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WC CWF Health District Board Minutes - 02/28/2014 • WICHITA FALLS-WICHITA COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH BOARD MINUTES February 28, 2014 Wichita Falls-Wichita County Public Health District 1700 Third Street - Parker Conference Room Wichita Falls, Texas MEMBERS PRESENT: Board Members Scott Plowman, Chair Julie Gibson, D.V.M, Vice-Chair I CITY CLERK'S OFFICE Jane Leach, R.N., Ph.D., Secretary DAM: 124//fr Kirk Harlow, Ph.D. Michael Lamar, M.D. ;7-2:Y: ___ AV_TIME: tf64f-i Robin Moreno, MHA-HAS, ACHE INDUCTION OF NEW MEMBER ABSENCE EXCUSED: Larry Rains, D.D.S. Lou Kreidler, R.N., B.S.N. Director of Health Amy K. Fagan, M.P.A. Assistant Director of Health Not Present Associate Health Authority Kevin Hugman Assistant City Manager Not Present Council Liaison Not Present County Judge I. CALL TO ORDER Dr. Kirk Harlow called the Health Board meeting to order at 12:10 pm followed was the induction of new members in order to attain a quorum. II. INDUCTION OF NEW MEMBERS Appointment of new Health Board members was conducted by Janice Flores, Notary. Robin Moreno was inducted into the City appointed At-Large vacancy left by Dr. David Carlston. Dr. Julie Gibson was inducted into the City appointed Practicing Veterinarian vacancy left by Dr. Clay Clark. III. ELECTION OF OFFICERS Dr. Michael Lamar introduced a motion to nominate Scott Plowman as Chair and Dr. Gibson seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously. Scott Plowman introduced a motion to nominate Dr. Julie Gibson as Vice Chair and Dr. Lamar seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously. Scott Plowman introduced a motion to nominate Dr. Jane Leach as Secretary and Dr. Lamar seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously. IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES AND ABSENCES Scott Plowman called for the review and approval of minutes from the meeting held on February 28, 2014. Dr. Leach introduced a motion to approve the minutes as presented and Dr. Gibson seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously. At this time it was noted an excused absence for Dr. Larry Rains induction as a new Health Board member. V. ANIMAL ORDINANCES Lou Kreidler, Director of Health stated that with the Breeders Ordinance was the consideration of adoptions at the Animal Services Center (ASC) that was presented before Council as a planning item would be the meetings topic. Last year's statistics was presented due to the outstanding numbers. The animals impounded was 3,009 and 1,110 surrendered by owners or citizens between October 1, 2012 and December 31, 2013. The euthanasia rate last year was at 56%, the first year at the facility at 68%, and over 70% when at the Humane Society. In discussion with Katrena Mitchell the Animal Services Administrator this year was the number of animals that come in that die in care or too sick to survive not been a fair representation of the true euthanasia numbers to include although a small number it does make a small difference. The other service offered to the community when an animal is old, hurt beyond recovery the owner can come in request their animal be euthanized as provided when with the Humane Society. Those pets are never available to be sent elsewhere so this year those numbers are not included but when those numbers are included there still an over 8% deduction in the euthanasia rate from last year. The numbers show the job Animal Service staff does to get animals reclaimed by their owners with the reclaim number up almost 2 '/s% this year. Katrena Mitchell does a great job getting the animals out on Pet Point and Facebook when they come in since those groomed are obviously owned she provides the information in an attempt to get the animals back home. One number that remains static since the facility opened are the number of animals the Humane Society take each year; last year 17% previouslyl6%. Adoption was considered to assure more animals find homes and decrease the euthanasia rate. The ASC facility was opened on February 1, 2011 and currently contract with the Humane Society for adoptions they are paid $15,000 a year with no contracted number of animals they have to take. The Humane Society has limited available space to select animals from the ASC for adoption since they do receive animals from out in the county and surrounding areas in an endeavor to adopt out. The ASC receives those animals from the community within the city limits of Wichita Falls. Scott Plowman asked how does the Humane Society distinguish what animals to take for adoption? Lou Kreidler replied on the animals appearance whether not be adoptable, temperament and availability of space. The percentage of animals the Humane Society had taken from October 1, 2013 to January 19, 2014 was at 16.59% appears constant as well for this year. We would like to propose to Council to designate cages for adoption; two medium to large dog runs, four to six small dog cages, and four to six cat cages. The animals would be chosen on health, temperament, and suitability for adoptions. Dogs would be tested for heartworms and cats for FIV (feline immunodeficiency) and FeLV (feline leukemia) for assurance of their health. As currently administered is a short term flea and tick treatment not a long term due to the short duration at the shelter but would look at a longer topical flea and tick treatment along with vaccinations for Bordetella (kennel cough), Distemper, and Parvo. The adoption process would consist of an application the screening process then once approved pay Animal Services a $50 fee then schedule an appointment with a veterinarian of their choice for the animal to receive the rabies vaccine, spayed or neutered as required by State law of all animals adopted. The animal would be held at the shelter until the day of the appointment then the 2 Animal Control Officer (ACO) would deliver the animal to the veterinarian for the owner to pick up that afternoon and pay the veterinarian all fees associated with the rabies vaccine, spay or neuter. Animal Control would microchip the animal on the day of the procedure and once sterilized the owner would have 10 days to return proof of sterilization and rabies vaccination to obtain a City tag. The benefit is that more animals would be saved. Currently when people come in find a animal they want to adopt they have to leave the Animal Services Hatton Road facility go out to the Humane Society on Old Iowa Park Road fill out an application for the Humane Society approval once approved if there had been good communication so that Animal Services still have the animal the Humane Society retrieves the dog so the applicant can adopt the dog. Some people would come to Animal Services to adopt a dog but would not go to the Humane Society and vice versa there is a need in the community. Dr. Gibson stated there definitely is a need for more reasons than Lou brought up. There are so many animals brought into Wichita Falls from other surrounding Humane Societies which brings more animals into the City when animals can be adopted here. Another reason had heard that people find a pet they want but with the disconnection between Animal Services and the Humane Society the animal was put down, etc. It is incredible how fast the human and animal bond happens it is seen daily happens in a few minutes. Everyday people pick up animals lost or put out and will not take them to the Animal Services Center because they have a bad condemnation and that adoptions would probably solve that issue because everybody believes the animals are going to be put down. Anyone that has lost their pet thinks first to call Animal Control but because of those that do not take the animal to Animal Services that ability has been lost people are not getting back with their pets and that may stop with the Adoption ordinance. Lou Kreidler stated with the adoptions Animal Services would be perceived in a positive image instead of just a killing facility. Even with a limited number of animals they would be held for a month then attempt to get them into Animal Rescue. Daily there are adoptable animals that the Humane Society may not have available space and not be full blood enough for Animal Rescue. Dr. Gibson asked what the requirements are; such as going to the home to see if they pass inspection. Lou Kreidler answered that inside dogs can be adopted by those living in an apartment with no yard just adequate space for the dog to go out to the bathroom and conditions conducive. Both inside and outside dogs must meet the ordinance requirements to provide water, shelter, and shade. Past history will be checked for those over the past year that had more than one animal at large will not be able to adopt. Dr. Gibson stated a lot of people go out of the City to adopt animals due to the Humane Society rules and regulations, if they are too strict it is not going to be a good thing. Dr. Lamar asked what specifically do they complain about. Dr. Gibson replied not able to adopt an animal because they did not have a sufficient dog house, did not have a dog house, or already had animals of a certain gender. Dr. Lamar asked if the staff was good with this would it not be a burden on them. Lou Kreidler responded there should not be any additional staffing needs it would be in addition to the present responsibilities of staff. In a prior review the $50 fee would cover the cost to feed, vaccinate and treat the animals. Does anyone have other questions on the adoption program? When Katrena Mitchell looked at Adoption programs across the State there was a Barn Cat program that allows adoption of feral, semi-feral cats or kittens unsuitable for home environments to be placed in barns, warehouses, or other suitable locations. 3 The P.E.T.S. (Preventing Euthanasia Through Sterilization) clinic has grant funding to spay or neuter, vaccinate, and tip ears of feral cats at low or no cost. The feral cats would not be held beyond their normal holding time it would not be necessary due to an abundance of feral cats before released they would be spayed or neutered and given the rabies vaccination. Requirements are in the proposed ordinance that they have a place to keep the animals in a location for two weeks. The reason required is if a feral cat is turned loose in a location they will be gone so this accumulates them to a location. It is an alternative for people to obtain cats they want for their barn or warehouse for rodent control. It ensures those animals are vaccinated, spayed or neutered so the person that locates them there does not have an over population and no fees are associated with the program. Scott Plowman what is the ratio of dogs to cats? Lou Kreidler said that probably depends on the time of year the cats by far last May Animal Services got in 600+ cats there are times of the year we see more of one or the other. Dr. Gibson stated cats have a quiescent period through the year once that's past they are induced ovulators they are breed have kittens. The quiescent period is actually after winter where dogs just go into heat twice a year depending on when their heat cycle is. A cat can go in and out of heat as often as every 4 to 9 days they can have a litter then 60 days later be in heat again and have another litter. Dr. Lamar asked have you looked at communities around the country that have put in a fairly aggressive ordinance. I know you have to push back on the Council level since mandating peoples control over their pet. Lou Kreidler replied no the Council was actually excited. These are feral animals it is not like you have an animal in your home that was the Breeders ordinance and yes we have had to push back it is the third year it was taken to the Strategic Council each time gone back with different things done in hope that I would get it through. Dr. Lamar asked do they actually see drops in numbers in those communities. Lou Kreidler stated in long term it is not something you are going to be see Animal Service has seen a drop in the number of animals brought in part of that is contributed to P.E.T.S. number of spay and neuter done. The only effective way to get over population under control is to spay and neuter that until unwanted breeding is under control then we are never going to control the number of unwanted animals in the community. Scott Plowman asked what is needed from the Board today. Lou Kreidler answered a motion either to recommend or not recommend the Adoption Ordinance for Council. Dr. Gibson commented it would be great for the Animal Service Center to adopt out animals she personally cannot see any cons only a possible conflict with the Humane Society. Lou Kreidler added the animals for adoption would be taken from those that the Humane Society do not take due to lack of space. Dr. Gibson stated it offers another s venue with Scott Plowman adding the Animal Service Center is trying to save animals life. Scott Plowman asked for a motion to recommend the Animal Services Adoption Ordinance to Council. Dr. Harlow seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. 4 VI. NEXT MEETING April 25, 2014 VII. ADJOURN Scott Plowman requested a motion to adjourn. The motion was made by Dr. Lamar and seconded by Dr. Harlow the motion carried and the meeting was adjourned at 12:55 pm. \ " — ^, ,, Signature Print Name Scott Plowman, Chair, Julie Gibson, D.V.M., Vice-Chair, or Jane Leach, R.N., Ph.D., Secretary WFWC Public Health Board Title 5