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Animal Shelter Advisory Committee Minutes - 06/22/2010r_ MINUTES THE ANIMAL SHELTER ADVISORY COMMITTEE (ASAC) JUNE 22, 2010 MEMBERS PRESENT: Julie Gibson, DVM ■ Members Penny Miller, Citizen -At -Large ■ Susan Morris, Chairman /LRCA/Zoonosis Administrator ■ Lou Franklin, Director of Public Health ■ Staff Diane Syrus, recording secretary ■ Starr Jackie Byrd, Exec. Director - Wichita Co. Humane Society ■ Guest ABSENT: Marty Maxwell, Animal Welfare Organization Rep. ■ Member Michael Smith, Councilor - District 1 ■ Council Liaison 1. CALL TO ORDER Susan Morris, L.R.C.A., Chairman presided. Mrs. Morris introduced and welcomed Mrs. Jackie Byrd, new Executive Director of the Wichita County Humane Society. II. REVIEW & APPROVAL OF OCTOBER MINUTES The minutes from the ASAC Meeting on February 16, 2010, were distributed and reviewed. Mrs. Miller made the motion to accept these minutes, with a second by Dr. Gibson, DVM. Motion carried. III. OLD BUSINESS Mrs. Morris gave an update of the new Animal Services Center that has broken ground, and asked Mrs. Franklin for an update? Mrs. Franklin stated issues with the field /dirt brought in not being the proper plasticity level were resolved this morning. She said we have an expected move - in date of end of January, or the first of February, 2011. Mrs. Franklin's intent to hire the Shelter Manager (also a division head) with a start date of October (which is the beginning of our new budget year) to enable the Shelter Manager to get on board for the final stages. Mrs. Morris added, at this point, the new Shelter Manager will take her place as Chairman of this committee. Mrs. Morris asked if there were any questions on the new Animal Services Center or anyone interested in viewing the plans afterwards. Regarding our pet scanners; Councilor Smith put out a plea for the public to donate funds for their purchase and Dr. Gibson has already donated two used scanners. We have ordered two and we now have enough funds to order an additional scanner. Mrs. Morris stated the Health District has received $1,150.00 total donations. Dr. Gibson commented that Dr. Joe Wooster was trying to receive donated scanners. Mrs. Franklin and Mrs. Morris agreed that he had called, but we have not heard further from him, and we have been receiving donations, and thus, we have been going ahead and ordering for the donations we have. Mrs. Morris explained we have to order the pet scanners before October 1St, and additionally, Mr. Amon Riley was looking into purchasing these scanners at a reduced price but no one has came back with any information otherwise. Susan stated we would be happy to accept donated scanners. Dr. Gibson questioned if our total amount was enough to order four scanners, and Mrs. Morris said these scanners are $350 each including Animal Shelter Advisory Committee June 22, 2010 page 1 c(Y� U shipping. Dr. Gibson stated that Western Hills Veterinarian Hospital used to be able to get them free for purchasing the microchips. Mrs. Franklin added that maybe after we open our shelter, we will have the opportunity to purchase our microchips. Mrs. Morris commented that Animal Control encountered an unusual incident lately where a pet's microchip was found in the flop of the pet's head. Mrs. Byrd explained microchips can migrate. Dr. Gibson commented these chips are not supposed to migrate and an website video (AHHA.net) instructs how to scan animals because the whole animal body should be scanned, not just the neck, in a stainless steel cage, while the animal is on a leash. She added that this is an American Animal Hospital Association website, and Home Again might have something on their website how to scan, and we should not have to pay for this information. Mrs. Morris will check into her remaining educational money left for an instructional. Dr. Gibson offered her AHHA Membership to benefit our purchase of instructional videos, and Mrs. Morris thanked her. Mrs. Morris asked for any additional old business? IV. NEW BUSINESS Mrs. Morris asked for any new business? She added that Mrs. Byrd has a lot of great plans for the Wichita County Humane Shelter, and explained that this board oversees the Reclaim and Quarantine Facility at the Reclaim Center as our primary purpose. Mrs. Morris invited Mrs. Byrd to get to know this board, tell us about yourself and your new plans. Mrs. Byrd gave her short version of her experience and how she got involved with animals shelters and boards. Her new plans and many implementations include expanding shelter hours and days of operations to seven days a week, allowing the public into other buildings to adopt which resulted in over 35 recent adoptions; so those animals were given a new chance; changed our cleaning protocol utilizing EPA Registered Herbicide called "Watch Dog" (from J Services) for particularly at the ARC we always presume parvo might be present; added some employees; having regular safety and training meetings; unannounced director inspections; giving the animals a chance to outside play outside to serve them better in their new adoptive homes which is beginning of house breaking process; our Cat Habitat has plenty of cute kitties and the air conditioner is fixed; getting air conditioner for the big dog area from Allen Meeks to provide a "packaged commercial system" a thermometer which shows we are presently in the 80's; and the purchase of additional fans/ Mrs. Byrd stated she knows how to run a shelter. She added that once the animals are fed and watered, and personnel are doing OK, we will work on the grounds, playing with the younger animals which is learning process and we are all getting used to each other. Mrs. Byrd reported to her Board her last report was simple; adoptions are up, costs are down. She told members the community has been supportive, the media has been great so we are on our way. Mrs. Morris commented this is awesome. She asked members if they had any questions. Dr. Gibson asked if Dr. Sleephauf still doing spays and neuters? Mrs. Byrd said yes, once a week. She asked if these procedures are performed at the shelter. Mrs. Byrd said yes, we have a little clinic set up on far side of the building, across the street from the humane society. Discussion followed on spay and neuter coupons /vouchers, rabies shots, Mrs. Franklin added that as we get closer to our center's opening date, Susan & I would like to come out and talk to the veterinarian association, as our building plans are being finalized. Dr. Gibson commented it would great if our veterinarian community, the animal shelter, and the humane society should all work together as a team, and members agreed. Discussion followed on options, veterinarian and costs to spay and neuter for the future which the Health District is looking forward to working with the community and to get the euthanasia rate down and adoptions rates up. Dr. Gibson asked if rules were adoption were going to stay the same. Mrs. Byrd explained that is in flux presently; her stand on adoptions is any adoption that has been turned down (unless it is really obvious like last animal hit by a car or someone comments a statement detrimental about the animal in their conversation); she feels that a turned down adoption is a failure on our part to communicate and educate, and as far as it being a board policy about one of the adoptive animals Animal Shelter Advisory Committee June 22, 2010 page 2 being allowed in a home with unaltered animals, but of course, everything that leaves the shelter is altered. Dr. Gibson stated that she hopes for these changes, as a veterinarian her clients tell her that ninety percent of new pets come from out of town; we need to get that business back in Wichita Falls. Mrs. Franklin said that it has been really hard and she had a family member try to adopt an inside pet with the City of Wichita Falls ordinance. Discussion followed on strictly inside pets, kill shelters, and past history. Mrs. Franklin explained the thinking on our reclaim center and our focus. Susan mentioned that Animal Control charges ten dollars to pick up unwanted animals, and she asked Mrs. Byrd what they charge. She said they ask for $25 but we will never turn someone away. Mrs. Morris someone called her and said the humane society wants $25, but since Animal Control charges $10 and the city delivers it. Mrs. Morris said probably we want to work on these fees, and if people say they do not have the $10 either, we do not want to pick up the animal on the side of the road. Mrs. Byrd tagreed; her staff is the same and they will take whatever the pet owner can afford, and some people have more. Mrs. Morris and Mrs. Franklin cited other similar fee examples. V. ADJOURN Mrs. Morris said if there is no further business, we need to set the next meeting, and I think it would be good to schedule it at the shelter (and Mrs. Byrd should a member of the ASAC Board by then). Mrs. Morris asked Mrs. Syrus when is our next meeting date; and she said Tuesday, October 26th, which is the fourth Tuesday of October. Mrs. Morris asked Mrs. Byrd and members if that would be OK. Mrs. Byrd said that would be alright but I need to count to see where I would place everyone. Mrs. Morris said usually we do a tour. Mrs. Byrd asked if anyone is allergic to cats, so we could hold it at our Cat Habitat which has a nice living room where we can add chairs. She could talk to her board to see if they could provide lunch, or Mrs. Morris said we can bring sandwiches, if not. Mrs. Byrd exclaimed she wish she could have this board out there at the shelter today because we have made some much difference with our cleaning protocol, and letting the animals out to play. Dr. Gibson asked about disinfecting the yard? Mrs. Byrd explained the new parvo cleaner and is sharing it with Animal Control. Mrs. Morris asked if no further business, do I hear a motion to adjourn? Mrs. Miller made the motion; Dr. Gibson seconded it, motion carried to adjourn at 1:00 p.m. and all were in favor. Mrs. Morris invited members to finish their lunch and she gave a tour of the Health District to Mrs. Byrd. Susan B. Morris, Chairman Date Zoonosis Administrator /L.R.C.A. Diane Syrus, oonosi 2 OSSF, Sr. Admin. Clerk Animal Shelter Advisory Committee June 22, 2010 page 3