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Animal Shelter Advisory Committee Minutes - 11/18/2011MINUTES THE ANIMAL SHELTER ADVISORY COMMITTEE (ASAC) November 18, 2011 MEMBERS PRESENT: Julie Gibson, DVM Penny Miller, Citizen -At -Large Katrena Mitchell, Chair /Animal Services Administrator Stephen Dodge, LRCA/Animal Control Supervisor Steven Parady, Recording Secretary I. CALL TO ORDER Katrena Mitchell, Animal Services Administrator called the meeting to order. ❑ Member ❑ Citizen /Member E Staff ❑ Staff ❑ Staff REVIEW & APPROVAL OF DECEMBER MINUTES The minutes from the ASAC Meeting on September 9, 2011 were distributed and reviewed. Mrs. Miller made the motion to accept these minutes with a second by Mr. Dodge. Motion was carried. OLD BUSINESS Dr. Gibson inquired if there had been an update on Mrs. Miller and the feral cat colony. Mrs. Miller advised that she hadn't heard anything else. Ms. Mitchell advised that the people in question at that address did get down to the acceptable number of cats. NEW BUSINESS Ms. Mitchell advised the committee that Mrs. Franklin would like the committee to discuss spay and neuter ordinance. Ms Mitchell handed out a preliminary copy of the new ordinance that she and Mrs. Franklin had been working on. This is for permits to keep intact cats and dogs. Ms. Mitchell asked the committee their thoughts on whether it should be mandatory to have every animal spayed and neuter or just those being reclaimed at the Animal Services Center. Mrs. Miller advised that she believes that no one should have an animal that hasn't been spayed or neutered. She then asked if currently the fees for the city license are different if the animal is spayed or neutered from those which haven't been. Ms. Mitchell advised that the price for a city license if the animal is spayed or neutered for 1 year is $12.00 and $22.00 if the animal is intact. Ms. Mitchell advised the committee that Channel 3 news did a really great story on the city license and it has increased the public's awareness and purchasing of the city license. Mrs. Miller asked about renewing the city license. Ms. Mitchell advised the city license runs concurrent with the rabies vaccination and we also mail out a renewal letter one month before the license expires. Ms, Mitchell informed the committee that she was looking at other cities and their spay and it was her understanding that the law in Lawton hasn't decreased their numbers. She also informed the committee that San Antonio has an advertising permit and ti committee if you advertise in the newspaper the permit number has to appear in that ad. Mrs. Miller advised that she didn't see anything in the spay and neuter ordinance that gave consequences if you didn't follow the ordinance. Mr. Dodge advised that it would fall under Animal Control and he believes that it would be a citation. Dr. Gibson advised that she believes a cut off date of six months for spay and neuter is too soon. Mrs. Miller stated that they start breeding at that age especially cats. Dr. Gibson stated that she was thinking more about the people that do take care of their animals and get their series of vaccines then anytime after six months get the animal spayed or neutered. Ms. Mitchell advised that the responsible owners are going to get their animals spayed and neutered anyway we're looking at the whole other citizenship. Mrs. Miller stated that she is perfectly happy with the intact permit. Dr. Gibson asked who ultimately makes the decision that the ordinance goes into effect. Ms. Mitchell replied that Mrs. Franklin and she will gather more information and give it to Mrs. Howcroft then the ASAC committee will get more input. It will then go to the Board of Health then it goes in front of the City Council. Ms. Mitchell advised the there needs to be a way to get the animal spayed or neutered. Dr. Gibson replied that they are working out a voucher system with the Humane Society and maybe Animal Services Center can do something similar to that. Dr. Gibson asked if there were any problems with the new building. Ms. Mitchell replied that we just had the final walk through with the architect and the contractor and just the little things that wear and tear on the building the first year. Dr. Gibson asked what day the Animal Services Center euthanizes. Ms. Mitchell informed that they euthanize on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Dr. Gibson asked who performed the euthanization. Ms. Mitchell replied all the Animal Control Officers, Stephen Dodge, Nancy Springer, the Animal Care Coordinator and one of the kennel staff are certified and everybody takes turns. Ms. Mitchell advised the committee that the Humane Society was going through some management changes due to Cheryl Miller leaving so the Humane Society hadn't been out to pick up animals as much as they use to. Ms. Mitchell advised that Animal Services has had a lot of owner surrendered animals. Dr. Gibson asked if most of the surrendered animals came from the military. Ms. Mitchell advised a few have but most were from families that were struggling financially. V. ADJOURN Ms. Mitchell advised that the next ASAC meeting is set for Friday February 10, 2012 at 12:00 p.m. Penny Miller made the motion to adjourn. Mr. Dodge seconded the motion to adjourn. Motion carried all were in favor. Katrena Mitchell ASAC Chair Animal Seruicers-Administrator ' Sleven- Parady ASAC Recording Secre ary Animal Services Sr. Admin Clerk a► a ate ,-� zj 2 Date five