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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Animal Care Advisory Committee - 07/16/2009 C. C:t S jy -of Cft of o us Christi MINUTES OF THE CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI R El ED ANIMAL CONTROL ADVISORY COMMITTEE Nueces County Public Health District JAN 2 7 2010 Education Room, 2626 Holly Rd MY SECRETARY'S OFFICE The Minutes for July 161h, 2009 It: Members Present: Dr.Bill Watson,Samantha Person,Barbara Beynon,Dr,John Buckley Members Absent Bill Schroeder Staff Present: Kalil Copeland,Elizabeth Hundley Staff Absent: one Guests: None 1. Call to Order Dr.Watson,Chairman Dr.Watson called the meeting to order at 12:35, 2. Approval of Minutes for June 18th,200 Ms. ynon made a motion to approve the minutes,Or,Buckley 2nd the motion all in favor moflon passed. 3. Approval of Absences for June 18th,2009 No absences to approve. 4. Comm kWe Regorts Zoonosis egort The Zoonosis Report was attached for viewing.Ms. ynon asked if we had talked or knew about the case for bats at the last meeting. Ms.Copeland replied that we will get this on occasion,our percentage rate is%of 1 %which Is the national average and we are below that average. Our numbers did go up for a little while because we started testing every bat that came in.If the bat is down it needs to bet t ;even during this time we were below average. Shelter Rfflort Ms.Copeland informed the committee of the totals for the facility. The incoming animals for June 2009 was 675 and added that the important numbers for her she felt was that we were only at 3%on the rescue and adoptions in June. In general we are up in the summer so it is a concern but feels that it is probably due to the economic condifions. Ms.Copeland added that the euthanasia stays between 70 to 80%. Dr.Buckley asked what the 80%under other could it be opossums. Ms.Copeland replied opossums, we also had 4 raccoons but they were young and in good health trapped animals so we were able to re release them within miles of the trapped area. We do not do those with those that are not healthy. Ms.Copeland added that there were some birds that were brought in. Ms.Copeland also added that there was a ferret which the owner came for but it was already fixed. Ms, ynon asked if the ferret was trapped. Ms.Copeland replied that someone called in that it was in their yard.The owner came in at the last minute and there was some that came in that would have liked to adopt it. Ms.Copeland reported that the bite cases for June 71. Ms.Beynon asked what the others were for them. Ms.Copeland replied that there was some bats. The calls for services were 2,721. Animal Control Advisory Committee Meeting June lffh.1009 Ms.Copeland asked the committee if they have not already taken a tour of the facility to please do one. The reason for this is last an the Caller Times was looking to catch us about throwing dead animals in the trash.They did not because we don't do that.I feel it Is Important that you take a walk thru to see what it looks like,to see what the facility looks like.where the dead animal pick up 1%the infi rmary,see the area for the cats. We do not keep the is all in one area,at one time this was a big thing for the advisory board at one time,and it was not healthy for the and was easy for them to escape. They are all kept in individual cages now. It would give each one of you a good idea of what goes on. Clinic Rport Ms,Copeland informed the committee that there were 131 surgeries for the on of June,under of we had 4 rabbits and they were fixed. 5. Unfinished Business Discussion of apkintment for Board Members and recommendation Dr.Watson opened up the discussion for the recommendation for board members, Ms.Copeland added that when we did this last month that she forgot one of the needs to be an animal shelter person. Under the rules wen to have I veterinarian,2 local animal are organizations and 4 representing the community at large. Of the two chosen wen to decide which one to keep for the community at large and then look at the others and decide which you want to recommend for animal welfare, Ms.Copeland added that Ms.Sturbach is the one Mr.Schroeder recommended and there was Mr.William Paul Hunt. Dr.Buckley pointed out that Ms.Sturbach was highly recommended from Mr.Schroeder. A discussion was held for the otherr nti for the board. Ms.Copeland Informed the committee that she took the liberty of taking out the bios the on that had animal connections, Ms.Copeland pointed out Mr.Robert Gouvela who is involved with the Texas State Aquarium.Ms.Copeland added that she didn't know anything about Ms.Tamoski or Ms.Andraslk. Dr.Watson replied that they are sisters and co-owners of Brunds, at House and added that either would be a good for the position. Ms.Beynon asked if Ms.Tamoski mentions that she has college on her education and wanted to know If she was currently in school and also would one be referred more over the other. Dr.Watson replied no she is not in school Ms.Tamoski is more management and Ms.Andrasik is more the idea person. Dr.Buckley made a motion to recommend Ms.Sturbach for the member of the board. Ms.Beynon 2nd the motion all in favor mogon passed. Ms.Beynon felt Ms.Heather Tamoski would be good because of her skills, Dr.Buckley pointed out that either way it would be like having both of them:since they work together they would talk. If one was offered the position the other could come in and sit as public. Ms. ynon made a motion to recommend Ms.Tamoski Dr.Buckley 2rw the motion all in favor mofion passed. Ms,Person asked why you have to have a rabies vaccine 3 weeks prior before sterilization. Ms.Copeland replied that since we are a shelter and we receive animals in from all over the city in various degrees of health.If you bring your pet in and it has surgery you are putting in a debilitated position and exposing it to something it may not have any immunity agamsL It is for the safety and healthy of the animal. Ms.Person added that one of the complaints that she gets is about the feral is that someone may have in their neighborhood and can only trap it once;it would hard to trap again. Ms.Copeland replied that with the trap-after-release program we do not require that. At this time the TAR program is not technically legal but is working on it in the upcoming fees and changing of ordinance. Ms. ynon asked that is not legal according to city ordinance. Ms.Copeland replied that is correct. Ms. Hundley wanted to reiterate and advise that unless it is a posted topic we have to stay on the agenda. With the directors report if you want to include operational type questions we can't go into. Ms.Copeland added that it should have been asked when I was giving the report. Dr.Buckley pointed out that he just caught an error on last month's minutes. Ms.Copeland asked if we could go back. Ms.Hundley replied yes you can go back to that discussion. Dr.Buckley added that it was under members present where it states that Ms. Mass ad wasp sent and at that time Ms.Mass ad was not on the committee at that time. Dr.Buckley made a motion to correct the minutes to reflect Dr.Buckley's'present at the meeting and Ms.Massail no longer with the committee. Ms. ynon 2rw the motion all in favor motion passed. Ms.Copeland asked that without a question it can be asked to gob to the staff report. Ms.Hundley replied after looking over the agenda it would be no unless it as been posted as a discussion. But if you have discussed it under the directors report if you have Animal Control Advisory Committee Meeting June le.1009 an operational item you want to speak to the committee about you can do so. Ms.Hundley also added that within the limitations of her discussion the report she can address anything related to the operation unless It is specifically st for discussion only what comes from you to the committee. An issue can be discussed without question. Ms.BeynDn replied at you said she could discuss without questions. Ms.Hundley replied that in the Ume of giving the directors repon she can talk about operational issu that may be of concern.In the future that will be posted badly to allow more discussion. n advise to the committee to allow that discussion and that interchange to occur and address those questions. At this time because of the way it is posted she can express to the committee the operational issues. s.Copeland replied that the agenda should read discussion of director's report. Ms. Beynon expressed the item was mentioned by Ms.Copeland that it was not legal according to city ordinance and I asked for clarification according to the fact is that okay. Ms.Hundley replied yes because she is relaying that as an operational concern under the director's report that is a only way we can do that. Dr.Buckley added that Ms.Copeland can make all the statements she wants to where we can discuss it only at this time. Ms. Hundley replied t the clarification would very minimal just for today. Dr.Buckley added for future reference if the agenda is loosened up some in the area that would allow it. Ms.Hundley replied that it would adequately express so that her statements and her discussion with you is open and your discussion with her is very open. Ms.Copeland asked if they n to reopen. Ms. Hundley replied that they could make a motion to go back to the shelter report. Dr.Watson made a motion to go back to the shelter report, Dr.Buckley 2nd the motion all in favor motion passed. Ms.Copeland reiterated that the reason for the clinic has set up the prolocal for week prior to vaccinations is because of health and safety issues for the animal. If the animal is a traplaiterfrelease animal we o not require that. We will be addressing the traptaltedrelease in our city ordinance ever that is not going to change individual ownership of even a feral t. Not all feral cats are a pad of a colony.If you own a cat and you get it altered and it gets sick and you spent money on it then you the citizen would be angry that you even brought it here, So I feel that our veterinarian has made the right choice by staling that any animal that is owned is going to have to be vaccinated ks prior,Ms.Copeland also added that we would Irresponsible not to do that. However I will get with the veterinarian to sea if ere is possibly another way to handle the feral cats but not sure. We do not want to deter someone that Is trying to be responsible to feed,vaccinated and alter a cat in the community. Dr.Buckley added that he I like for this to be an item for the agenda for next month.Ms.Copeland reiterated for e vaccinations requirement s on feral cats for surgery. Dr.Buckley asked that we can only talk about the cats. Ms.Hundley replied that unless!Cs posted animal related issues or you made a broader topic of discussion anything under operations is going to be okay. Dr.Buckley replied that the broader we make it the more flexibility have of what we can discuss. Ms.Hundley although it cannot be so broad that it doesn't have a specific topic of discussion for informing the public as such. Dr.Buckley replied that it we were talking about vaccination policies In general that could cover cats and ferrets and other warm blooded animals that perlain to hies carriers as opposed to specifically and narrowing it to cats only.That would mean if it were too restricted to cats I couldn't ask about horses. Dr.Watson added that it could be vaccination protocol for the clinic. Dr.Watson asked if there was any new information on the DART program. Ms.Copeland rl!ed that as before the program is now going to held at the Methodist Church and the students of the program are gang to be staying t the hotel across the street so now don't have to worry about the transportation,They will also be doing the catering which is a lot less expensive then it would be at the Bank Center was going to do. Ms.Copeland added that we have been having a little difficulty With vidin us with the agenda. We donT know if they have a lot gang on with their own financial issues that it has slowed them up some but we have requested a couple of times they do this all over the United States it is not something that they are new to. We need to get the agenda so we can the CE credits for the close. We are time limit and hopefully they will be providing at soon. Ms.Beynon mentioned that she had gone to the HSUS webstle from the dty and somehow I saw their schedule for this class.So it may be there from what I saw it was very similar to the American Humane class that they had. My concern has always been is not so much the disaster itself but the after math. There is broad range of topics. s.Copeland asked when you saw this. Ms.Beynon replied that she believed it was back in June,someone had mentioned that I could go to the HSUS and that is how I found the information for the class. Ms.Copeland replied that T CA requires that on their letterhead but didn't know it was posted. if we can get a letterhead we n print it up. Ms.Beynon wanted to ask what kind of fee it was because it seemed that it could be opening to citizens. Is there a difference in the fee for the citizens. Ms.Copeland replied no believe the amount is$950. Dr.Buckley asked what the dates were for this. Ms. Copeland replied that the dates are October 1 —941h,2009. It is going to be a good class and have sent out the invitations all a!ong the gulf coast and feel that we will have a very good turn out. Ms.Copeland added that the Methodist church was been great opening the doors to us and have only asked for a$150 cleaning fee. Dr.Buckley wanted to ask a question since it is related to disaster lief;what about wildlife? Ms.Copeland replied that being around dogs and cats I hadn't thought much about the wildlife but it something to take in consideration. Dr.Buckley added that one thing came up in the Greyhound committee but never really got an answer on anything.I am a recollector and permitted by the stale for rehab right now specific to raccoons,opossums,birds and their like.But there are others who rehab birds are we going to be quarantine for evacuation,are we going to be allowed back in to be able to conduct wild rescue operations, Ms.Copeland replied that Is a very good question and would talk to n with Emergency nge t.Ms.Copeland added that she wasn't aware of many rehabbers in the area that she was aware. Where I Animal Control Advisory Committee Meeting June le.2009 f came from we had a whole list of them. We have an issue when we deal with those and it is majorly important because there are so few of you here.Dr.Buckley replied that if nothing else is helping cleaning snakes out of people houses due to floods and what not and how will this be handled. Ms.Copeland replied that is a good question and we will need you;some of our personnel are very good at handling the snakes but will have our hands fult with the dogs.Ms.Beynon commented that we could probably could talk to Parks and Wildlife and the General Land office, The WRAN Group have done a class with them on bird habilitation cleaning for birds,They conduct the classes and do a quarterly class„not sure if they still do. They have an organization ready to go,they worked after Ike,Pita and Katrina. It is a matter of getting in touch and with the appendix on the City's contingencies plan,have the appendix been done. This is where all that is addressed, Ms,,Copeland felt that the Humane Society would be able to help with but was not sure how much help the Texas Parks and Wildlife would be. Ms, Beynon added that that is there job is to be the custodians of such. Dr.Buckley added that they leach vo7lunteers how to treat the birds. If we have an oil spill in the channel then there are birds and there are e who they can call on for this. Ms,Beynon added that remembering when she was with Parks and ildlfe I had compiled list of resources for the State Wildlife Management area on the north side of San Antonio for the Wild Ufe Refuge. The claims were leaving the wildlife refuge because they were so big and the area was so large.It was taking over an area of wildlife management and compiled lists of boat ramps,which had equipment,who were the rehabilitators and it was ready when needed.It is something that is very involved. r.Buckley asked with the disaster relief also go along with hurricane. Ms.Copeland replied t is for anything and this is the first time it wlil be done in Texas. 7. Public Comments No public comments were made, 8. Idgaffy Items toe placed on the next agenda Dr.Buckley wanted to discuss what the protocol for clinic policies for feral cats for eir vaccinations for spay and neuter.He also asked about an update on hurricane procedures for disaster relief. 9. Adjournmen t Dr.Buckley made a motion to adjourn,. s.Beynon 214 the motiorr,affil in favor motion paned. 1: Dr.Buckley made a motion to reconvene the meeting to&s cuss the qualifications of the board members and the possible status change of one of the members.Ms-Beynon 2"d the motion all in favor motion passed. Dr.Watson pointed out there was question about Animal Welfare person for e board and the status of an'community at large' person to change to status of animal welfare,,Ms.Beynon expressed that she had come in as a'communily at large!and I feel that I could itch over to Animal Welfare Organization.Ms,Beynon expressed that she is on the board of the Corpus Christi Kennel Club I am an at large board member,, Dr.Buckley made a motion that Ms. ynons`status be rotated over to the Animal Welfare Organization or to fill that space as opposed to the'Public at e'slat. Ms.Person 21d the motion all In favor motion passed. Ms.Beynon asked if she was allowed to vote,Ms.Hundley replied yes.Ms.Copeland asked a point of clarification,sponsor participant and local pet awareness and adoption event,does that not qualify. Ms,Hundley a sponsor of a public event that is not necessarily the criteria you are looking to fiHl Is just a member of a local animal organization. In fact when ere is criteria that limiting probably it's advise in the future to communicate with stag is to ensure that the City Secretary add that in the you member of a local animal organization.Then each applicant can say yes or no if that is a slot you are looking to fill. That information being absent doesn't allow the committee enough information to determine that. Ms.Beynon added that as a point of clarification though when the first time I he 'animal welfare organization'w n't aware if the C.C.Kennel Club would qualify,With application ing posted on the website may need to be posted as a working definition of what is an animal welfare is and the examples would he with local shelters and they could say what place they were involved in. Ms.Hundley added that generally a non profA organization concern with the education,safety,well being of the animals and anyone being a member of a non profit or employer,board member would qualify. Also with the committee in service to this division of the health department the committee could recommending the broadening the criteria of the position.If local animal welfare animal organization is too limited. s.Copeland replied that is something to consider based upon the fact the only other option we had today was Mr.Gouvela who is involved with the Texas State Aquarium and it does need to state what he does with them.Ms. Hundley replied that the Texas State Aquarium is considered a local animal welfare organization so as an employee should fall under the criteria. Dr.Buckley added that he could be a volunteer,Ms,Copeland also added he could have donated oney,Ms. eynon added that they are tax exempt and added that she is a member of the Botanical Gardens and pay dues that makes me a solo member.Ms.Copeland replied that all of the applicants that we there was oney really one,it could be a difficult thing so it would be good to look into the broadening of the requirement. Ms.Hundley responded that it could be put forward as a recommendation to council.You could list it as an item on the pending agenda if you like and talk about it then. Ms.Beynonlknow Animal Control Advisory Committee Meeting June 18'x,2009 that when I put my application in years ago,once a year I would get a call from the City Secretary office if you are still Interested in was asked it she could update her info. Is it a policy where people can put an application at anytime during the year.It remains active and can update it at anytime. Ms.Hundley replied that to her knowledge the recent posting to put on there has increased 10 fold for the number of applicants.To the best of my knowledge yes it remains the policy but the second part of didn't believe they were doing that. Ms.Copeland added that they were that I was enlisted in the last time in helping her. Dr.Buckley added that he could qualh for the animal welfare position also due to my rehab permit and also a member of the Texas State Aquarium for any years. Dr.Buckley added that with Ms. ynon going into thew a sition it frees the people up that we are recommending without quesfion the qualification for at large themselves. Ms.Hundley added that the recommendation would go forward for you to be at large to local animal welfare. Adjo-Umment Ms.Beynon made a motion to adjourn Dr.Buckley 214 the motion all in favor motion passed. 1:31 Animal Control Advisory Committee Meeting June 18'x,2 009