Animal Shelter Advisory Committee Minutes - 05/08/2015MINUTES
THE ANIMAL SHELTER ADVISORY COMMITTEE (ASAC)
May 8, 201.5
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Katrena Mitchell ❑ Shelter Staff/LRCA /Member
Jan Herzog ❑ Citizen /Member
Lori Weaver ❑ Rescue Rep/ Member
Bryan Wade ❑ Veterinarian /Member
Michael Smith, Councillor, Councillor -At- Large ❑ Council Liaison
Steven Parady, Recording Secretary
MEMBERS ABSENT:
Lou Kreidler ❑ Staff
I. CALL TO ORDER
Katrena Mitchell, Chair, called the meeting to order.
II. REVIEW & APPROVAL OF FEBRUARY MINUTES
The minutes from the ASAC Meeting on February 13, 2015 were distributed and reviewed. Mrs.
Herzog made the motion to accept these minutes with a second by Dr. Wade Motion was carried.
IIl. OLD BUSINESS
Ms. Mitchell introduced Ms. Davis to the committee again and informed them that she had taken
the rabies authority training but hasn't been approved at that time by City Council and County
Commissioners as the local Rabies Control Authority, that today she was there as a guest. Councillor
Smith asked Ms. Davis if she would share her background with the committee. Ms. Davis informed the
committee of her background. Ms. Mitchell advised that the Health Fair took place on April 11, 2015
and that there were a few rescue groups there as well as the Texas Humane Legislative Group. There
were a few adoptions done by Animal Services and the other rescue groups. Ms. Mitchell advised that
the addition to Animal Services was still in progress. The architects had been out taking pictures and
measurements. She also advised that the City Council had approved to move forward with the project.
Ms. Mitchell advised the committee that once they break ground the project is estimated to take about
nine months. Councillor Smith asked if the air conditioning exchange system would be efficient
enough for the new addition or if there would need to be an additional one added. Ms. Mitchell advised
that to her knowledge that the system would be able to support the new addition.
Councillor Smith advised the committee that since the last meeting and talking about a possible dog
park on the east side of the city that he had talked to Pat Hoffman in property management for the city.
Mrs. Hoffman said that there some properties out in that part of the city that would work for the dog
park. Councillor Smith informed the committee that Mrs. Hoffman mentioned using some of the
existing parks on the east side of town and adding a dog park to them, depending on the size of the
park. Councillor Smith stated that he thought it was a good idea.
IV. NEW BUSINESS
Ms. Mitchell informed the committee that April 1, 2015, kicked off a community wide no kill initiative
that was set forth by Leslie Harrelson of P.E.T.S. Clinic. Ms. Mitchell explained to the committee that
it doesn't mean that we wouldn't be euthanizing. The definition that Mrs. Harrelson set forth through
long discussions is 10 percent of adopted animals being euthanized. Ms. Mitchell stated that it means
taking a look at the way we classify animals and to reach that goal by increasing adoptions and
decreasing the number of animals being surrendered to the shelter. There's also a no kill website that
lists the goals and the partners involved. There's also a marketing strategy in place that targets areas of
town with certain information and outreach. Ms. Mitchell also informed the committee that Mrs.
Harrelson was trying to get the veterinarians involved since people look to them for advice about their
pets. Mrs. Herzog stated that the initiative is trying to let the community know that shelter animals
make good pets and that's there's nothing wrong with adoption. She also stated that in the demographic
ages of from teenagers to thirty -five year olds they have the idea that shelter animals are damaged
goods. Ms. Mitchell stated that you will be seeing #adoptwf and #NKWR She also stated that from the
city perspective that there concerns when you hear about no kill the public believes that we're not
going to euthanize anything. She also stated that realistically we are going to have to euthanize some
animals, and that was Darron Leiker the City Manager's concern. Ms. Mitchell informed the committee
that they are focused more on the adoptions side of the initiative. Ms. Mitchell also informed the
committee that they are working with P.E.T.S. that has a pilot assistance program to help owners that
have to surrender their animals for something short term like pet deposits and vet care.
Councillor Smith advised that we need to try to get the word out more that Animal Services is a 21St
century facility and is beautiful and well -kept not like the shelters that people are used to going to in
the past were it was dark and smelled and you couldn't really see the animals. Then he asked about
Animal Services maybe doing another open house. Ms. Mitchell replied that on Saturday June 13,
2015 Animal Services will be hosting a big adopt Wichita Falls event at the Animal Services Center
and she's hoping that would help drive more people to the shelter that haven't been to the shelter
before. She also mentioned that the invited all of the other community partners to participate in the
event as well. Mrs. Herzog brought up the relationship with Love On Wheels and the NY Transort
program. Mitchell replied that it's been a great program. Ms. Mitchell asked Dr. Wade if he'd seen
and abundance of parvo. Dr. Wades replied he's seen parvo, and a lot of kennel cough most of the cases
that he's seen is in unvaccinated puppies. Dr. Wade also stated that with all the social media and
internet, it's frustrating that people still aren't vaccinating their pets.
ADJOURN
Ms. Mitchell advised that the next ASAC meeting is set for Friday August 14, 2015 at 12:00 p.m. Dr.
Wade made the motion to adjourn. Mrs. Herzog seconded the motion to adjourn. Motion carried and all
were in favor.
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