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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Animal Care Advisory Committee - 08/20/2009 f hm iCit Of CO us Chfisti City offorpDus Christi MINUTES F THE CITY CHRISTI "� IVED ANIMAL L ADVISORY COMMITTEE Nueces County Public Health i tric JAN 2 7 2910 Education Room, 2626 Holly Rd The Minutes for August 20, 2009 CITY SECRETARY'S OFFIGE Members Present Dr.Bill Watson,Samantha Person,Dr.John Buckley and Bill Schroeder Members Absent: Barbara Beynon Staff Present: Kelli Copeland,Elizabeth Hundley Staff sent: None Guests: Andrea Neff 1. Call to order. Dr.Watson,Chairman Dr.Watson called the meeting to order at 12.32 2. Approval of lnutes for July 1161h,2009 Dr.Buckley made a motion to approve the minutes for July 200,2009;Ms.Person 2nd the motion all in favor motion passed. 3. Approval of Absences for July 16M.2009 Mr.Schroeder informed the committee that he was out because of being on vacation. Dr.Buckley made a motion to approve Mr.Schroeders'absence;Ms.Person 2nd the motion all in favor motion passed. 4. Committee Reports Zoonosis Report The Zoonosis Report was attached for viewing. Dr.Buckley pointed out the report was primarily bats. Shelter Report Ms.Copeland informed the committee of the problems with the mice in the building. Ms.Copeland added that they are all over the place;we have used poison.We thought about putting cats up in the atfic but it is too hot for that.We haven't figured out where they are coming in from so at this time we are using traps and poison. Dr.Buckley asked what kind of mice they were.Ms.Copeland replied that they are field mice. Dr.Buckley replied that it could be a problem because they are hunters which are a potential health problem. Ms.Copeland asked for suggestions,we had to pull all of our files out of the attic because that is where they were nested. It happened overnight. Dr.Buckley added that if you are handling them use gloves,if you have to clean up fecal material that's especially where the virus resides where masks or respirators. Ms.Copeland replied that she had done the cleaning I couldn't'ask my staff to do it. Dr.Buckley advised to be careful it could carry Hanta Virus which is spread through field mouse urine and feces. Mr.Schroeder added that if you can't fix it call me because I take care of Cale Park;if you need me 1 can take care of it for you. Ms.Copeland added that she doesn't like the fact that we are poisoning the mice but we can't use the cats or Animal Control Advisory Committee Meeting Jane 18''"2009 the snake. Mr.Schroeder added that you want to get that down to 100%not 95 because it will rebound on you within 30 days. Ms.Copeland replied that we went from almost nothing to what we have now. We determined that they were going after the water from the air conditioners. Mr.Schroeder added that if you add bleach to the drain it will sour the water so they won't want to get to it.They could also be going to the exposed pipes where they can have condensation. Ms.Copeland pointed out that we are also shod staffed. In the office we have 3 positions which we have Ms.Taube, Mr.Baggling and 1 temporary which is replacing Ms.Hernandez who went to a position in the Police Department. Ms, Hernandez helped a lot with the budgeting. In the field we are down by 2 positions,one was a termination and the other transfer due to injury. Mr,Zapata,Mr.Trevino that was doing Bite Cases is out in the field and Ms.Davila is on leave was in a yard out in the field and tripped. We thought at first it was broken but it is severely sprained;we were going to bring her in to do some light duty but they have her on medicine that prevents her from driving.Ms.Young is on vacation;Mr.Perryman is off on vacation who works our evening shift. Mr.Ray is covering the night shift for the person that was terminated which leaves us with 2 officers during the day. You will see that back at the first of the year had asked Mr.Gould to create a report that showed how many calls we had in the box for the field and how they are working the calls to get them down. Ms.Copeland added that just by getting this report into practice we have been able to see the problems and get the numbers down. We started at 322 back on 6118109 and by 711109 we had them down to 76 at the end of the day. Ms.Copeland added that we got it down to 36 in August;we are getting to feel the effects of the city freezing the 11/2 position's for us. We had to hold staff back from the field to help with euthanasia and to help with cleaning the kennels before they go out into the field. This will affect the numbers because of being shod in the field too;they are already starting to go back up. Ms.Copeland added that she had sat down and talked With the staff personally and what they could do to get the numbers down. We were fully staffed and spread out 24 hours and reduced the comp time.We are not quitting but making you aware it is going to be a struggle right now keeping the numbers down. Ms.Copeland added that we ran a requisition for job postings for the 2 positions which we received 12 applicants of which we chose 6;out of those 2 were no shows on the interviews, 1 was bad phone#and another declined when realized what the shift was.We chose one of the two so we will re-past for the other position. Ms.Copeland also reminded the committee that we have been using temporary staff in the kennel and will be getting ready to step away from that;we had intended to use temporaries to help offset the budget then we are not paying the benefits. At that time budget felt it was a good idea and then they turned around and froze the 1 %positions.We can't afford to lose anymore positions. Ms.Copeland added that we will be posting for the 3 AC01 positions.There was a temporary employee whom we had to let go due to an issue but he has fulfilled the requirements to be re-hired which we probably will re-hire as an AC01 or ACO2.This individual is an excellent employee and am very glad that he wants to come back he is a very hard worker. Ms.Copeland pointed out to the committee the totals for the percentage report. Ms.Copeland added that there is a great increase in the owner surrender for this month. It has been a lot more people bringing in their pets to turn over; there are people coming in everyday. The mice and the gerbils they were owned;most of the cats and dogs coming in were owned animals. Dr.Watson also added that he has seen the increase in this also with school starting because of needing to purchase clothes and supplies for their children. Ms.Copeland pointed out that for the month of July there were 2,723 for calls of service;97 bile cases. There were 177 surgeries;Dr.House was out a few days this week due to the flu. The outgoing animals 1,166 and that are up. Ms.Copeland added that she wasn't sure if we had ever had that many outgoing before. Dr.Buckley asked what kind of animals were under relocated ones. Ms.Copeland replied that at the last meeting we had some raccoons,also had some ducks. Ms.Copeland informed the committee of the staff talking about putting cat kennels back up in the front. That way when people come in they can be seen more easily when customers come for other things by seeing them in front may show interest in adoption. Ms.Copeland asked Ms.Person if the kennels that are on the handout were the ones she was using. Ms. Person replied that she was using them for boarding.Ms.Copeland asked she liked them.Ms.Person replied she did. Ms.Copeland asked the committee that if there was any avenue to address the public about interest in the kennels.Mr.Schroeder asked how they are purchased. Ms.Person replied that we did not purchase them someone had made them for us. It was from a picture that she had seen from the intemet and they were$700 for 1 section and the larger is$1,400. Ms.Person added that they have ones that are less expensive that would be good for viewing. Ms.Copeland added that we are hoping that we could have the assistance of the committee in helping in Animal Control Advisory Committee Meeting June le.2009 � 1 moving in this direction. it would be nice to move the vending machines so we can show the pets there;it would be a good move for the shelter right now. Dr.Buckley added that they use to keep them in front,kittens and dogs.Mr. Schroeder added that maybe there would be a high school wood shop that would be able to do a project in making them.Dr.Buckley also added that the Boy Scouts could do this as a project as a way of going for their Eagle Scout Project. Ms.Copeland replied that we had Girl Smuts in and they had painted backdrops for when we take pictures of the animals for Pet Harbor so it would look nicer. Mr.Schroeder asked how the ones were made where Ms.Person'is at. Ms.Person replied that they are made of wood;they were made at 4%ft high and for the purpose of just viewing they could be made in half.The people that made them said it cost around 3k to make 10.Ms.Copeland asked how they hold up.Ms.Person replied that they were painted with oil based paint so it would be easy to scrub and clean. Dr.Buckley asked what kind of covering it had. Ms.Person replied that it was chicken wire. Dr.Watson added that he had had some problems the cats would sometime scratch the paint oft,felt that Formica would be good. Mr.Schroeder asked how much the metal ones cost. Ms.Copeland replied that$1,400 for a bank of them which are 6. Dr.Watson added that it depends on the size,for 4' they are$1,400.00,the 5'are$1,900 and 9'are$3.400.00. Mr.Schroeder asked how many did you want to set up for. Ms.Copeland replied that she wanted to set up for 6. Dr.Watson added that maybe if they were made smaller she could get 9. Ms.Copeland replied that if they were like that there could be a problem with cleaning the top ones and inside we wouldn't be using a hose to clean. Dr.Buckley added that it might better to use the bank of metal cages. Dr. Watson added that maybe if you used smaller ones you could have more up front. Ms.Copeland asked if anyone had any questions regarding the shelter report. Mr.Schroeder asked how everything was going with checking for microchips before the animals are being euthanized. Ms.Copeland replied yes that is going much better.Officers Davila and Zapata are doing that right oft the truck.They are also the ones doing the EU and the cats scanned a lot better on that also. There has actually been some that we found that were ours that we adopted out and we were able to return them to their owner. Dr.Buckley also added the item that we started to discuss about the reptile rescue organization. Ms.Copeland replied that Mr.Gould went out and visited with him. He is outside of the City limits so we don't have the control over him but however made aware that he needs a permit to be able to bring a reptile into the city;so next month we will have Mr. Gould give a report on that. Dr.Buckley asked if this is something that we need to put on the agenda for next time.Ms. Copeland asked Ms.Hundley if that could be under the shelter report.Ms.Hundley replied wherever you decide to put it. Dr.Buckley mentioned that he found out that his rehab permit doesn't cover exotic reptiles such as large pythons etc;I had talked to the state about that and technically have to have the state permit for those. Ms.Hundley pointed out that we are going in too much,now if the item was posted broader to discuss rehab permits and related discussions would be okay. Ms.Copeland informed the committee that back in June she had made a request of Mr.Gould about getting a monthlyidaily report on what his staff was doing and doing to bring the numbers down in the field and also asked Dr. House to do this as well. You will see that the under the vaccinations in the month of June they did a total of 51 and in July did a total of 64. The clinics on Monday we don't allow more then 50 because what happens is it ends up putting us taking longer. The spay and neuter are also listed;Ms.Copeland added that this will be worked on better. The thing about doing the reports;once we started doing them we saw a improvement in what has happening, When Mr. Gould started doing them and started talking about the numbers started going down. When we started doing the tours of the staff on Monday we saw a increase in the spay neuters,not a great increase but it has been better and expect for it to continue. Clinic Report Ms.Copeland informed the committee that there were 177 surgeries for the month of June. 5. New Business Discuss protocol for clinic policies on feral cat's vaccinations for spay and neuter clinic Dr.Watson announced the next item on the clinic policies for vaccinations on feral cats for the spay/neuter clinic.Ms. Copeland informed the committee that the trap/alter/release started in November 2008 and the total of the grant was $9,975.00. When the animals are brought in they are brought in the morning sometimes by citizens and other times by Animal Control Advisory Committee Meeting.June le.2009 Mr.Noble. Now they are being brought in by the citizens,when we first began Mr.Noble was new to the department and would go out and set the traps and bring them in. They are usually left between the hours of 7:30 and 8:30 Tuesday thru Friday. If one is brought in later it may not be done the same day but would be allowed to be dropped off. They are examined by the veterinarian;Dr House uses a triple lest for feline aids,leukemia and heartworm. Those tests are fairly expensive however we were able to get the triple test now as opposed to just the Aids and Leukemia at the same price we were getting the double. Dr.House is keeping records on this as well.If a cat is positive it is euthanized. If it is negative the cats vaccinated for rabies and then perform the surgery. Thus far we have done procedures on 80 cats,20 of them were euthanized and 1 died during surgery.There are 2 still waiting right now for testing and surgery. 57 of them have been returned to the community. Ms.Copeland pointed out that we started the program near Baker School area,Olson, Casa Unda, Ray Dr,Devon and Greengrove.These areas are not all that far apart You can view the maps here;currently we are working Olsen this week and this street and this will complete the area. Mr.Noble will be talking with the teachers over at Baker,he has already spoken with a lot of the citizens.They are very pleased with the way the project has turned out There were some that were skeptical in the beginning. There is a reduction in the cat colonies,it does keep the cats out and they seem to be stabilized.Once school gets started we will be talking to them also, Ocean Drive is Texas AM they have joined us and excited about it. They do everything including the transport and picking up;they loo are keeping their own records. The Middleooff area is an assisted living center and they have the problem where senior citizens put out food for the animals and then you have a colony of cats living there. There is also Abbey Drive which at first I wasn't crazy about doing this area;this was one of Ms.Ramos find.It is a more affluent area,the two things caused me to do this,and it would show good to do the more affluent area which would help in getting more support for this. They want to donate for the program and to see the program continue and that is a bonus for us. Ms.Copeland did point out that there was a slow start to the program but the momentum has picked up. In the beginning Mr.Noble was doing all the foot work and took a lot of people to participate and are actually calling us now and trapping the cats,picking them up and re releasing them into the community. Mr.Noble has approached Petsmart and asked for additional time. The grant runs out in November 2009 and they have graciously said yes that it's not unusual to ask and granted us another year. Dr.Buckley asked if that could be extended beyond another year. Ms. Copeland replied that with the amount of money they have given us we had a year to spend it as you can see so far we have spent$3,180.00. They have given another year for us to use the rest of it. Now the momentum has picked up I feel that we will go thru it pretty quickly. Ms.Copeland also added that she wanted to proceed in getting an ordinance change;I would like to see a common permit If you have colony near your home that you have been feeding and taken care of;if you have it permitted then you could have them altered,tagged or ear clipped then you wouldn't have to worry about those animals being picked up or write citations for harboring those animals. You would be able to maintain them in a legal manner;they would be vaccinated for rabies.At this time the ordinance requires that they wear their tag to be altered and with the permit it would be a form of registration. We are hoping to document their registrations with the ear dipping. Dr.Buckley asked if that would be like the ear clipping on a cow or goat or something. Ms.Copeland replied yes we clip their ears a certain way so that we know identified by 09 by Animal Care. Dr.Buckley added that there are metal clip tags that are used for cattle. Ms.Copeland replied that would be a lot more money,we have discussed options to tag them when we started getting a permit. The clipping of the ears would be the most economical. Dr.Watson asked if we put the animals to sleep if they are heartworm positive. Ms.Copeland asked Mr.Noble to answer this one. Mr.Noble replied that we wouldn't normally test for the heartwworms but it is already on the test now but don't believe we haven't had any come back positive that is aware of. Ms.Copeland added that we would defer to Dr.House on that. Mr.Noble added that we just started using the triple lest We were testing for FIV;Ms.Copeland added that the only reason why we went to this test is we were able to get it at the same price. Dr.Watson added the Leukemia/Aids test is good if the heartworm dies on a cat it has no ill effect Ms.Copeland replied so this would mean no reason to put them down. Dr.Watson replied it would be nice to know if they did have it. Dr.Buckley asked how long the test took to run. Dr.Watson replied it's a blood test and takes to 6-7 minutes to get the results back. Ms.Persons asked about the 3 week requirement for vaccinations on animals coming in for surgery;if it is a feral cat and getting them fixed can they also drop them off during these times do the still fall under those requirements. The way the Humane Society use to do it if the cat came in and it was obvious that it was not feral then they would be sent away and told they would need a rabies shot first But if it was a feral they would do along with giving the rabies shot Ms.Copeland replied that this has come up before but have been nervous about not sticking to the protocol;the Animal Control Advisory Committee Meeting June ISO 2009 Matio I of-I so a 1 111111 lot-11 IL '1l it to .1 1 o e o o es I o I Schroeder stated that it is defining what everyone's role is correct. Ms.Copeland replied yes and who answers to whom. The reason is to make sure it runs smoothly so there are no fights per se in the middle of trying to get things organized.As stated before it doesn't include yet the shelter event. Dr.Watson asked about the relocation,would that be if something happened at the facility and the animals needed moving. Ms. Copeland asked if you are talking about if it is a community wide event or if it's just a shelter event.Dr. Watson replied if there was a hurricane or there like;the last time the shelter wasn't damaged but it was full and we had incoming from other areas and helping to relocate to other facilities. Ms.Copeland replied that a hurricane hit here and we began to take in animals that are displaced cause of it and became full we do have an arrangement with San Antonio,also with Houston and we could transport them. Ms.Cheryl Martinez has graciously said that she would help us with those transporting of the animals that we need to get out of the area. The state has software where they connect owners and animals thru a tracking system. We also have chameleon to where we would do everything we could with the software that we have available to tag and track the animals so we know where they go.Be able to take good pictures of them. Dr.Watson asked if it would mean relocating to high schools and would it apply to just this building. Ms.Copeland added that this is if there is a shelter event and if there is damage to the facility or a fire or if it gets damaged during a h urricane and animals need to be moved we will try to move them to the Humane Society,PALS,The Cattery; whomever we can contact that would assist in taking them. This portion has not been completed yet;so we do not have local organizations if this building caught on fire we do not have agreements at this time for other shelters to take them. Dr,Watson would we relocate just something temporary or do we have to send out for il. Ms.Copeland replied that her immediate concern would be relocating the animals that we have here.Then we would have to determine what we would go long term. That would be more fall to the City and what they are willing to put out money wise.Would they want to bring in temporary buildings,open up another City building,we will have to have cages.There will be a lot of questions that need to be answered and haven't done a lot with it at this point Ms.Copeland asked if anyone had questions,if not that we will need the handouts back. They are considered drafts and don't need to get out yet.We don't'have approval on them yet,but if Ms.Rose says that is what we have this is what we will work off of. Discussion of the August 111h meeting with veterinarians Ms.Copeland informed the committee of the meeting with the veterinarians. The following were present for the meeting on August 11"h,2009,7pm at the 61h floor City Hall.They were Dr.Mike and Ann Hughes,Dr.William Watson, Dr.Doug and Joy Posey and Dr. Roger Pigott. Ms.Copeland added that what was discussed was the dead animal pick up to make them aware of because of what we will be proposing is for every 3 animals there will be a charge of $10.00. Everyone understood the need;Dr.Hughes suggested that the City add on a.25 cent charge on to the solid waste charge that is already given to the citizens. Ms.Rose did counter with that she felt City Council would not approve that because there is already an up roar with increase with solid waste charges. Dr.Posey suggested an additional$1.00 charge to the city registration fee;my reply to him was that it would be looked into. Ms.Rose however felt that would not work either. Ms.Copeland added that she is already going to be increasing the registration fee,not the one here,the city registration tag for 1year will still be$3.00 and$10.00. We are going to be asking the City to recognize the 3 year vaccine and with that recognize the 3 year registration. The f s'far those would be$10.00 for those that are altered and those unaltered would be$35.00. This would offset any administrative fees and with this said we may have an increase in the one year registration fees. Most cities charge more than we do anyway,no we are no really compensated for the administrative fees. The increase on that end would help with the administrative. Ms.Copeland felt that eventually the one year registration will fade away. Mr.Schroeder asked what the charge was from other cities for the registration. Ms.Copeland replied that it varies;what they usually do is when you have an altered animal they will do one at a lifetime fee,but the City will not do that at this point. It is with the unaltered animals where they get into paying.They usually want around$25.00 when an animal is not altered. They also have a litter permit that you have to purchase. Ms.Copeland added that she had to be very careful in raising fees. The City Council is going to be very careful allowing me to do them. I have made it as expensive as allowable to get by with,they would not allow me to do too much. Animal Control Advisory Committee Meeting June lex.2009 I f Dr.Watson pointed out that with the fees'for the veterinarians'on pick up fees'some may be hard because most of them do not charge a disposal fee. If the animals come in hurt and put to sleep;in a sense we do the City's'job after hours,the veterinarians are not going to want to pay to do the fee for the pickup, Ms.Copeland replied that what I was explaining is that Animal Control is going out and picking up animals and we also do not charge a disposal fee to the citizens. But if you call the local vet and you ask how much it is to have your pet euthanized no one charges less than$25.00. Ms.Rose pointed out it may be a question of what terminology they are using. Euthanol and Fatal Plus, if doesn't'cost 25.00 to euthanize one animal. Dr.Watson added that if you come in to have an animal euthanized, most of the time when someone comes in for this the vet has to spend time with the owners reassuring them that they are making the right decision.There are some of us that don't charge regular clients rather than someone off the street or if someone doesn't have an appointment.You want to make sure the animals been euthanized and not someone's' pet down the street.The cost of euthanasia fee is part of the cost. If and when the charge takes place for us to pay then the vets may post a notice saying;due to the increase in pick up fees'we will be charging you a fee and that will go back to the City. Ms.Copeland replied that she had called and spoke with different cities to find out what they do. The majority of the cities one excluded which was Austin;charged local businesses to pick up dead animal carcasses. They charged more than$10.00,the rates do vary but everyone charged more than what we are setting ours. Mr. Schroeder asked if you are going to bill the clinic. Ms.Copeland replied that hasn't been determined yet,but they could either cut a check then or we could bill them. Dr.Pigott pointed out to everyone that they use to be required to take their own animals to the landfill. Ms.Copeland added that this is not something that I have been taking lightly;it is something that I have talked about for the last 3 years.When I saw that we were going up and picking up these animals;it is a time consuming process. If all the officers had to go and do is pick them up at each individual's persons home,off the street that would be one thing. But when we go to the vets'office they usually have to unload the freezers themselves,rarely are you just picking up one animal,usually its 3 sometimes up to 15 for one vet and this was talked about. Dr.Watson added that is when you have a full freezer. Ms.Copeland added that is a lot of weight for one person to handle. We seldom get any assistance and it is a time consuming process and that takes away from what the employee is doing in the field.People want to know why the animal isn't getting picked up,if you got to go to one stop and pick up 6 animals out of the freezer that takes time. I don't think it is an unreasonable fee to be charging. Dr.Watson added that what we talked about for example this happened to me other day a dog got hit by a car and was still laying there so I put in a bag to disposed of. Ms.Copeland added that if someone wants to bring an animal to you could direct them to us because we do have our dead animal drop off or we could pick it up there in front of the office. Dr.Watson added that being out in the Bluff and you have a dead animal in between your house for 2 days,you bag an animal to take to the landfill or Animal Control;they are going to ask what Animal Control is for and that is what I get asked. Ms.Copeland responded that she is not arguing that point but what I'm saying is if they were to drive it to your office or our drop off is neither here nor there. If they are going to do it,we have gotten our calls down to about 24 hours not including the weekend calls,they are fixing to go back up because of staffing. To the question what is Animal Control for,we are actually for an animal control not for dead animal pick up that is a service the City decided that they would provide. Dr.Watson added that it is a public health issue. Ms.Copeland replied that you are right but the public health issue is to the animals that are on the street. Dr.Watson added that if someone brings an animal to me then I could charge them. Mr.Schroeder asked if they are charged went brought to ACS. Ms.Copeland replied no. Mr.Schroeder asked that if he brought it to Dr.Watson then he would be charged;and for an example the vet could say I euthanized 5 dogs and had 2 drop offs. Ms.Copeland replied that this did come up and honestly do not know how other cities handle the good Samaritan issue and informed the vets'that I would look into this. Ms.Copeland pointed out that at the meeting with the vets she had informed that we would be talking about this at our meeting next month and invited them to come so we could discuss it at that time.Ms.Copeland also added that 1 will be looking into how the other cities handle it Dr.Posey seemed to be the one that really handled more of those than anybody else. Dr.Watson added that he has an emergency clinic which is why. Ms.Copeland also added that they also have an incinerator which is old that was grandfathered in and will not be able to continue that once it has to be shut down. Dr.Buckley asked if Dr,Hughes had an incinerator. Dr.Watson replied no. Ms.Copeland made comment that she was disappointed that only 4 of the vets had shown up for the meeting. Dr.Watson added that with the professional meetings that we have;we quit having them in June-August. When we had speakers we would get 7-8 people show up,between school,baseball season and people going on vacation. This was also one of the reasons why the board didn't meet in August for the same reason. Ms.Copeland replied that she remembered that then legal responded what you mean you don't meet in August. Dr.Watson added that we had a representative from Oso, Petsmart and Windsor Park.Ms.Copeland also added that the inability to get email addresses from the vets.We phoned around to get these which we got 4 or 5. Of those 2 of them came thru and the others came back because they were invalid, Dr.Watson replied that he had an email address for his office but my personal that I use. Animal Control Advisory Committee Meeting June 18'",2009 Ms.Person asked why the veterinarians put a sign out for the clients to notify them of the charges. Ms.Copeland replied they could and that's what will end up happening. Dr.Watson added that we will probably post notices in the office"effective this dale due to the charge by the City for body pick-ups we will be adding a fee'and felt that will make the City look bad. Ms.Person asked why they would do that if its only$5. Dr.Watson replied that you brought your animal in and it would make us look like money grubbers.We need to let them know why we will be doing this. Ms. Copeland added that most people don't come in on a regular basis and don't know what you charge for euthanizing an animal anyway. In all honesty the purpose of doing it to say the City did this and understand the vets informing their customers of this. Dr.Watson responded that it will probably be the customers that have brought dogs in before for this will wonder why they have to pay when they didn't before. Most of the vets will probably increase the euthanasia fees'instead of add to the bill. Those who freeze the animals are not going to be in the back of the truck smelling all day.Ms.Copeland added that there are times where she gets phone calls from the vets and get chewed out by the vets;'I have 15 animals in my freezer we called this morning and you won't be out until tomorrow, I'm sorry no we won't be out until tomorrow. Ms.Copeland pointed out that our first job is rabies control,second is controlling the animals in the street. The dead animal pick up is the low on the list for us;even with trapped animals we which took precedence today because of being short. We aren't picking the 41's today.Mr.Monreal did pick up a few and delivered what was needed to the landfill and come back and the priority was the trapped animals.Mr.Schroeder asked that is your charge to pick up from the vets'.Ms.Copeland replied yes. Dr.Buckley asked why Solid Waste couldn't do it,the dead animals do go to the landfill anyway.Ms.Copeland replied that the animals do need to be picked up separate then everything else because state law requires that when they go to the landfill it be covered immediately. Ms.Copeland added that she wasn't sure why Animal Control got charged with that pick up but they did and it's not going to go away. Dr.Watson added that I use to bring them at night and also when they were at Navigation and they just had the pit Some of them would sometime be there when I would drop off on Sunday from the ones we dropped on Friday before. Mr.Schroeder asked that they would be just dropped in. Dr.Watson yes there was a hole in the fence where you could drop the animal's right in. You would back up to the fence and drop them right in. Ms.Copeland added that when she first came.Mr.Noe yelled at me because they were throwing them on the grass out here because there was no place to put them. We had the slab put in and the bus stop on top of it and everyone screamed you can't do that because you didn't get a permit. They wanted me to hire an engineer and I'm not going to spend that kind of money when what we have is City standards because Parks and Recreation did the slab.The bus slop that was put up was to City standards and in a stand-off with Kevin Stowers with the dead animal drop off. At least it is not all over the grass anymore. Mr. Schroeder asked if he heard that the animals were thrown over the fence. Ms.Copeland replied no where the drop off is they were just throwing them on the grass;one citizen took pictures and there was 8 animals,someone had just come by and dumped them. Ms.Copeland added that at least now they are put them on the slab. Ms.Copeland added that they are picked up every day;once in the morning and if there is any in the afternoon they are picked up again. There is not an easy solution,the fact of the matter is that it is a problem and there are some animals that are good Samaritan things that the vets do and that is a legitimate concern. 1 don't mean to be disrespectful or rude but when you go in and your paying$25 and I understand that there is an office visit but you charge for services every day.. They are assuming you are going to dispose of the animal. Dr.Watson added in that they ask what will happen to them and we tell them that they we will be picked up by Animal Control and taken to the landfill. Some of them will take them home or have them cremated;there are also some that will take them out of the city to be buried,Ms, Copeland added that at this point that is not a part of the solid waste disposal,it is a separate service.I feel that it is a legitimate request that the businesses pay. Ms.Copeland also added that in the letter she explained the purpose of the meeting was to make you aware of what was going on. The last thing I like is to get told something at the last minute,l like to know when something is going to happen. Dr.Watson replied that the main concern is being notified, Oso Creek would probably get hit the hardest.Dr.Watson added that at our clinic we do 25 to 30 animals a year.Ms. Copeland replied that even at Oso Creek was concern the'good Samaritan"ones. Ms.Copeland added that Oso Creek stated it might be about$2,500 a year for him. Ms.Copeland pointed out that the purpose of the meeting did what it was supposed to do which was bring up the'good Samaritan'and will have a response to that when we go. That was why we would like more of the veterinarians to be there.Dr.Watson asked to be let know when it happens. Ms.Copeland added that the purpose was to gel feedback from the veterinarians and be able to say there are questions that there are questions that I would be able to answer. The other thing is 2 solutions came up,however they are not going to be feasible solutions for the City. If we had more people there I feel that we would have gotten more suggestions.That is the thing when you get more people then you Animal Control Advisory Committee Meeting June le.2009 have more ideas and if you have just myself then you only have my ideas. Dr.Watson added that the other topic of the feral cat program was good,but we won't bring that up because it will be another year of discussion. Ms.Copeland replied that it was a good discussion as well and I believe that Dr.Hughes was the only one wasn't for it and felt that I had answered his questions. Ms.Copeland added that she felt Dr.Hughes main concern was collectors but making assumptions that we don't enforce ordeal with but that is not the case at all. We deal with the collectors on a regular basis. We have 2 an a particular street that we have dealt very firmly with them. Dr.Watson added that he had noticed some in the Bluff had noticed an increase. Ms.Copeland added that regardless of the area the trapping and killing them isn't working.That is what they had been doing forever and yet it is being demonstrated by the area we are working on with the trap-alter-release. The colonies are stabilizing and the communities are happier.Dr.Watson added that A&M has had a problem for years. Ms.Copeland responded that they have joined us.Dr.Watson added that it's not so much collectors but the students having them then they leave and the cats stay.Ms.Copeland added that one thing that would work not only a traptalter/release program but involve the students coming in. If they were involved in feeding the colonies and doing the feeding stations and helping to identify the animals that haven't been altered yet would feel that what we would find is not only an education for them but it will occupy that need to have a pet inside the dorm. Dr.Buckley asked if they were getting off the topic. Dr.Watson replied that it is in the area of talking about the feral cats. Ms.Copeland added that she felt it was a good thing that Texas A&M had joined us is a good thing and if they address the freshman coming in it would give them the ability to participate. Dr.Watson was wondering if the results would be as good as there has been in other areas. Ms.Copeland added that College Station that they have had great results with it and believe that they have the same issue and also the students being a part of the problem. 7 Public Comments No public comments were made. S. Idenft items to be placed on then agenda Dr.Watson asked the board items what they would like to have placed on the agenda for next month. Dr.Buckley inquired of the update on the Reptile Rescue and clarify the issue. Dr.Watson added the item Ms.Beynon wanted an update on the citations,asking about numbers. Ms.Copeland replied that she should be able to provide that information for last year and possibly this year. Mr.Schroeder asked about the new board members. Ms.Copeland replied that Ms.Cheryl Martinez was appointed and Ms.Helen Sterbach. Ms.Martinez was not one of the ones that we had but she had put hers in and one of the council members decision. Dr.Buckley and Dr.Watson had concerns about when she was here before, Ms. Copeland replied that what she has seen since being here is Ms.Martinez has been a benefit to the division since she had come here. She has volunteered her time to move animals when we have had an emergency, has Dome in and helped with adoptions to Victoria. Ms.Copeland added that she didn't have the control over who gets appointed, I am not sure what happened in the past but since being here Ms.Martinez has been a very important person for this division.Dr.Watson again expressed concern. Ms.Copeland added that she has to work with the board and City Council appoints them and hopes all will continue to go well. Mr. Schroeder asked when they being on the committee,Ms.Copeland replied next month. 9 Adiournmen Dr.Buckley made a motion to adjourn,Mr.Schroeder 2nd the motion all in favor motion passed. Animal Control Advisory Committee Meeting June l8 m.2009