HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Animal Care Advisory Committee - 03/11/2004 Minutes
Animal Care Advisory Committee
City of Corpus Christi-Nueces County Public Health District
Corpus 2626 Holly St —Education/Conference Room
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March 11, 2004
Members Present: Chris Cooper, Kendal Keyes, Sherry Dunlap, Cheryl Martinez, Sharon Massad, and
Susan Thiem
Members Absent: Dr. Alan Garrett
Staff Pre ennt: Cherrie Stunz
Staff Absent: Elizabeth Hundley
nests: Barbara Benyon, Michael Taylor, Judi Sisson
The meeting was called to order by Chris Cooper, Chairperson, at 12:34pm
AARuroval of March 11th, 2004 Minutes
The Minutes of February 121'was approved.
Ms. Martinez made a motion to approve absences; Ms. Dunlap 21 the motion, and all were in favor.
2. Board Business
Ms. Hundley was absent, as a result a decision was made to postpone any ordinance revisions.
Euthanization
Sharon Massad inquired on Dr. Garret's questions at the last meeting whether ACS was charging
for euthanization when people don't come and pick up their animal after impoundment.
Dr. Garrett was of the opinion that people should be charged for euthanization of their animals by
ACS, if they failed to claim. Since Cherrie was not at that meeting, she inquired if there was a
motion made in reference to this.
Ms. Keyes replied that no motion had been made. She said Dr. Garret had talked a lot about it,
and was going to do some more research on its possibility. Dr. Silvers commented that it was a
good idea and would like to see it happen.
Voting on Absences
Ms. Dunlap said it had been brought up at the last meeting that there be a process of voting on
absences. Ms. Stunz agreed.
Town Hall Meetings
The tentative dates for the Town Hall meeting representation by Animal Care Advisory Committee
are April 27th and May 18"' at 7:00 pm, at the Health Department Auditorium.
3. Director's Report
No Director's Report was given.
4. Manager's Report
Rabies Clinic
ACS will be having a rabies clinic on Saturday, March 2,7t', 2004 from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm at
Gardendale Baptist Church. All rabies vaccination clinics will be in Neighborhood Initiative
Program areas. Vaccination price is $6.00.
Ms. Martinez inquired of help at passing out flyer. The Neighborhood Initiative Program, Code
Enforcement and the Postal Service are responsible for distributing flyers.
Staff Ugdate
ACS is almost fully staffed with 10 full time field officers, with the exception of two on'no work'
status due to injury. A new field and kennel officer are of the recent additions.
New Facility U1240te
ACS open at 2626 Holly Rd. beginning March 261- The official 111 working day at that facility will
be the 2911 of March. Future Advisory meetings will take place at the new facility in the
Education/Conference Room. ACS will be hosting TDH Basic Training for officers, and will lend
the facility to host various organizations. Vector Control uses the other half of the facility, and
shares the Conference and Dining room. ACS will have seminars under the Texas Department of
Wild Life Damage Management and some other groups. Citizens will be able to attend for
example, 'Proper trapping of nuisance animals'seminar.
S. Old Business
Sweeps
Discussion by Ms Massad followed regarding sweeps. Ms. Stunz added that in areas where we
have been keeping up with sweeps and go back regularly, amazing things have happened and
we don't see nearly as many roaming dogs. Citizens know to comply, and vaccinate and
license their animals. The impact has been positive.
ACS plans for officers to stay in those areas, not just rotate areas. Getting to know the citizens
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in that neighborhood, working with individuals to help with compliance with the ordinances is
the goal of ACS.
Micro ChiRRing
Ms Massad, added that she believed that the micro chipping of dogs being adopted out should
be something to work towards. Ms Stunz agreed. A microchip on that dog will prevent
owners from lying about repeat offences.
Breeders Permits
The issue of the definition of Breeders surfaced again and this issue appears to be a sensitive
one, Ms. Massad wanted a specific conclusion of the Committee's position on breeders. The
confusion still persists about who was to be classified as a commercial breeder as opposed to a
backyard breeder. Would both be required to pay the same amount of money for the permit?
It was felt that some kind of data was required to show the number of animals bred, and the
percentage that are euthanized or find themselves in animal shelters.
New Business
Ms Keyes suggested that enforcement and education would be the route to go to solve the various problems.
She made a motion to set up a Sub Committee to look into the issues; if it be of demographics, culture, or
otherwise, we want to know why we have the problems, and if it is unique or common problem, an
appropriate solution will help tremendously even if it took a year. Ms Stunz agreed.
Ms Keyes made a motion to form a sub-committee for this. Ms Massad 2"d the motion. It was voted 5 in
favor, with 1 abstention. A sub-committee will be established.
Dr Silvers at this time wanted the public comments.
Public Comments
Judi Sisson representing Coastal Bend Small Breed Rescue protested the way they had been treated by Animal G
Services in the last 4 months.
ACS she said, inspected them almost once a week, due to"anonymous"complaints.
Ms. Stunz acknowledged the complaint and offered to look into it. She requested that Ms Sisson contact her at h
earliest convenience.
Ms Martinez made a motion to adjourn and Ms Dunlap 2nd the motion. All were in favor.