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Animal Shelter Advisory Committee Minutes - 02/21/2020 THE ANIMAL SHELTER ADVISORY COMMITTEE (ASAC) MINUTES February 21, 2020 Animal Services Center 1207 Hatton Road Wichita Falls, Texas COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT: Nicki Bacon Animal Shelter Administrator Amanda Pfeffer Local Rabies Control Authority Leslie Harrelson Public Citizen Marvin Peevey Animal Walfare Organization COMMITTEE MEMBERS ABSENCE: Bryan Wade, D.V.M Veterinarian Steve Jackson City Council Liaison OTHERS PRESENT: Lou Kreidler Director of Public Health Diann Bowman Animal Care and Adoption Supervisor Angela Bakken Animal Care Supervisor I. CALL TO ORDER Nicki Bacon, Chair, called the meeting to order. II. REVIEW &APPROVAL OF FEBRUARY MINUTES The minutes from the ASAC Meeting from August 30, 2019, were distributed and reviewed. Mrs. Harrelson made the motion to accept these minutes with a second by Mr. Peevey The motion was carried. III. OLD BUSINESS Mrs. Bacon advised the committee that they have been working on a RFP (Request for Proposal) for a veterinarian at the shelter. Mrs. Bacon said that she sent her first draft over for review to Mrs. Kreidler and Mrs. Fagan. Mrs. Kreidler stated that she has reviewed the draft and that Mrs. Fagan was in the process of currently reviewing the draft. Mrs. Bacon stated that the hope was to get a veterinarin on contract at the shelter. Mrs. Kreidler stated that the timing of that would be soon enough to get the proposal for a veterinarian into the budget because they know they would need to ask for an increase of those funds. Mrs. Kreidler also stated that they had placed a veterinarian in the current budget but it wasn't approved. Mrs. Kreidler advised that they ended the Wild bird Rescue contract and took those funds and some additional funds from their contract account which is the funds that they use to take a sick animal to veterinarian and combined those funds to come up with a little bit of money around $13,500. Mrs. Kreidler explained that if she could get a veterinarian on the budget then it becomes a current year item which then make it is easier to increase those funds than it would be to ask for something new. Mrs. Kreidler stated that Darron Leiker, City Manager, has given her permission to use those funds. Mrs. Harrelson asked Mrs. Kreidler if they were looking for a full-time veterinarian. Mrs. 1 THE ANIMAL SHELTER ADVISORY COMMITTEE (ASAC) MINUTES February 21, 2020 Kreidler replied that they were not looking for a full-time veterinarian but that they were looking for a veterinarian to contract with whom would charge a monthly fee to come in for a set number of hours or a per visit amount. Mrs. Kreidler continued by saying that she believes it will be one of the veterinarians from the community that would do it on their own time. Mrs. Kreidler stated that they have had a few veterinarians express interest in the position. Mrs. Harrelson replied that she thinks that it is a wonderful idea and hopes that the shelter gets a lot of interest. Mrs. Kreidler replied that she hoped so as well. IV. NEW BUSINESS Mrs. Bacon continued with this year the shelter's intention is to focus on their live outcome rate. They are brain storming ideas to help do that like doing more community outreach and expanding the volunteer program. Mrs. Bacon said that she restarted it when she got here and received six more volunteers which have dwindled so redelegated to Mr. Parady, Senior Administrative Clerk. Mrs. Harrelson asked what the object with the volunteers was. Mrs. Bacon replied that they would utilize the volunteers to help take more of the shelter animals outside, and have the volunteers work with Animal Care Supervisor and Adoption Counselor to help train the adoptable animals in the shelter. Hopefully by doing this, the interest in the adoptable animals will increase. This will help to not only get the adoptable animals out of their runs but will help increase adoptions. Mrs. Pfeffer replied this would also help with community outreach. Those volunteers would be beneficial because they will also be able to let the community know that the stigma that the citizens have about us euthanizing everything that comes into the shelter isn't true because they will see the daily operations and what takes place behind these walls. Mrs. Bacon also stated that the shelter would be focusing more on clearing the shelters. She went on to say that she knows in the past there was a big deal made about it but this year she would like to start early like they do with the Hotter than Hell 100. Mrs. Bacon continued by saying that they already started meetings to see what Animal Services could do to improve the event and to get the information out to community in hopes that they can clear the shelter and with any luck, that momentum carries on through out the rest of the year. Mrs. Harrelson informed the committee that she wrote a blog and noticed that Animal Services only had to euthanize under 1600 animals last year. She continued by saying that she did the math, and it was 860 dogs and 500 plus cats she couldn't recall the exact number. Mrs. Harrelson stated that it broke down to .03 percent of our population. She states that it was all we needed of our population to adopt rather than buying or leaving the city to adopt. Mrs. Harrelson stated that it would be great if we could tie this information together and show the community that the light at the end of the tunnel is so close. Mrs. Harrelson continued by saying we are 1500 people way from not having to kill animals in our city limits. Mrs. Harrelson also stated that we all needed to be transparent about where our animals are coming from and going to and how you can stay local and how to support those local organizations that are pulling from Animal Services. Mrs. Harrelson went on to say that the blog is just the first steps of many ideas that she has and that if she can help in any way, she will be happy too. She stated that Animal Services is so close. Mrs. Kreidler stated that the euthanization rate has dropped and that Mrs. Bacon is going to go over that information. Mrs. Kreidler stated that the euthanasia rate is dropping due in large part to the work our rescues are doing. Mrs. Kreidler commented that the rescues were rock stars. Mrs. Harrellson replied that it's the work that we are all doing together. She went on to say that the city needs to know that yes, we are still having to euthanize and I am not happy that we are still 2 THE ANIMAL SHELTER ADVISORY COMMITTEE (ASAC) MINUTES February 21, 2020 having to euthanize. We are having to euthanize 50% of 3,000 animals verses 90% of 10,000 let focus on how close we are and make the community understand what they can do at a local level to ensure our city will no longer have to euthanize. Mrs. Kreidler advised that Animal Services had two weeks that they didn't have to euthanize at all. Mrs. Harrellson replied why isn't that on Facebook? Mrs. Pfeffer stated that is was something that caught her and Mrs. Bacon off guard that Friday. She continued that they both had to just take a minute for the realization that this just happened. Mrs. Bacon stated that it started when she enacted that they are not euthanizing if they have kennels open. She continued to say that if there are five kennels open then they would need to decide that day. This also ensure that there are kennels open over the weekend. Mrs. Bacon stated that she also wanted to quit euthanizing just for time and space. There are more animals in the stray hold kennels which allows them to be seen and reclaimed or adopted. Mrs. Kreidler stated that when she spoke with Mrs. Bacon that week when no animals were euthanized that Mrs. Bacon stated that the animals in the stray holds are getting two and three looks which is getting them adopted and is helping to get them out of the shelter. Mrs. Kreidler replied that we are getting more animals out. Mrs. Harrelson replied that it's amazing and that this is a big deal. Mrs. Harrelson went on to say that Animal Services needs to stay ahead of it by letting the community know that April, May, June and July are the months where the intake is much greater, then maybe with more awareness there would be more adoptions. Mrs. Bacon stated that she would like to see the shelters numbers stay like this. Mrs. Kreidler replied that she believes that the ordinance has helped with making the difference and has been the leading push behind all of it. Mrs. Pfeffer stated that you can see the difference is the staffs' morale too. Mrs. Harrelson replied that it is a morale booster when you get a run like that. Mrs. Kreidler went on to say that when Mrs. Bacon sent her the annual numbers, they realized that when an owner came in to have an animal euthanized, those have getting included into our euthanasia rates. Those are now going to get taken out and recategorized because those numbers should not count against us. Mrs. Harrelson replied that she agrees that those animals should not count against Animal Services. Mrs. Kreidler went on to explain that those animals that are being euthanized at the owners' request is a service that we are providing to the community so those numbers should not be include into the euthanasia rate. Mr. Peevey replied that he agreed because Animal Services did not make that decision. Mrs. Kreidler stated those animals are normally old or sick. Mrs. Harrelson stated that she agreed because those owners probably could not afford a vet. Mrs. Bacon stated that her numbers for the year would change again. Mrs. Bacon said she had to do the shelter animals count so she had to go back through last year and change those for January, February, and March. The owner requests will be a new category that will be inserted. Mrs. Bacon stated that she was not sure if the community knew but Animal Services is given free microchips to anyone that reclaims their animal as an option. Mrs. Kreidler stated the City Manager Darron Leiker said that Animal Services could offer it for animals being reclaimed. Mrs. Kreidler went on to say that they could not make the citizens microchip their pet, but they could offer it to those being reclaimed for free. Mrs. Pfeffer stated that when she has been up front, and the citizens are being offered the free microchip and there hasn't been anyone to say no. She went on to say that the front is good to state why it is beneficial to getting the animal microchipped. Mrs. Kreidler ask Mrs. Bacon to give the committee the number of microchips that have been done. Mrs. Bacon stated the there have been 16 microchips given from around mid January to February 21, 2020 so about four to five weeks. Mrs. Harrelson asked why Animal Services was not on their social media bragging. She went on to say that the community has a bad taste from past events with Animal Services and you have been changing things around and the community needs to know that you are 3 THE ANIMAL SHELTER ADVISORY COMMITTEE (ASAC) MINUTES February 21, 2020 changing things around. Mrs. Kreidler replied that Mrs. Harrelson is right that we need to be posting those things to our social media page. Mrs. Harrelson said let me know and I'll toot your horn. I'll be glad to say look what Animal Services has done. Mrs. Kreidler replied that we do need to get better at that. Mrs. Bacon thanked Mrs. Harrelson for the idea. Mrs. Bacon moved on to the collaboration with Crime Stoppers. She continued that due to the new collaboration that Animal Services has received 11 tips. Mrs. Kreidler replied that some of the calls going to Crime Stoppers should have gone directly to Animal Control and not have been Crime Stoppers calls. Mrs. Harrelson replied that Crime Stoppers would send everything to Animal Control anyway even if it was supposed to originate with you or not. Mrs. Harrelson went on to say that they shouldn't take the call just apologize and tell the caller you will need to contact Animal Control directly. She stated that why would they want more calls when they are going to route everything to you anyway. Mrs. Bacon went on to state that at this year's health fair that Animal Services is going to be offering free microchips and they will not be requiring the first hundred this year to bring their rabies certification or city license paperwork with them. They will just need to bring their animal and we will microchip them. Mrs. Kreidler replied that will give us a way to have that conversation and talk with them about their rabies vaccinations and city license and we will be selling vouchers. Mrs. Harrelson asked if the vouchers cost will be reduced. Mrs. Bacon replied that she hadn't thought of that. Mrs. Bacon continued with the shelter numbers for 2019. There were 3580 animals brought into the shelter that includes all animals: wildlife, birds, snakes etc. Compared to 2018 which was 3494. The live outcome for 2019 is at 50% compared to 2018 when it was at 47% there is a 3% increase. Mrs. Bacon stated that may sound like a small number but that 3% is huge. Mrs. Kreidler stated why that number is so huge is when we opened the shelter were at around 75 to 76% euthanasia rate. Mrs. Bacon continued with the return to owner rate for 2019 was 17% compared to last year which was 19%. The adoption rate was 13% this year and in 2018 it was 15%. The number of animals that went to rescue in 2018 was 13% and in 2019 it was 20%. Mrs. Bacon continued with ordinance implementation. Since the implementation of the new owner surrender guidelines, we have taken in 54 animals but a lot of those have been due to multiple animals and litters taken in by one owner. There were sixty appointments that were made. 18 of those appointments were no shows, two appointments cancelled and 18 of those were euthanasia requests. The euthanasia requests were for health, age, or aggression. Mrs. Kreidler said that she knows that there were a couple of citizens that came in for appointments and were given resources and never brought their dogs back which is the reason for the appointments. Mrs. Harrelson replied this is another example of an instance that needed to be shared on social media: something along the lines of this dog got to stay with its owner because of the work that your team did. Mrs. Kreidler replied it was our team, our partners, and our community. Mrs. Bacon went on to inform the committee that Animal Services started their new low-income assistance program which offers free or reduced fees for those that need assistance reclaiming their animals.Animal Services has gotten a lot of great feed back from the citizens that needed the help. Mrs. Bacon went on to state these numbers are a rough estimate. Mrs. Bacon stated that she had pulled two citizens that received free reclaims and four citizens that had received reduced fees. All those citizens did take the responsible pet ownership class. We had three participants in January, so far one participant in February with five more taking the class tomorrow that were given free or reduced reclaim fees and three more are signed up in March. Mrs. Bacon went on to say that the participants are given a pre and post test in the responsible pet ownership class. There has been a 15% increase in 4 THE ANIMAL SHELTER ADVISORY COMMITTEE (ASAC) MINUTES February 21, 2020 their knowledge after taken the test in January, so they are learning from taking the course. Mrs. Bacon stated that she believes in the upcoming months that she'll have a really firm number of where they're at when it comes to how many people are getting the help they need and how many are getting their animals out now that we are offering assistance. Mrs. Kreidler went on to say that hopefully that will help with the reclaim numbers. In the past, most of the reasoning that animals were not being reclaimed were to financial barriers. Mrs. Kreidler went on to add that another thing that they were looking at reduced fees on the quarantine dogs. Mrs. Kreidler asked Mrs. Pfeffer to explain. Mrs. Pfeffer stated that if it was a minor bite on the first quarantine then we will look at offering free or reduced fees, but it will be situational. Mrs. Kreidler replied some of them are puppies. Mrs. Pfeffer went on to explain that there was a citizen that had a cat that was in quarantine due to a scratch, but she qualified for the reduced fee and was able to get her cat back. Her daughter reached out and was so thankful of the assistance that we offered to her mother. Mrs. Pfeffer stated the reason was because it was in quarantine due to a scratch that we could offer the reduction in fees. Mr. Peevey asked will the class be offered in Spanish. Mrs. Kreidler replied that Animal Services has an employee on staff that does speak Spanish so that is an option. Mrs. Harrelson stated that she knows that pictures can not be taken of the citizens taking the class but that there could be a picture taken of the person teaching the class and talk about the class with the information of how many animals have been helped. Mrs. Kreidler stated that we do a great job with promoting our adoptions and the pet of the week. We just need to move into other areas of awareness like we do in those areas. Mrs. Bacon replied that they will start posting more of the positive stuff. Mrs. Bacon continued with since the ordinance implementation of the mandatory spay and neuter. In December, we had a 79 % compliance. It broke down that nine of those were mandatory, seven were completed, one is still expected, and one was issued a citation due to unable to contact that citizen. Mrs. Bacon continued with January we are at 50% due to they have 30 days, 16 are mandatory, five have been completed, 1 is pregnant so we extended that, one is on a waiting list for their appointment, seven haven't complied but they're still within the window to have it done, one's been issued a citation, and one is scheduled to be completed. Mrs. Kreidler replied that it will not take long for the word to get out the citations are being issued for those that are not complying with getting their animals spayed and neutered when reclaimed. Mrs. Bacon continued with in February we have 12 mandatory spay and neuters. 9 of those are scheduled, 1 pending, and 2 of those have been completed. Mrs. Bacon went on to say that when it came to the mandatory microchipping compliance with permits that there have only been two citizen that have come into compliance. Mrs. Kreidler added that they also have to have their animals spayed and neutered now. Mrs. Bacon stated that was all she had for the updated on the ordinance implementation. Mrs. Harrelson replied that this is excellent news all around. Mrs. Kreidler replied that it is exciting. Mrs. Bacon said that we are making a difference. ADJOURN No date was set for the next meeting in May. Mrs. Harrelson made the motion to adjourn. Mr. Peevey seconded the motion to adjourn. The motion carried all were in favor. 5 THE ANIMAL SHELTER ADVISORY COMMITTEE (ASAC) MINUTES February 21, 2020 jA/t1 Nicki Bacon Date ASAC Chairman Ani ervices Ad nis rator 'Y -eZk-- 6-(7// 2-0 ( Steven Parady Date ASAC Recording Secretary Animal Services Sr.Admin Clerk 6