Animal Shelter Advisory Committee Minutes - 02/15/2007I
PLACE:
TIME
DATE
� � r
MINUTES OF THE MEETING FOR
THE ANIMAL SHELTER ADVISORY COMMITTEE (ASAC)
OF
FEBRUARY 15, 2007
Wichita Falls- Wichita County Public Health District, Parker Conference Room,
1700 Third Street, Wichita Falls, Texas, 76301.
12:15 p.m.
Thursday, February 15, 2007.
COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT: Marty Maxwell, Animal Welfare Organization
Representative; Penny Miller, Citizen -At- Large, and Susan Morris, R.S., Chairman/
LRCA/Zoonosis Administrator.
COMMITTEE MEMBERS
ABSENT: Julie Gibson, DVM; and Debbie Mills, Animal Shelter Operator.
HEALTH DISTRICT
REPRESENTATIVES: Susan Morris, R.S., Chairman /LRCA/Zoonosis Administrator, and Diane
Syrus, recording secretary, both from the Zoonosis /OSSF Division.
WICHITA FALLS -CITY
COUNCIL: Linda Ammons, Councilor.
MINUTES:
RECEIVED IN
CITY CLERK'S OFFICE
Date
Time 61
Call to order: Susan Morris, R.S., Chairman presided. Julie Gibson, DVM, called
earlier this week stating that she would not be able to attend due to a previous
appointment. Susan Morris did contact Debbie Mills at the beginning of the meeting;
Debbie stated that she had forgotten about the meeting.
II. Approval of Minutes: The minutes from the ASAC Meeting on January 18, 2007,
were distributed and reviewed. Ms. Miller made the motion to accept these minutes,
with a second by Mrs. Maxwell. Motion carried.
III. Old Business: None.
IV. New Business: Susan Morris announced to members that this would be Mrs.
Ammons' last meeting due to her councilor limitations. Mrs. Morris thanked
Mrs. Ammons for her attendance, and always being an ASAC public advocate.
Mrs. Morris led the possible Feral Cat Ordinance discussion. She had researched
other "muni" -codes throughout Texas and reported that Lubbock had the most
current and organized ordinance. Susan stated that if members favored this idea;
she could present it to the next Board of Health, but she was not sure it would go
much further. Susan said that good comments have been received after their
television airing but no one locally has been willing to come forward to lead this
program, and only one Denton group has contacted her with interest. Mrs. Morris
said that we could hold the program until needed. Susan distributed her research
pages entitled Justification, and Feral Cat Management. Topics discussed were;
available shelter and food sources, and current procedures for trapping and
euthanizing. Susan said that current trapping and euthanizing is not efficient, and
cats left behind keep reproducing. The Feral Cat Management proposal addresses
concerns of citizens while building community relations and the advantages which
are no more kittens, less noise and odor, as well as, less rabies which is Susan's
most important concern as the L.R.C.A. for Wichita County.
Susan stated that usually there is a public caretaker or organized group of volunteers
to take responsibility for these feral cat programs; the animals, any damage, and
prevention of forming new colonies. There would be many advantages for the public,
neighbors, and animal control. Susan stated that she did not see much negative
comments; but she did NOT have a volunteer or group willing to lead this program.
Mrs. Morris asked members if this was what they were expecting to see in a
proposed ordinance? Penny Miller asked if Mrs. Morris had called Lubbock to see
how successful their program was? Susan stated that this ordinance is very new in
Lubbock and that she had only talked to volunteers, read internet comments, and
talked to T.A.C.A. (Texas Animal Control Association) Members who had not said
anything negative. Mrs. Morris said that if we had local people who were committed
with the funds to do it, it would be a good program, and it would work. Members
discussed average cat size of colonies and the possible expense.
Today, Mrs. Morris received by mail from the Texas Department of State Health
Services Grant Information to spay and neuter owned animals. Members agreed
that there is plenty of work to be done spaying and neutering. Mrs. Morris stated that
nonprofit applicants can only apply, i.e., animal shelters, and maybe the humane
society could utilize this grant. Susan Morris asked ASAC Members if they wanted
her to present the program to the next Board of Health Meeting on February 23rd?
Penny Miller made the motion to present this feral cat program to the Board of Health
as a recommendation for their approval, with a second by Marty Maxwell. Motion
carried. Susan Morris asked for any further discussion. There was no further
discussion. None opposed. Susan stated that the Board of Health Meetings are
open to the public and that Susan is on the next agenda. Penny Miller stated that
she would probably attend the next Board of Health Meeting.
V. Next Meeting Date: Members decided to meet again on Thursday, May 17, 2007, at
12:15 p.m., in the Parker Conference Room, at the Wichita Falls- Wichita County
Public Health District.
VI. Adjournment: Mrs. Morris asked for the meeting to be adjourned. The meeting was
adjourned at 12:58 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Susan B. Morris, R.S., Chairman
Zoonosis Administrator /L.R.C.A.
Diane Sy us
Zoonosis & OSSF, Sr. Admin. Clerk