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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Animal Care Advisory Committee - 01/19/2006 � ''' ,I kl;r N+1'n'�Caro City of °� NMro' ll P Corpus r Christi %00%mo%mon , City of orpus Christi MINUTES OF THE CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI ANIMAL CONTROL ADVISORY COMMITTEE Nueces County Public Health District Education Room, 2626 Holly Rd January 19th, 2006 Members Present: Susan Thiem, Kendall Keyes, Dr John Buckley, Dr William Watson, Members Absent: Sharon Massad, Pam Rhyner and Paul Reynolds Staff Present: Angel Hernandez, Jaime Luna and Robert Smith Staff Absent: Annette Rodriguez, Cherrie Stunz Guests: None 1. Call to Order: Susan Thiem, Chairperson, 12:36pm 2. Aooroval of December 15th 2005 Ms. Keyes amended the minutes of Dec 15, 2005 IPara. 2 to read - "Ms. Keyes recommended that we have a standing sub-committee." Dr. Watson made a motion to approve the minutes with an amendment, Dr. Buckley 2"'" and motion passed with all in favor. ., Zoonosis Report The Zoonosis report was attached for view. Dr. Buckley brought in a sample of a "Chagas' Bug" for the committee to view in reference to the article on the Chaga's Disease. Dr. Buckley explained the process of the insects' bite and the accompanying symptoms which include some effects on the brain and possible neurological and cardiac problems - any warm blooded animal could potentially carry it the disease. Presently there is no vaccination and the disease is not like a `fever' type of disease. 4. Staff Report Field Report Anlm®l Control Advisor),Committee Meeting qfDecember l5t 2005 The field supervisor, Angel Hernandez reported that field services were going very well, however, the NIP program had a low turnout and he said the program needed more advertising. ACS has posters that are from the Texas Department of Health showing the time and place displaced in various stores. Ms. Thiem indicated that the Committee would like to help in some capacity with the program. The Investigator, Mr. Smith had been successful in obtaining warrants for the seizures or confiscation of animals. He continues to work closely with other field officers. Ms. Keyes wanted to know about the North Side event. Mr. Hernandez said 12 animals were picked up and there had been 2 sweeps in the area. There was no indication of a cat problem in the area, however citizens were disappointed with City Council and complained of not being included in the NIP. Next NIP Clinic might be in January. Ms. Thiem commended one of the field officers who came to her neighborhood to pick up strays. Ms. Keyes wanted to know if an ACS annual report was prepared for City Council. Mr. Hernandez said there wasn't but Ms. Stunz had recently requested one. Mr. Luna added that he had seen a document on recent accomplishments for the year 2005. It included vaccination clinics and school visits. By the next ACAC meeting ACS will have had a new truck for the Opossum Pick up. Kennel Staff Mr. Luna presented newly acquired collars for incoming animals. Animals are not able to chew on these like the old ones. He also reported that on the Channel 10 spots we have begun advising the public on safety for pets in the home, with the Holiday plants, i.e., poinsettias and ivy. Dr. Buckley wanted to know the number of adoption for 2005. Mr. Luna replied that we are close to our goal of 1,000 and the last figures recorded were about 800, which did not include transfers to other shelters. Dr. Watson commented that he had new clients who come in with animals adopted from ACS, and comments that ACS was the cleanest facility in town. Mr. Luna said he would convey this to staff and thanked Dr. Watson. The facility had recently encountered its first Upper Respiratory problem with cats. Adoptable cats were moved out into the Nursery for cleaning and sterilization of the rooms - a 3 day process. Symptoms of parvo seemed to be apparent in a recent confiscation of animals from Daly St. The animals were kept in steel cages, away from the population already in the facility. Incidentally, a puppy did die with symptoms of parvo the following day. The room recycles its own air, just like the bite area. Dr. Buckley said betadine does have an affect on cats and Ultraviolet Sterilizers could fit into the A/C ducts to help kill almost anything, but might not help with Upper Respiratory tract problems. Dr. Buckley said epoxy paint was better for the walls than the present latex painting because it was easier to clean. Investigators Report Animal Control Advisory Committee Meeting of December 15`".1005 2 Mr. Smith said more than 40 animals had been seized in 2005, compared to 10 in 2004. Field officers are being involved more in the hearings of seized animals. He said Mr. Smith said all field and kennel staff will be trained on body condition scoring which enables a visual scoring of an animal they can't get their hands on. This scoring is required by a judge to make decisions to issue a warrant. Scoring is usually graded from 1 to 10, which also includes the cruelty aspect of an overweight animal. Administrative hearings will be twice a week - Wednesday and Thursday. More animals are being brought in from accusations of public nuisances and attacks on other animals. Officers are notifying citizens of the law. ACS is waiting City Council to approve funding for new cameras for field staff and also a lap top for warrants in the field to make the process more time efficient. Mr. Smith adds that he is involved in the BAHA Herpetological Society whose focus is on education, health care and legal issues concerning reptiles. There are speakers talking on health care and various topics. There is an upcoming meeting for 27th of December over 100 people are expected to attend. Dr. Tristan of Oso Creek Animal Hospital is spearheading this organization. Mr. Hernandez distributed plaques to each committee member as a `thank you' from the City. Ms. Keyes wanted to know if the City had an "Employee of the year award? Mr. Hernandez said this had been tried in the past, but presently it was a matter of budget constraints however, when Joe Green was a director there were awards. S. Old Business A discussion was held on sub-committees. Ms. Keyes inquired if we had decided on what the committees were to be called. Ms. Thiem said sub committees were required for ordinances, newsletters, education and emergency planning. Dr. Buckley said the committee should start with small proposals to City Council because a large proposal might be thrown out. Ms. Thiem wanted the matter tabled and would like to see a sub--committee established. Ms. Thiem said emergency planning was the most important. Dr. Buckley wanted emergency disaster planning for ACS to establish the best reactive procedure to any disaster by preventing the kind that happened with Rita and Katrina. Dr. Watson said this depended on what the facility. A sub-committee was formed for Emergency planning with Dr. Buckley, Dr. Watson and Ms. Thiem. Ms. Thiem said other sub-committees would be tabled at the next meeting and information will be available for the Newsletter as well at the next meeting. 6. New Business Ms. Thiem informed the committee of a letter from Ms. Dunlap, faxed to Ms. Stunz, addressed to the committee. This letter was as well sent to other people within the City. Ms. Stunz had responded to Ms. Dunlap and Ms. Thiem had talked with Tom Watson of Nueces County Animal Control as well, concerning the letter. Animal Control Advisory Committee Meeting of December 15t 2005 3 An upcoming Cat Ordinance goes into effect in January. Ms. Keyes wanted to know what is normally done by the City when a new ordinance is enacted to educate the general public. Dr. Buckley added that we could look into having an insert done in the Utility Bill that goes out from the City to make them aware of the new ordinance. Ms. Thiem added that she felt that the committees concern is to help get the information out to the public on these matters. Ms. Thiem also added that she was not sure of what would be done because she was unaware of any low cost spay/neuter programs. Dr. Watson replied that GCHS, Pee Wees and PALS have low cost programs. Ms. Thiem inquired from Mr. Smith how the public was to be made aware of the new cat ordinance. Mr. Smith said the field officers made citizens aware as they came in contact with them. Any free-roaming cats that are not spayed or neutered will incur citations for their owners. Ms. Keyes wanted to know how the ordinance was made public. 7. Public Comments No public attended. 8. Adiournment Ms. Massad made a motion to adjourn, Paul Reynolds 2nd the motion. Motion passed with all in favor at 1:53pm. Animal Contra!Advisory Committee Meeting ofDecember 15A,1005 4