HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Animal Care Advisory Committee - 11/12/1992 ANIMAL CONTROL, , SORY CO TEE
City of Minutes of Regular Monthly Meeting No e
Corpus Administrative Conference R - 32„ Lorne d.
Christi Corpus Christi-Nueces Coun Hea l h(,Depart nt
MEMBESENT: Fred Greenburg, Chairman; Richard A. Sc .er, D.V.114.
Vice-Chairman; Cissi Sweeney; Mary V. Pe)k Leo ;
Larry French 0Zev
MEMBERS ABSENT: Michael Hughes, D.V.M.
STAFF PRESENT: Dr. Sisley; Cynthia Hillen; Jeff Beynon
GUESTS PRESENT: James Smith; Channel 28 Reporter and Photographer
CALL TO ORDER: By Mr. Greenburg at 2 :33 p.m. October minutes approved.
ATTENDANCE REVIEW: All in good standing.
DIRECTOR'S REPORT: Minimal statistical changes from previous month.
Veterinarians were previously given 90 days to turn in sold licenses and
qualify for $1 rebate; one turned in 1000 licenses just before the time
limit. Mr. Beynon went to State Convention in Austin. South Texas Region
will be realigned with 2 Northern counties going to Region 6; this will
affect rabies statistics. Rabies Update: 97 cases in South Texas Region
this year; cases now include a goat. A bad rabies outbreak among racoons is
occurring in the Northeast of USA; 3 opossums have been documented with
rabies. A synthetic protein has reportedly been successful in neutralizing
the rabies virus after the virus has invaded the nervous system in 80% of
test rats. Members were shown a new cage mounted on a truck compared to an
old cage; the new one will be easier to clean, easier to load animals and
have better disease controlling features.
CONTINUING BUSINESS: Mr. Greenberg spoke with the City Manager about having
dead animals picked up by the Solid Waste Division. He was told the City
Manager would look into it, but he has heard nothing more.
NEW BUSINESS: Mr. James Smith of Sea-Tec International, Inc. spoke to the
Committee about opening a local educational alligator tourist attraction
employing 6-10 people. Live animals of various ages would be housed indoor
in a climatically controlled wildlife motif. This would be a $500, 000 pilot
project, which his organization hopes would be the finest alligator facility
in the world. City Ordinance changes would be required since alligators are
a prohibited animal in this City. Before proceeding further, Mr. Smith and
Mr. Beynon want this Committee's recommendation. Motion al2nroved unanimously
to recommend this project. Michael Sargeant of Sargeant's Wholesale
Biologicals approached Mr. Beynon about buying cat carcasses over 12 inches
in length from Animal Control for $3 each. The carcasses would be prepared
for educational purposes in schools. A letter of recommendation of Mr.
Sargeant's services from Dr. Fernando A. Guerra, Director of San Antonio
Health Dept. was presented. He is also in the process of an agreement with
Dallas and Houston. These cats would otherwise end up in our City landfill.
Cats picked up from local veterinarians would not be included due to a time
frame requirement following euthanization and pick up. Mr. Sargeant formerly
operated in California, but their strict laws regarding sterilization have
greatly decreased the number of euthanized animals so they have relocated to
Texas. Motion approved to recommend this project; Ms. Sweeney abstained as
she feels uncomfortable with children handling the carcasses.
ADJOURNMENT: At 3 :37 p.m. Next meeting 12/10/92 at 2:30 p.m.