADVISORY BOARD (ASAB)
6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Wednesday,August 17, 2022
Orange County Animal Services
1601 Eubanks Road, Chapel Hill,NC 27516
MEMBERS PRESENT: Lee Pickett (Chair),Allan Polak(Vice Chair), Paula Greeno
(Secretary), Sunita Driehuys, Dawn Roberts, Brenda Scott, Mark Solomon, Lucia Welborne
Members ABSENT: None
STAFF PRESENT: Holly Pittman (Administrative Support), Sandra Strong(Director)
PUBLIC PRESENT: Judy Miller
Call to order: 6:30 PM
Review and adoption of the meeting agenda:
Vote (Motion/2nd)
Sunita Driehuys Aye
Paula Greeno Aye (Motion)
Lee Pickett Aye
Allan Polak Aye
Dawn Roberts Aye
Brenda Scott Aye (2nd)
Mark Solomon Aye
Lucia Welborne
Review and approval of June 2022 ASAB meeting summary: with minor corrections
Vote (Motion/211)
Sunita Driehuys Aye (2nd)
Paula Greeno Aye
Lee Pickett Aye
Allan Polak Aye (Motion)
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Dawn Roberts Aye
Brenda Scott Aye
Mark Solomon Aye
Lucia Welborne
New Business
OCAS Updates
o Dr. Strong provided a review of her first year as Director at OCAS
■ Reopened to the public post-pandemic.
■ Closed the night drop (inconsistent with current sheltering norms because sick
and injured animals were being left there).
■ Switched to managed intake for owner surrenders which includes providing
tools to the owner to rehome their pet. The spares the pet the stress of being
left at a shelter.
■ Dramatically expanded the feline foster program which reduced the in-shelter
population from—250 a year ago to—100 now.
■ Supporting community TNVR efforts with a PetCo grant for free spay/neuter.
■ The volunteer program has been revamped and modernized so volunteers do
initial training online and then progress to in-shelter training. This is much
more efficient for staff and potential volunteers and ensure that volunteers
understand the program before coming in for additional training.
■ Obtained approval and funding for a full time veterinarian. There has been
significant staff turnover and only remaining open positions are the
veterinarian and a vet assistant.
■ Expanded internship programs in animal husbandry and veterinary assistants
including establishing a paid internship program with NC A&T for a vet
assistant intern.
■ Initiated weekly leadership meetings to further team efforts in continuous
quality improvement, training, and providing a supportive working
environment.
o Upcoming events:
■ Aug 25th OCAS will be at Gateway with Social & Human Services for a Back
to School event. They will be providing animal education to the families.
■ Aug 27th is the national Clear the Shelter event which is the culmination of a
month of programs to encourage adoption. Adoption fees are waived at the
event on Aug 27th. Pre-pandemic this has been a huge event that succeeded in
finding homes for every adoptable dog at OCAS one year. OCAS will have
three surgery days this coming week to spay and neuter all animals that will
be available for adoption during the event.
Beagle Rescue/Virginia Breeding Facility
o There was a mass seizure of—5,000 research beagles from a breeding facility in
Virginia due to inhumane conditions.
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o Dr. Strong, Ashley Ray(Shelter Manager), and Dr. Pickett each volunteered during
the seizure examining and treating every beagle before they were transferred to the
HSUS facility in MD. The dogs eventually went to various shelters and rescues.
- New Member Orientation Packet
o The packet has been updated and was provided to all ASAB members electronically.
Public participation guidelines
General public comments on items not on agenda (3-minute limit): None
Monthly Meeting Attendance Record (confirm completion): Confirmed through approval of
meeting minutes
Animal Services Advisory Board
- Current vacancies on ASAB
o One each for towns of Carrboro & Chapel Hill
o At-large
o Animal welfare/animal advocacy
o Owner/manager of animal-related for-profit business
- Judy Miller application for animal welfare/animal advocacy slot
o The ASAB reviewed Judy Miller's application and she shared her experience with
animals. She discussed the reasons she is volunteering to serve on the ASAB again
and answered questions.
Vote on pending candidate (Judy Miller) for the animal welfare/animal advocacy vacancy
Vote (Motion/211)
Sunita Driehuys Aye (2na)
Paula Greeno Aye
Lee Pickett Aye
Allan Polak Aye
Dawn Roberts Aye
Brenda Scott Aye
Mark Solomon Aye (Motion)
Lucia Welborne Aye
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Old Business:
- Removing Dog Breed Labels
o Sandra Strong &Paula Greeno spoke regarding the June discussion. Dr. Strong is
supportive of removing dog breed labels from the dogs' profiles.
o Implementation of this is an operational process with many steps so no ASAB
subcommittee is needed.
Information Items: None
Informal Discussion:
- Flea market animal sales
o Citizens have posted complaints on public Facebook groups about the welfare of
animals being sold at flea markets.
o Discussion of offering a vaccine clinic with animal education at a flea market that
allows the sale of animals.
- Auxiliary organization to support OCAS
o Wake County has a very robust auxiliary group that supports their shelter. We should
consider encouraging the creation of a similar entity.
Adjournment:
Vote (Motion/2°d)
Sunita Driehuys Aye (Motion)
Paula Greeno Aye
Lee Pickett Aye
Allan Polak Aye
Dawn Roberts Aye
Brenda Scott Aye (2na)
Mark Solomon Aye
Lucia Welbome Aye
Meeting adjourned at 7:49 p.m.
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