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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Animal Care Advisory Committee - 05/09/2002 Minutes CITY ANIMAL CONTROL ADVISORY COMMITTEE Corpus Christi-Nueces County Public Health District Administration Conference Room, 1702 Home Road May 09, 2002 Members Present: Barbara Airbeart,Denny Bales, Chris Cooper,Gail Hoffinan, Chair, Susan Thiem Members Absent: Alan Garrett, D.V.M. Staff Present: Dr.Nina M. Sisley, Lana Taylor Guests: She Dunlap Call to Order: Gail Hoffman, Chair, called the meeting to order at 12:28 p.m. The minutes for the April 11, 2002 meeting were approved as written. Attendance Review: Dr. Sisley reviewed the attendance roster with committee members. All members were in good standing. Supervisor's gsnort: Dr. Sisley recounted the April monthly report. Total calls to the Animal Control facility were up. Because of puppy and kitten season, dog donations and impounds increased. There were signs of distemper in the kennels. Dog redemptions were down and increasing numbers of sick dogs were being impounded. Cat impounds increased, and cat adoptions also increased.Numbers of opossums impounded increased, due to trapping. With trapping, and the increase in impounds and donations, euthanizations also increased. Rabies Report: Given by Dr. Sisley. In Public Health Region 11, during April, two rabid freetailed bat cases were reported in Webb County, and one rabid Cave Myotis bat in Kleberg County. One rabid freetailed bat had been found in Nueces County. Ms. Hoffinan asked where in Nueces the rabid bat was found? Dr. Sisley responded that it was found in the county rather than the city, as the case was handled by the County Animal Control staff. Ms. Hoffinan then asked how far bats roamed?Dr. Sisley stated that bats migrate and can fly long distances. Open Discussion: Dr. Sisley advised the Committee that Jorge Cruz-Redo, Assistant City Manager, Jo Ann Dominguez, and Homer T. Martinez, Jr. had gone to view the animal control facilities of Houston and Austin. Ms. Thiem suggested that those of the Committee who travel might want to visit animal control facilities in other cities. Ms. Hoffman asked about a veterinarian issuing a discount certificate for spay/neutering that could be redeemed through the state. Dr. Sisley advised that anyone who is on Medicaid might get an animal spayed/neutered for no charge. Ms.Thiem stated that the local Kennel Club membership was only about 100 members and would not make a significant difference in the numbers of pets who were not spayed/neutered. Ms. Cooper stated that the Pet Coalition had held their first meeting and that Mr. Martinez would probably give a report on that at the next meeting. Mr. Bales asked if City Officials were just plain against spay/neutering or requiring licenses for people who just wanted to keep having litter after litter?Dr. Sisley stated that she had requested to raise fees for licenses for animals not spayed/neutered, but it was not approved. The Animal Control division cannot effectively enforce collections for citations, as they do not have adequate staff. A fee increase would help, but would deter some people from buying licenses. Ms. Cooper stated that the Pet Coalition was working on different things to present to the City Council. Dr. Sisley stated that she was not sure the Council would approve a mandatory spay/neuter law. Mr. Bales stated that the animals picked up that were out and about did not have I.D. collars anyway. Dr. Sisley stated that people adopting a pet are charged $25.00 to have the animal spayed/neutered. If the owner does not do it, then he/she is just out the$25.00 fee. New Business: None. Old Business:None. ,_Adjourn The meeting adjourned at 12:47 p.m. The next meeting will be held Thursday, June 13, 2002 at 12:30 p.m. in the Administration Conference Room of the Health Department, 1702 Home Road.