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HomeMy WebLinkAboutASAB Meeting Summary 01.21.26 Meeting Minutes Approved ANIMAL SERVICES ADVISORY BOARD (ASAB) 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Wednesday,January 21,2026 Community Room at OCAS 1601 Eubanks Rd, Chapel Hill,NC 27516 MEMBERS PRESENT: Allan Polak(Chair), Debby Hill(Vice Chair), Cathy Munnier, Annie Goldberg, Dawn Roberts, Mike Dempsey, Dr. Lee Pickett, Judy Miller, Mike Delafield, Mary Lucas Members ABSENT: Kim Rider, Dr. Ashley Robertson and Rhonda Patterson STAFF PRESENT: Elizabeth Overcash(Director) and Adriana Phimasone(Animal Care Supervisor) PUBLIC PRESENT: Ellen Pearsall, Dr. Ann Brady, Dr. Elliot Cramer, Keith Sipe and Bob Moratto Call to order: 6:34 PM Everyone in the room did introductions and shared why they are on the Animal Services Advisory Board. Review and adoption of the meeting agenda: Moving Dr. Elliot Cramer's Proclamation to the first item for New Business on the agenda. Member Vote Cathy Munnier Aye Annie Goldberg Aye Dawn Roberts Aye Mike Dempsey Aye Dr. Lee Pickett Second Judy Miller Aye Mike Delafield Aye Allan Polak Motion Debby Hill Aye Mary Lucas Aye 1 Review and approval of 11/25 ASAB meeting summary: Member Vote Cathy Munnier Second Annie Goldberg Aye Dawn Roberts Aye Mike Dempsey Aye Dr. Lee Pickett Aye Judy Miller Aye Mike Delafield Aye Allan Polak Motion Debby Hill Aye Mary Lucas Aye Public participation guidelines: Limit of 3 minutes at today's meeting. Can submit more information by email for inclusion as an agenda item for discussion at a future meeting. General Public Comments (not on agenda): None New Business: 1. Proclamation Honoring Elliot Cramer,Friends of Orange County Animal Shelter-Dr. Pickett presented Dr. Cramer with a proclamation. Dr. Cramer shared he is going to be continuing the award and also creating a new award for volunteer of the year. 2. Presentation of Pat Sanford Award-Longleaf Animal Rescue-Mary Lucas accepted the award on behalf of the rescue 3. Discussion of Complaint Received-Allan shared that the person who complained has not responded to further outreach. Elizabeth shared there is no one on file with that name. Elizabeth addressed the letter's concerns with the board at length. a. Dog Day Out program was discussed-Elizabeth shared most shelters have this program and any dogs on the floor are safe to leave the shelter in this program. They would never put a dog on the floor that wasn't safe to leave the shelter. They try to match volunteers with correct dogs for this program. Question came up about the legal challenges - everyone signs a waiver. 2 b. Euthanasia discussion and protocol was discussed. Cathy asked if a behaviorist was involved in decisions, and Elizabeth shared it was a leadership team from the shelter involved. C. The board will report back to the commissions that: i. We investigated the issues that were brought-we have no further concerns after discussion with Elizabeth. ii. Animal Services advised us that there is no one by the name that was provided as a volunteer in the system. iii. This person also never responded to multiple attempts to invite them to the meeting. d. Motion to: Send email with the points above: Member Vote Cathy Munnier Second Annie Goldberg Aye Dawn Roberts Aye Mike Dempsey Aye Dr. Lee Pickett Aye Judy Miller Aye Mike Delafield Aye Allan Polak Motion Debby Hill Aye Mary Lucas Aye 4. Spay Neuter Day Proclamation -Last Tuesday in February is World Spay Day and the Board moves to support Animal Services in making that Spay and Neuter Day for Orange Co. Elizabeth will present 2/17 to the Board of Commissioners and present this proclamation. Member Vote Cathy Munnier Aye 3 Annie GoldbergAye Dawn Roberts Aye Mike Dempsey Aye Dr. Lee Pickett Aye Judy Miller Aye Mike Delafield Aye Allan Polak Motion Debby Hill Second Mary Lucas Aye 5. Youth Delegate Committee Discussion -this has been presented and sitting since 2024 due to being caught in legal review. Elizabeth said going without changing bylaws always moves quicker. Dr. Pickett shared that youth really like these opportunities. Allan shared that two other advisory boards have these positions. Debby will reach out to their chairs to see how they were able to have this position. Animal Services Advisory Board: No current vacancies, but there are two people in the wing to join. Dr. Pickett shared her position ends in June and Dr. Brady(in attendance) is willing to apply for her position as vet on the board. Dr. Brady shared her schedule is flexible and would allow joining. She would like to join the board to become more active in the community and advocate on the government side. Motion to approve the nomination for Dr. Brady to the Animal Services Advisory Board for June: Member Vote Cathy Munnier Aye Annie Goldberg Aye Dawn Roberts Aye Mike Dempsey Aye Dr. Lee Pickett Motion Judy Miller Second Mike Delafield Aye 4 Allan Polak Aye Debby Hill Aye Mary Lucas Aye Old Business: 1. Follow-up discussion on 2026 goals a. Allan suggested that if there are no burning goals, to push to the next meeting. b. Dr. Brady shared that radiology is something that interests her in helping the shelter. Asked if there are ways shelters can share. Elizabeth shared that Burlington charges more than the local vet. Informational Items: 1. Information session from Adriana Phimasone,Animal Care Supervisor a. Her staff helps with all animal care items. b. Oversees some volunteers as well. c. Hosts Dog 102 classes. d. Point of contact/onboarding for vet interns from NC State e. Helps wherever they are short at the shelter. f. "Nucleus of the shelter" g. Elizabeth shared that Adriana knows the animals in the shelter better than anyone. Ellen also shared that she is so valuable to volunteers. h. Dawn asked what we could do to help her and her team. She said she is down two staff members. Communicating resources is very helpful - asked for us to share any classes. Informal Discussion 1. Cathy asked to add to the next agenda- dog training classes. Meeting adjourned at 8:02 PM. Adjournment vote: Member Vote Cathy Munnier Aye Annie Goldberg Aye Dawn Roberts Aye 5 Mike Dempsey Aye Dr. Lee Pickett Aye Judy Miller Aye Mike Delafield Aye Allan Polak Motion Debby Hill Second Mary Lucas Aye 6 ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS SPAY NEUTER DAY PROCLAMATION WHEREAS, cats and dogs provide companionship to and share the homes of thousands of individuals in Orange County; and WHEREAS, an increasing lack of access to veterinary care affects millions of pet owners in the United States and thousands of pet owners in Orange County; and WHEREAS, the problem of pet overpopulation costs the taxpayers of Orange County hundreds of thousands of dollars annually through animal control and sheltering programs aimed at managing unwanted and homeless cats and dogs; and WHEREAS, humane societies and shelters throughout the country euthanize hundreds of thousands of cats and dogs each year, many of which are healthy and adoptable, due to the lack of critical resources such as money, space, and adoptive homes; and WHEREAS, Animal Services and the Animal Services Advisory Board have made correcting pet overpopulation and providing access to care a priority; and WHEREAS, spaying and neutering cats and dog has been shown to drastically reduce pet overpopulation; and WHEREAS, Animal Services is working with community partners and veterinary professionals to offer no-cost spay and neuter resources to households who are financially vulnerable or who receive public assistance; and WHEREAS, Animal Services now has a community animal clinic providing low-cost or no-cost spay and neuter services for pets in our community; and WHEREAS, Animal Services is collaborating with Independent Animal Rescue and other community partners to proactively and humanely manage and improve quality of life for community cats through sterilization and vaccination; and WHEREAS, veterinarians, animal care and control organizations, national and local animal welfare organizations, and private individuals have joined together again this year to advocate and support the spaying and neutering of companion animals on "World Spay Day 2026;" NOW, THEREFORE, we, the Orange County Board of Commissioners, proclaim February 24, 2026, as "Spay Neuter Day" and call upon the people of the County to observe the day by having their own cats or dogs spayed or neutered or by sponsoring the spaying or neutering of another person's cat or dog. THIS THE 17th DAY OF FEBRUARY, 2026. Jean Hamilton, Chair Orange County Board of Commissioners Proclamation Honoring Dr. Elliot M. Cramer For Establishing and Funding the Pat Sanford Animal Welfare Grant WHEREAS, the Orange County Animal Services Advisory Board recognizes outstanding contributions to the welfare and protection of animals in our community; and WHEREAS, Dr. Elliot M. Cramer, President of the Friends of the Orange County Animal Shelter, demonstrated exceptional commitment to animal welfare through the establishment of the Pat Sanford Grant; and WHEREAS, this grant was created to honor Ms. Pat Sanford, who served with distinction as the Executive Director of the Animal Protection Society of Orange County for 17 years, until her retirement in 2002; and WHEREAS, Ms. Sanford's leadership and dedication significantly advanced the cause of animal protection in Orange County, leaving a legacy of compassion and community engagement; and WHEREAS, Dr. Cramer not only created the Pat Sanford Grant in her honor but also generously funded it from 2016 through 2025, ensuring continued support for local efforts in animal welfare; and WHEREAS, the Pat Sanford Grant has empowered individuals and organizations to carry forward the values and vision of both Ms. Sanford and Dr. Cramer; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT PROCLAIMED that the Orange County Animal Services Advisory Board extends its deepest gratitude and heartfelt appreciation to Dr. Elliot M. Cramer for his enduring generosity, his vision for a more humane community, and his unwavering support of animal welfare in Orange County. Proclaimed this 15th day of October, 2025.